CM Punk Reflects On One Year Anniversary Of AEW Debut

In one of the biggest moments of modern professional wrestling, CM Punk returned to the industry on the August 20, 2021, episode of Rampage at Chicago's United Center, appearing inside the squared circle on TV for the first time in seven years.

The moment seemed an impossible one only a couple of years earlier but Punk has since celebrated the one-year anniversary of his AEW debut and he reflected on the last 365 days, writing on Instagram: "One year ago began the best year of my professional career. Too many great moments, not enough space to post all the great pics. Rekindled passion, made new friends, reunited with old ones. Can't stop smiling, won't stop until the wheels fall off. Thank you most of all to all the fans who made it possible. I'm having the time of my life, as there's a drive into deep left field by Castellanos and that'll be a home run. And so that'll make it a 4-0 ballgame."

Punk has been one of AEW's top stars since making his return, featuring in high-profile feuds with Eddie Kingston and MJF, and he is the reigning AEW World Champion, having defeated Hangman Page for the gold at May's Double Or Nothing pay-per-view. Punk will defend his title for the first time in a unification match on Wednesday's episode of Dynamite against Interim AEW World Champion Jon Moxley.