CM Punk made his first appearance on Monday Night Raw in almost ten years (1/20/14) and cut a highly anticipated promo to close out the show. The first hour of Raw was commercial-free as WWE pushed Punk’s promo hard throughout the show.
Thanks to timing issues in the Randy Orton/Dominick Mysterio match, Punk didn’t appear until two hours and fifty-two minutes into the three-hour broadcast. Depending on who you talk to, some felt his words hit the mark, while others believe the transition to “PG Punk” is complete.
“Looks like hell froze over,” proclaimed Punk, saying he’s felt more like himself since his return at Survivor Series on Saturday and everyone is happy to see him back.
Sage advice from an “American Dream” once told him as long as you speak from the heart, you cannot go wrong because it’s the truth. And the truth is: “I’m home. This is where I belong. This is home, and I’ve been gone for ten years, and for ten years, you never forgot about me.”
Words of wisdom from a “Wise Man” told Punk that he’d have to leave to get everything he wanted out of this place, and now he’s back to get what he wants out of WWE. He gave a shoutout to his wife and former Divas Champion AJ Lee and finished by stating, “I’m not here to make friends, I’m here to make money.”
That last line is a pithy expression often cited by veteran wrestlers made famous by Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. However, many believe it was a cleverly veiled shot at his former colleagues in All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
Allegedly, those in power are more concerned about working with their friends instead of working towards the betterment of AEW. As a result, the promotion has garnered the despairing moniker “All Friends Wrestling.”
Honestly, I doubt the line had any significant meaning outside the promo’s intended message. CM Punk has returned, and he’s happy, we’re happy, and everyone’s happy he’s back.
Unfortunately, there was nothing substantial about his big return promo. It was a Kumbaya moment, nothing more. The content of the promo has led many to call Punk a neutered hypocrite who has gone soft, using the name MJF made famous in a 2021 AEW promo, “PG Punk.”
AEW let Punk do and say whatever he wanted. WWE runs a tight ship, scripting every word that is said on television. Phil Books didn’t turn himself into PG Punk; WWE did. Why? Because this is the version of Punk they believe will make them the most money.
After all of the controversy, it’s easy to understand why the first thing WWE wanted Punk to say was that he’s happy to be home and can’t wait to get started, meaning there is nothing to worry about here.
Punk was never going to bash AEW in his return promo. Doing so would convey that it’s the same old cranky Punk. Besides, it’s off-brand for WWE. Spending valuable television time insulting the competition instead of ensuring the audience that it’s all good with CM Punk is counterproductive.
Finally, Punk is not a hypocrite for going back to WWE. EVERYONE goes back eventually. He hasn’t gone soft either because he called WWE home. Punk is doing his job by saying the lines written for him. Sounds like we’re off to a tremendous drama-free start!
RingsideLogic.com 