Keep reading to read the CM Punk promo transcript from his return to wrestling after 7 years.
CM Punk returned to AEW on AEW Rampage on August 21st, 2021. This marked his long awaited return to the ring, over 7 years after he walked out on WWE after the 2014 Royal Rumble. He was absent from wrestling for that entire time, not giving any indication of a return to wrestling.
His appearance on the Colt Cabana podcast sparked controversy as he took shots at WWE, Triple H, Vince McMahon and Roman Reigns, to name but a few. The podcast went viral and his return to wrestle became less and less likely after the release of the interview.
As the years went on, fans began to lose faith. CM Punk seemed intent on staying out of the ring and no longer being a part of the world of wrestling. However, that all changed on the second episode of AEW Rampage, when CM Punk opened the show with a spectacular promo that explained his absence and revealed he was back in wrestling.
Keep on reading to see the transcript for CM Punk’s return promo to wrestling on AEW Rampage
CM Punk Promo Transcript
“You guys really know how to make a kid feel like Britt Baker in Pittsburgh. I’m winging this. We’re winging this. “We.” That’s a very important distinction. We’ll get back to it. But I didn’t plan on what I was going to say because I didn’t know what to say, because I didn’t know how I was going to feel, but I knew that I needed to feel it. I feel you, Chicago. And I hear you, Chicago.
*the crowd chants CM Punk*
That’s what I’ve heard for seven years. I heard you. I heard you. And we got a lot to cover. There’s good news and bad news. The bad news is we’re not going to get to it all right here right now. But the good news is, is I’ve got the time. Wednesday, Friday, four Sunday or Saturdays a year. I got the time, and I ain’t going anywhere.
Wait. One second. Possibly for me, the most important thing I’m going to say right now, and this is for everybody at home, this is for everybody who bought a ticket, this is for everybody in the back. If, at all through my journey, any of my personal choices or decisions related to my life made you feel disappointed or let down, let me just say… Let me just say… I understand, if you all try to understand that I was never gonna get healthy physically, mentally, spiritually, or emotionally, staying in the same place that got me sick in the first place.
Can I tell you guys a story? It’s hot in here. Hang on one second.
*Punk removes his sweatshirt, revealing a white CM Punk shirt underneath, and sits pipe bomb style in the ring*
Can I tell you a story? You see, I felt before like I had to leave. I didn’t want to, but I knew I couldn’t stay, and that was when I used to work for a place called Ring of Honor. August 13th, 2005 was my last match in Ring of Honor, and I famously came out with tears in my eyes, and walking out here today, I now know why I was crying.
And it was a lot of reasons. But what it boiled down to was, I had made a place where people could come work, get paid, learn their craft, and love professional wrestling. And I cried because I knew I was leaving a place that I love, and it was a home, and I knew where I was going, wasn’t going to be easy for a guy like me. Because I’m one of you. So I look at it like this: August 13th, 2005, I left professional wrestling.
*Punk stands back up*
August 20th, 2021. I’m back. And I’m back for you. I’m not gonna lie, I’m back for me too, and I’m back because there’s a hell of a lot of young talent that I wish I was surrounded by 10 years ago. So insane that I sit back and I say, well, hell, they’re here now, so why aren’t you? Here I am. I’m back, because I want to work with that young talent that had the same passion that I had stamped out. I’m back because there’s a couple of scores to settle in that locker room. I’m back for the young guys.
*Darby Allin and Sting are watching from the rafters*
Darby Allin. I see you. You’re good. I’ve seen you jump out of airplanes. I’ve seen you wrapped up in a body bag and chucked over the top rope. I’ve seen you kicked down a flight of stairs, and you always come back. Just like each and every person here in Chicago, you’re tough. But I’m here to help, and you’re the first on the list. I’m gonna help you because you’re a daredevil and you like danger. Well, Darby Allin, there is nothing you can do that is more dangerous than wrestling CM Punk. Except wrestling CM Punk in Chicago. I will see you, and I’ll see Sting, and I’ll see all of you September 5th. At All Out, live onn pay per view. I’m back.
Oh, one more thing. Seven years is an awful long time to wait for somebody. I appreciate everybody here who has waited. So on your way out of the United Center tonight, grab yourself a free ice cream bar on me.
CM Punk in AEW
CM Punk has excelled so far in AEW. He is currently the AEW Champion, but suffered an injury the night after winning the championship. He did not relinquish the title, but Jon Moxley became the AEW Interim Champion at Forbidden Door.
When CM Punk returns from injury, he will face Jon Moxley for the AEW Championship to decide who is the true champion.
Click here to find out when CM Punk will return from injury