CM Punk and AEW had an eventful week filled with controversy, backstage fights and rumors. All of this somewhat overshadowed All In, which saw 81,000 people fill Wembley Stadium on Sunday, just as “Brawl Out” consumed All Out 2022.
AEW has since suspended Punk, and it appears unlikely that he will be part of All Out on Sunday at the United Center. It’s a loss for pro wrestling fans of Chicago who bought tickets to see the Real World Champion, and Ricky Starks may have taken the biggest hit of all from the ordeal.
Between conflicts, Punk, introduced by Ace Steele, spoke at Cauliflower Alley Club’s Annual Awards Banquet for over 40 minutes in an appearance that had been scheduled since May. In his speech, he addressed that while some people don’t like him, he values the pro wrestling legends who stand by him (h/t Haus of Wrestling for transcription).
“I know throughout my career, I probably rubbed some people the wrong way,” Punk began. “Some people like me, some don’t. What I’ve always had was the backing of legends. Teal, your father, who’s my hero, Roddy Piper. Roddy Piper is the reason I’m a wrestler today, and I remember the last time I saw him, he told me he was proud of me.
When people tell me that they don’t like me, or the internet’s mad at me. I just kind of chuckle because Roddy Piper liked me. Dusty Rhodes liked me, and the backing of Harley Race before I even went to the WWE. To me, that means more than all the money in the world, but because these legends put their stamp on me before anybody knew who I was. It gave me the confidence, and it gave me the ability to succeed in a place where I didn’t think I’d ever fit in.”
Punk has faced plenty of detractors this past year, but he appreciates those who have supported him throughout his pro wrestling career. It’s difficult to deny his career success, and those who have helped him along the way clearly impacted his work.