Bryan Danielson Reflects on Lost CM Punk Feud in AEW

Bryan Danielson Reflects on Lost CM Punk Feud in AEW

As a seasoned gamer of the squared circle, I’ve witnessed countless battles, feuds, and rivalries that have left indelible marks on the annals of professional wrestling. The saga of CM Punk and AEW is one such tale that stirs both excitement and disappointment in my heart.


As a devoted fan, I can’t help but reflect on the unforgettable CM Punk era in AEW, now a chapter in the rearview mirror. The Second City Saint, after a seven-year hiatus from professional wrestling, made his comeback with AEW in August 2021, joining the company less than three years old. Signing Punk, along with top talents like Bryan Danielson and Adam Cole, ignited a surge of success for AEW, catapulting it to the top as the must-see promotion over the next nine months, outperforming WWE in various markets. However, just three days after claiming the AEW World Title, Punk suffered a broken foot, triggering a series of events that culminated in a drawn-out separation between him and AEW, lasting nearly a year. In September 2023, Punk’s tenure with AEW came to an end, wrapping up his time with the company after just over two years, during which he was active for only half that period.

Bryan Danielson Reflects on Lost CM Punk Feud

Bryan Danielson Reflects on Lost CM Punk Feud in AEW

As a result of that tumultuous exit, AEW missed out on multiple expected CM Punk feuds.

In conversation with Inside The Ropes, AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson expressed his expectation of facing Punk within an All Elite Wrestling arena. However, despite working together in the same AEW locker room for two years, their paths never intersected on screen.

Danielson expressed that he wasn’t exactly sad, but rather disappointed because an event that he anticipated wouldn’t transpire as planned, which made him feel a sense of letdown since it seemed exciting and enjoyable.

Danielson (also known as Bryan Danielson) and Punk’s professional wrestling journeys have been closely linked over the years. They both began their careers in Ring of Honor, even engaging in a match there, with three additional singles encounters on the independent scene in the early 2000s. Their paths crossed again in WWE in 2012, leading to 24 contests that year across TV tapings, live events, and pay-per-views.

In a statement made in December 2021, Danielson expressed his long-held belief that he and Punk were meant to face off in a WrestleMania match. However, this opportunity never materialized, leaving him with the feeling of, “Wow, it’s such a perfect fit and it makes so much sense for us to have a WrestleMania match, but it just didn’t happen.

Last year, Punk was let go from AEW following an incident involving a backstage altercation at AEW ALL IN: London 2023. Bryan Danielson, who holds a significant role in AEW’s disciplinary committee, is said to have played a crucial part in the company’s decision regarding Punk’s employment. Despite their friendship, Danielson reportedly believed that terminating Punk was necessary.

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2024-09-10 17:10