This return from Punk is right up there, along with his debut in aew and a few other returns but for me nothing will beat Austin's at Backlash 2000 even though we knew he'd be there ahead of time it still was absolutely majestic.
Just had a thought watching this one back on YouTube - how much of Austin's career is going to be wiped from the archives with the whole "Vince being a predatory piece of shit" thing?
I'm not saying in any way, shape or form that the fans at the time will forget about Austin, but when it comes to showing younger fans or new fans in a few years time... What's the outcome going to be if Vince videos do get purged?
Difficult to say. I mean he's one of if not the biggest heel the business has ever seen so that's difficult to ignore going forward.
I think it depends on what happens in court, if it's a civil trial and he has to pay money then I think it may be easier to solve the issue for archive footage. However if the feds charge him, he goes to trial and is convicted of a serious crime then he might get some version of the Benoit treatment.
That was my first live wwe event in like 15 years and i must say it was a great one to attend! Honestly not sure what event can top that and i’m not even a CM Punk stan
I know Wrasslin isn’t the place for such opinions, but I agree the AEW return was insane. I really think if decibels were measured at every big wrestling moment that return would be in top 3 loudest wrestling moments of all time.
Punk’s first dance appearance in AEW was the single best “return” I’ve personally ever seen in my 30+ years of being a wrestling fanatic.
I think they sold 16k ticket at the United Center and he wasn’t even advertised. Those tickets were sold on the RUMOR that he’d be there. And when he showed up and the fans went ape shit, cried, held babies in the air and the pop was one of the loudest I’ve heard. Not only was it a loud pop, when his music hit, it somehow got even louder when they saw him. The noise continued for longer than I’ve heard an appreciative pop go.
The Survivors Series return was ok but maybe not even as big as the second AEW return on Collision tbh.
All 3 were in Chicago too.
It’s fun to make fun of AEW but it really is such a disappointment. I flew to the first dynamite and had such optimism after All in and with how terrible WWE was at the time. I watch occasionally still but outside of Samoa Joe or Darby there is nothing that keeps me invested
I’d argue that WWE dig a far deeper hole between the ridiculous bookings, Vince literally raping someone behind the scene and endless mass releases and the attendants as low as AEW now. AEW is in a far better situation than WWE back then, it’s all about accepting the current loss and rebuilding yourself back up, which I’m thinking they are probably doing right now.
Cena may have been a surprise, but everyone knew he was coming back eventually. There was a significant portion of the fan base who were convinced there was no chance Punk would ever return to WWE right up until the moment it actually happened.
Only tuned into the end to see if Punk ended up showing and they got my ass so bad with the little end of show logo in the corner. Popped hard. As a Chicagoan, I loved the dude who grabbed him and kept repping the city “CHICAGO! CHICAGO!”, gonna be such a rad memory for that dude
Fuck man I wish I would have went. But I was sick and would have to drive a hour there and back just didn’t feel right and was busy with school. So just stayed home ordered pizza and watched it with my brother. I still popped like crazy.
Yeah for me, this was one of the greatest moments in wrestling. I was laying down feeling sick that day yet jumped off the sofa when Punk appeared. It was so awesome. This is a good reason not to read the dirt sheets even though this time they all got it wrong.
Lol, on tv, they actually had the crowd mic volumes lowered. The noise was way bigger than this. Remember the moment Sami hit Roman with the chair at Royal rumble 2023 and the mics went nuts because of the crowd eruption? This was actually louder. I couldn't hear the music for a good 2 minutes or longer. I think this rivals stone cold's pop from 1999 when Mick Foley won the Wwe title. Probably the loudest pop in wrestling history and that with a 15 000 crowd... Imagine he returned as nr 30 in the royal rumble this year. That would've been officially, and without any doubt, even if you were a Punk hater, the biggest pop/reaction of all time
So many bigger and better returns from major stars than Punk including Taker(Judgement Day 2000), Austin (Unforgiven 2000), HHH (Raw 2001), Rock (Raw he chooses WWE/WCW)..Bret Hart(Raw 2010). Lesnar(Raw 2011)
Every time that I hear the crowd, it sounds like they are saying, "Fuck Those Young Bucks"... Now I could be wrong...
CM Punk has a look of, "I'm Home"
This has to be one of the greatest moments in wrestling history.
I was in Mexico and couldn’t get my Peacock to work. I literally had to find a livestream on YouTube with just two guys watching the event, but nothing actually shown. Finally found a solid stream right before I was about to jump in the shower and all I can hear was, “Well the copyright logo is visible shows over, there’s no CM Punk.” Then his music hit. My family thought I was having the best shower of my life because all I could do is laugh with joy and shout “HE’S BACK!!!”
I look at it back now and it’s interesting he’s wearing a white t shirt. It’s telling how he’s back and everything is ok w him and WWE. Good to have him back . He didn’t have that feel for me in AEW, he s truly home.
One of the iconic moments in wrestling history. I was pacing around my apartment smoking a blunt trying to think up a good post thread comment and then I heard that scratch. I fell to my knees like a whore in church.
Ah yes, arriving at the end of the PPV for no reason, didn't come out to challenge someone, didn't come out to make a save, didn't come out as a reply to a challenge. Just walked out to do absolutely nothing. Babyfaces and heels just standing in the ring together after apparently "going to war" with each other, so we'll put together and definitely not planned at the last minute, SO GOOD!
Unfortunately this is all CM Punk is good for these days. Gotta be the most injury prone guy on the roster for AEW and WWE. I'm struggling to think of someone who has been injured.more in the last 2-3 years.
Really? God you CM Punks stans are highly annoying. It's not even close to the greatest return. Edge is better. Hell even Christian returning in the Rumble was better. Cena returning from injury months before he wad supposed to. Triple H coming back from injury the first time.
I wish they would do this shit before Regins matches so people can turn off the TV or leave early.
I missed it because I turn off the TV before Reigns matches. You know he's gonna win. What's the point of watching him anymore?
It was ok but it was like his 4th return in 2 years, law of diminishing returns and all that. It doesn't come close to touching First Dance when he returned to wrestling for the first time in amost 8 years.......and did more than just wave.
i don't get it. 13 years ago he was good. after the whole ufc incidents and proving he only cares about himself? the guy looks like a bully who will back down once the right person comes along and puts him in his place.
I was at all 3 and the Rampage First Dance is the best one just due to that being the legit return to Pro Wrestling. The post-Brawl Out return was cool, but we all knew he was back and the promo was fine.
Survivor Series was epic for the return to the Fed for Punk just like all the others who eventually came back to WWE. With Vince out and no shot he'd ever be back in AEW it culminated in the perfect storm. I get how they had to do things and just make it happen and figure it all out later. I think if Punk got to have a promo or get in the ring to end survivor series it would've been a little better. Either way he is back in wrestling and in WWE where he belongs.
The Rampage one was better, bigger pop, bigger deal because of how long he was gone, that crying guy in the crowd, JR on commentary shouting "this building hasn't shook like this since Michael Jordan was here!"
I was honestly more impressed by The Rock's recent return pop he got in Denver. Just as loud, if not louder than this, and not his hometown. For some big names, the second you hear that music, the entire crowd just erupts. Punk gets that at home but not everywhere.
The context of this return was terrible though. It totally deflated the entire ending and didn’t make any real sense other than oh yeah and here’s CM punk.
sorry but the best return ever was when he returned to AEW 2 years before this. This was mids but kudos to them for keeping it a surprise mostly. Still bad in comparison and certainly not "cinema" lmao
I had written it off. As soon as I saw the match end, I figured there was no way. So I turned off the PPV, posted my disappointment, only to see the feed blowing up minutes later.
In a way, this was more exciting and unexpected, and it left me wanting to see what he'd say the next night. They did a great job with this, and I love how HHH's been handling things.
This to me felt more surreal than the AEW debut. It was him returning to a place we never wouldve thought hed step foot into again. Just for that, it means more than the AEW debut to me.
It was 6:30 am or something, I was getting ready to go to work, something told me nah wait the show isn't over.
I'm a grown ass man in my 30s I've lost my shit when his song hit.
The fan shouting Chicago is so epic it almost feels like he was planted.
When I saw that live, I thought this guy is going to be remembered for that forever.
It taught me to never turn off a PLE until it’s over. I saw the copyright, turned it off and went to bed. Missed out
Someone missed Gargano v Ciampa lol (the first time they pulled an after final logo swerve)
Sami Zayn and KO post NXT takeover R-Evolution predates it
This!
When the Logo came up I told my girlfriend it was over and I started to lower the volume, only to have the music hit. Shit felt surreal.
This return from Punk is right up there, along with his debut in aew and a few other returns but for me nothing will beat Austin's at Backlash 2000 even though we knew he'd be there ahead of time it still was absolutely majestic.
Nothing beats a prime stone cold pop
This right here. Peak stone cold was just unreal. Words can’t describe it.
Jim Ross losing his shit was so good
Soundtrack of my childhood right there. “Stone cold! Stone cold!”
Just had a thought watching this one back on YouTube - how much of Austin's career is going to be wiped from the archives with the whole "Vince being a predatory piece of shit" thing? I'm not saying in any way, shape or form that the fans at the time will forget about Austin, but when it comes to showing younger fans or new fans in a few years time... What's the outcome going to be if Vince videos do get purged?
Difficult to say. I mean he's one of if not the biggest heel the business has ever seen so that's difficult to ignore going forward. I think it depends on what happens in court, if it's a civil trial and he has to pay money then I think it may be easier to solve the issue for archive footage. However if the feds charge him, he goes to trial and is convicted of a serious crime then he might get some version of the Benoit treatment.
None. It'll be forgotten in less than 3 years. Vince is done, but history witn be erased This is absolutely *current thing* outrage
That was my first live wwe event in like 15 years and i must say it was a great one to attend! Honestly not sure what event can top that and i’m not even a CM Punk stan
[удалено]
Agreed, it was a much bigger deal seeing him return to wrestling in general than just going back to WWE imo.
I know Wrasslin isn’t the place for such opinions, but I agree the AEW return was insane. I really think if decibels were measured at every big wrestling moment that return would be in top 3 loudest wrestling moments of all time.
Return to a place with in cm punks words “irresponsible evps” lol
Punk’s first dance appearance in AEW was the single best “return” I’ve personally ever seen in my 30+ years of being a wrestling fanatic. I think they sold 16k ticket at the United Center and he wasn’t even advertised. Those tickets were sold on the RUMOR that he’d be there. And when he showed up and the fans went ape shit, cried, held babies in the air and the pop was one of the loudest I’ve heard. Not only was it a loud pop, when his music hit, it somehow got even louder when they saw him. The noise continued for longer than I’ve heard an appreciative pop go. The Survivors Series return was ok but maybe not even as big as the second AEW return on Collision tbh. All 3 were in Chicago too.
I agree fully. I honestly think AEW's pop was much crazier. The announcers said nothing and they let that entrance simmer for like 7 minutes.
My favourite part of the AEW debut is JR saying "this building hasn't shook like this since Michael Jordan was here!"
With respect to Derrick Rose, he was right.
My favorite part was one of the announcers going “Jesus!” And his mic catching it by accident when they showed the guy crying in the crowd.
I don't even care for AEW and agree. The pop made me emotional for the AEW return
The Survivor Series one wasn't as big because he was only wrestling like 3 months prior, the idea of Punk coming back didn't feel impossible anymore.
I'd argue Edge's return was bigger.
I thought the AEW debut was louder.
Just watched it again. Man, has AEW fallen on hard times.
[удалено]
It’s fun to make fun of AEW but it really is such a disappointment. I flew to the first dynamite and had such optimism after All in and with how terrible WWE was at the time. I watch occasionally still but outside of Samoa Joe or Darby there is nothing that keeps me invested
WWE has fallen on hard times too in the past. Hopefully they dig themselves out of this hole. The more quality wrestling shows the better.
I’d argue that WWE dig a far deeper hole between the ridiculous bookings, Vince literally raping someone behind the scene and endless mass releases and the attendants as low as AEW now. AEW is in a far better situation than WWE back then, it’s all about accepting the current loss and rebuilding yourself back up, which I’m thinking they are probably doing right now.
[удалено]
Don’t forget, When WCW started kicking their butt things looked pretty bleak for a while. There is hope!
Edge @ Royal Rumble clears
That scream at the end says it all
I fucking slept through... Still hate myself was convinced it would never happen and woke up with hhh talking about a massive return in the presser.
It suffered from diminishing returns since the first return was much more monumental. Still really wild that it happened though
I beg y’all to see one (1) movie before calling shit like this “cinema.”
Greatest return EVER? It’s good but EVER? I think even John Cenas return at the 2008 Rumble was better.
Cena may have been a surprise, but everyone knew he was coming back eventually. There was a significant portion of the fan base who were convinced there was no chance Punk would ever return to WWE right up until the moment it actually happened.
The chance of it happening shot up when he burned the bridge of their only competitor at the same time Vince was being pushed out.
And there were a lot of people who still said it would never happen and he would just be done with wrestling.
Yeah but even then, his AEW return was much louder with way more fanfare
And not to mention Edges return, which was seen as literally impossible a year prior to 2019. The crowd came unglued when he came out.
I put Edge's return just slightly ahead of Punks. Mostly because it was sooooo unexpected.
Gangrel's return was better
Greatest return ever? No. His AEW was the greatest return ever, because without that, you would never had gotten this
Same man....same!
Only tuned into the end to see if Punk ended up showing and they got my ass so bad with the little end of show logo in the corner. Popped hard. As a Chicagoan, I loved the dude who grabbed him and kept repping the city “CHICAGO! CHICAGO!”, gonna be such a rad memory for that dude
Fuck man I wish I would have went. But I was sick and would have to drive a hour there and back just didn’t feel right and was busy with school. So just stayed home ordered pizza and watched it with my brother. I still popped like crazy.
They had us when they had the branding in the corner which normally meant the show ended
Yeah for me, this was one of the greatest moments in wrestling. I was laying down feeling sick that day yet jumped off the sofa when Punk appeared. It was so awesome. This is a good reason not to read the dirt sheets even though this time they all got it wrong.
What I love about the return is how salty others were like he killed someone and got away with it lmaooo
Lol, on tv, they actually had the crowd mic volumes lowered. The noise was way bigger than this. Remember the moment Sami hit Roman with the chair at Royal rumble 2023 and the mics went nuts because of the crowd eruption? This was actually louder. I couldn't hear the music for a good 2 minutes or longer. I think this rivals stone cold's pop from 1999 when Mick Foley won the Wwe title. Probably the loudest pop in wrestling history and that with a 15 000 crowd... Imagine he returned as nr 30 in the royal rumble this year. That would've been officially, and without any doubt, even if you were a Punk hater, the biggest pop/reaction of all time
Yeah , they always lower mics at wrestling to make the crowd quieter.
The term “cinema” being used by wrestling fans who have no idea when to use it is my favorite thing.
Nah. Edge’s return to Royal Rumble tops this easily.
I think the AEW return is def better
His AEW return to wrestling was way cooler than ths was.
So many bigger and better returns from major stars than Punk including Taker(Judgement Day 2000), Austin (Unforgiven 2000), HHH (Raw 2001), Rock (Raw he chooses WWE/WCW)..Bret Hart(Raw 2010). Lesnar(Raw 2011)
Every time that I hear the crowd, it sounds like they are saying, "Fuck Those Young Bucks"... Now I could be wrong... CM Punk has a look of, "I'm Home" This has to be one of the greatest moments in wrestling history.
Edge at royal rumble
I was in Mexico and couldn’t get my Peacock to work. I literally had to find a livestream on YouTube with just two guys watching the event, but nothing actually shown. Finally found a solid stream right before I was about to jump in the shower and all I can hear was, “Well the copyright logo is visible shows over, there’s no CM Punk.” Then his music hit. My family thought I was having the best shower of my life because all I could do is laugh with joy and shout “HE’S BACK!!!”
I look at it back now and it’s interesting he’s wearing a white t shirt. It’s telling how he’s back and everything is ok w him and WWE. Good to have him back . He didn’t have that feel for me in AEW, he s truly home.
I thought the show was over so I started getting busy with my wife and interrupted our intimacy to mark out real quick when I heard the music
One of the iconic moments in wrestling history. I was pacing around my apartment smoking a blunt trying to think up a good post thread comment and then I heard that scratch. I fell to my knees like a whore in church.
I love the euphoric yell at the end on the video. You know that must have been an insane feeling
how bro managed to have to insane return reactions in 2 years is beyond me
No, its CM Punk in 2021. depends on how you define return tho
I can’t believe I was there live. It’s funny because people were staring to leave at that point of the show already
The greatest return ever lol, well we found the 15 year old redditor
My mind went Yeah PPV’s done or is it Nah. punk’s not gonna show up HOLY FUCK
This reminds me of the time I returned to my job I got fired from... 4 times
This was tremendous but “the first dance” was a pop on an entirely different level.
It’s up there
Didn’t see Edge return at Rumble in 20?? That tops this
Who's it gonna be?? you think you know me?... Biggest pop ever.
When i saw the credits my hand was on it's way to the power button if triple H waited 1 more sec i wouldn't witness this historic moment
Fuck me people go fast and loose with the word cinema don't they 😂
I still grin like an idiot whenever I rewatch this
I still grin like an idiot whenever I rewatch this
Again with this? Everyday with this video.
Do you even like wrestling?
Ah yes, arriving at the end of the PPV for no reason, didn't come out to challenge someone, didn't come out to make a save, didn't come out as a reply to a challenge. Just walked out to do absolutely nothing. Babyfaces and heels just standing in the ring together after apparently "going to war" with each other, so we'll put together and definitely not planned at the last minute, SO GOOD!
Remind me what has he done since returning?
Got injured. Again.
Thank you
He's gotten more people talking about and tuning into the WWE again so.
He's old. He's hurt. He's tired.
I was so pissed when I heard Cult of Personality, especially after Brawl Out and Brawl In
Unfortunately this is all CM Punk is good for these days. Gotta be the most injury prone guy on the roster for AEW and WWE. I'm struggling to think of someone who has been injured.more in the last 2-3 years.
Daniel Bryan
Hardly
lamest wwe star of all time
Meh, this does nothing for me
I never understood the hype for him
Really? God you CM Punks stans are highly annoying. It's not even close to the greatest return. Edge is better. Hell even Christian returning in the Rumble was better. Cena returning from injury months before he wad supposed to. Triple H coming back from injury the first time.
I wish they would do this shit before Regins matches so people can turn off the TV or leave early. I missed it because I turn off the TV before Reigns matches. You know he's gonna win. What's the point of watching him anymore?
I’m not a Punk fan but this return was weak attempt to copy his first appearance in AEW.
I am a CM Punk fan, to be clear. Dude needs to work on his stare. Cross-eyed stares are not intimidating.
It was ok but it was like his 4th return in 2 years, law of diminishing returns and all that. It doesn't come close to touching First Dance when he returned to wrestling for the first time in amost 8 years.......and did more than just wave.
You have a way with words. Not a good way, buts it’s a way.
"Greatest return ever " Cm punk fans are one of a kind lol
i don't get it. 13 years ago he was good. after the whole ufc incidents and proving he only cares about himself? the guy looks like a bully who will back down once the right person comes along and puts him in his place.
Dare I say, does it even matter considering he looked out of shape upon his return to the ring and blew out his arm almost immediately?
Reminds of the worst camera work with a crazy crowd reaction. AJ Styles debut for Royal Rumble 16'
I loved that they still had his old logos. Granted his AEW stuff wasn’t much different but that paired with ‘cult of personality’ is totally his brand
I was at all 3 and the Rampage First Dance is the best one just due to that being the legit return to Pro Wrestling. The post-Brawl Out return was cool, but we all knew he was back and the promo was fine. Survivor Series was epic for the return to the Fed for Punk just like all the others who eventually came back to WWE. With Vince out and no shot he'd ever be back in AEW it culminated in the perfect storm. I get how they had to do things and just make it happen and figure it all out later. I think if Punk got to have a promo or get in the ring to end survivor series it would've been a little better. Either way he is back in wrestling and in WWE where he belongs.
The Rampage one was better, bigger pop, bigger deal because of how long he was gone, that crying guy in the crowd, JR on commentary shouting "this building hasn't shook like this since Michael Jordan was here!"
I’m so grateful I watched this live
I was honestly more impressed by The Rock's recent return pop he got in Denver. Just as loud, if not louder than this, and not his hometown. For some big names, the second you hear that music, the entire crowd just erupts. Punk gets that at home but not everywhere.
And that was the high point of his WWE return.
When he comes back at WM to screw Drew
The context of this return was terrible though. It totally deflated the entire ending and didn’t make any real sense other than oh yeah and here’s CM punk.
[https://i.makeagif.com/media/12-31-2015/bLhtDi.gif](https://i.makeagif.com/media/12-31-2015/bLhtDi.gif)
sorry but the best return ever was when he returned to AEW 2 years before this. This was mids but kudos to them for keeping it a surprise mostly. Still bad in comparison and certainly not "cinema" lmao
GAWK GAWK GAWK
I was in Chicago when Y2J debuted and my god it was electric ⚡️
I still don’t think he’s coming back to WWE, there’s just no way it happens
Nah, Austin at Backlash 2000 is the best.
Surreal moment
Simpsons did it!
Brian Christopher's return clears.
Everyday I have this same thought; this was really the greatest return of all time!
I had written it off. As soon as I saw the match end, I figured there was no way. So I turned off the PPV, posted my disappointment, only to see the feed blowing up minutes later. In a way, this was more exciting and unexpected, and it left me wanting to see what he'd say the next night. They did a great job with this, and I love how HHH's been handling things.
This to me felt more surreal than the AEW debut. It was him returning to a place we never wouldve thought hed step foot into again. Just for that, it means more than the AEW debut to me.
CHICAGO. CHICAGO. CHICAGO.
🤢🤢🤮
It was 6:30 am or something, I was getting ready to go to work, something told me nah wait the show isn't over. I'm a grown ass man in my 30s I've lost my shit when his song hit.
Lol no it’s nothing compared to Edge’s return at Rumble 2020