Tony Khan’s tweet makes it sound like he expects Punk to move the needle, presumably by bringing in lapsed WWE fans? I feel this is a big expectation that might not pan out the way he wants it to. The first couple of Dynamite episodes are going to be crucial to get everyone’s attention.

CM FUCKING PUNK is making me sign up to FITE TV.

Aug 20, 2021 6:47:10 GMT Todd said:

Tony Khan’s tweet makes it sound like he expects Punk to move the needle, presumably by bringing in lapsed WWE fans? I feel this is a big expectation that might not pan out the way he wants it to. The first couple of Dynamite episodes are going to be crucial to get everyone’s attention.

To respond to your post...

Aug 20, 2021 8:40:17 GMT WMS said:

CM FUCKING PUNK is making me sign up to FITE TV.

^this

And WMS isn't the only one. I've seen multiple people say the same thing around the internets. I'm seeing people posting about CM Punk saying they are tuning in to watch a wrestling show tonight for the first time in forever. One person didn't even know who CM Punk was because they haven't watched since the 90's, but the hype is real and they want to see what's up.

You're not wrong though. It's one thing to get a big spike for Rampage tonight when it's on at 10pm and not competing with anything, it's another to carry that viewership into All Out and hang onto it. They have to ride this wave and keep people invested. I think they will. More often than not Dynamite is a good show. As long as none of the next few episodes are stinkers they should be fine.

I don't really crave seeing CM Punk. I'll enjoy him, but I haven't really missed him. So I'm not hyped for him, but I'm hyped about the hype.

Punk always felt huge in wrestling but not outside. Kind of like Bret. I hope I’m wrong. I would imagine a lot of the fans that the pipe bomb resonated with either watch AEW or have tried it and don’t like it. We’ll see. There will obviously be a huge bump for a couple of weeks, hype about the return. I also think there is a lot more casual interest in wrestling these days than people give credit for. People take the piss out of today’s ratings but people consume so much online now. Anyone can watch AEW clips on Reddit five minutes after they’ve aired and WWE are so good on YouTube it completely disincentives people from watching the TV.

So maybe Punk can convert some of those people. I really, really hope so. I’m hyped for tonight.

Aug 20, 2021 16:19:36 GMT Todd said:

Punk always felt huge in wrestling but not outside. Kind of like Bret. I hope I’m wrong. I would imagine a lot of the fans that the pipe bomb resonated with either watch AEW or have tried it and don’t like it. We’ll see. There will obviously be a huge bump for a couple of weeks, hype about the return. I also think there is a lot more casual interest in wrestling these days than people give credit for. People take the piss out of today’s ratings but people consume so much online now. Anyone can watch AEW clips on Reddit five minutes after they’ve aired and WWE are so good on YouTube it completely disincentives people from watching the TV.

So maybe Punk can convert some of those people. I really, really hope so. I’m hyped for tonight.

Also keep in mind that Tony seems to be alluding to another signing other than Punk and Bryan. I can't find the post on wreddit because it's being flooded with new posts today but yeah, there's another big name coming it seems. Probably Adam Cole.

...

Khan confirms Punk is coming tonight without actually saying the words.

v.redd.it/es2kmyiccji71

wrestlingnews.co/aew-news/tony-khan-says-tonights-aew-rampage-will-have-a-unique-format-for-cm-punks-return-to-pro-wrestling/

Bryan could be the biggest factor. He really feels like a WWE guy that could take a few fans with him. I read somewhere Vince is more worried about Bryan than Punk, I kind of get it. He’s pissed about both of them though, no doubt. 😂

What I’ve watched of AEW in the past I really enjoyed - Hangman Page and Jungle Boy especially - bud I’ve been terrible for tuning in to Dynamite every Friday night on ITV4. The Punk signing and Bryan coming in changes all that. I fell out of love with watching wrestling each week when Punk left. Still watched occasional bits, Mania each year obviously, and Bryan’s stuff in particular. But Punk being back on board has got me more excited than anything since the summer of 2011 after he dropped the pipe bomb. It’s a ten year odyssey. I can’t wait to hear the pop, see him back in that ring, hear that first promo, then tune in for All Out for his return match. I couldn’t care for if it moves the needle, I just know Punk will deliver fantastic must-see content, regardless of numbers and demography. That’s all I want as a wrestling fan.

So this is very exciting. I don't imagine anything beyond a several months program (hat trick to Summer of Punk... once in each major company lol) but it's enough for me to pay attention when I've essentially written off wrestling in general.

As things get closer, I think Punk and Omega will deliver a fantastic match in the near future with some hilarious promos. This version of Kenny seems perfect for Punk. Punk and MJF I can see doing some hilarious work together as well.

We know he's doing a program with Darby and we have to assume he'll do something with The Elite/Omega. Who else? Cody once he's done with Black? Black himself?

Punk has such weird ideas and tastes I could see him wanting to do something crazy like fight Jake Roberts or Arn or something. :lol: Or bust out his luchador mask and join Dark Order completely randomly. They're just like "who's that guy?" and Colt is all suspicious of him.

Given recentish history, I don't see Canaba and Punk working together. Having said that, I'm all for Punk/Omega, Punk/Andrade, Punk/Hangman and course another Punk/Danielson match.

I would like to see Punk in more of a manager roles only working PPVs or big matches. He can get a lot of guys over.

I wonder what incarnation of Punk we'll get in AEW?

Punk signed with AEW?

Aug 20, 2021 23:10:36 GMT 🤯 said:

Punk signed with AEW?

The man signing the contract isn't CM Punk, but Phillip Brooks!

Aug 20, 2021 23:21:33 GMT @ness said:

Aug 20, 2021 23:10:36 GMT 🤯 said:

Punk signed with AEW?

The man signing the contract isn't CM Punk, but Phillip Brooks!

Sure! next, you're gonna tell me Sting is just a random old man named Steve.

Aug 20, 2021 23:25:35 GMT Ed said:

Aug 20, 2021 23:21:33 GMT @ness said:

The man signing the contract isn't CM Punk, but Phillip Brooks!

Sure! next, you're gonna tell me Sting is just a random old man named Steve.

Nah, pretty sure Sting is a singer bruh.

Old man? He's only been wrestling since 2005 according to Lionheart.

Aug 20, 2021 3:55:13 GMT RT said:

I'm going to cum tomorrow

What did Miz and Morrison do wrong?

Even though it is almost a certainty do you think people would be disappointed if just Brian just appears tonight?

Shattered Dreams 2.0 in that case.

Aug 21, 2021 0:25:58 GMT @ness said:

Shattered Dreams 2.0 in that case.

I beg to differ.

Wtf pw. How did thia thread get onto miz and seven? Fuckin weirdos

For people waiting, Punk did Oral Sessions. Interesting stuff, SHIELD was supposed to be Seth, Mox and Hero. Also revealed Renee was who got Punk back in WWE.

Aug 20, 2021 23:59:55 GMT @ness said:

Old man? He's only been wrestling since 2005 according to Lionheart.

HOLY SHIT CM PUNK IS SIGNING WITH AEW!? I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT HOW HE LIKELY HAS THAT OPTION YESTERDAY AND TELLING MY WIFE I WISH HE WOULD.

Oh, and Daniel Bryan too? No way. These must be lies.

Is this performance art

By Lionheart

?

So curious to see the ratings. And to see who WWE releases next week in a rage for letting this happen.

SRS is reporting as well as Punk and Bryan there is another major signig coming to AEW. Is there anyone that could mean other than Adam Cole?