CM Punk gave fans in attendance an added gift following his first WWE match in nearly a decade.
Following Punk’s shock return to WWE at Survivor Series back in November, the highly anticipated return match took place at a non-televised event in Madison Square Garden, New York City on December 26th. After the match, The Best in the World grabbed a microphone to update the fans on his plans for 2024.
As seen from fan footage at the event, Punk began by thanking the fans for continuing to support him and is grateful to wake up each day:
“Yeet! That was for my boy Uso back there. This was for all of you. I’ll be honest, there’s a little bit, a little part of me, that came here for me, but you guys are the high tide that raises all ships. You have carried me throughout my career to my greatest moments. This is one of them.
I want you to look to your left, look to your right, look behind you, say hello to your neighbours. Shake hands. We are all in this together. When I wake up in the morning and someone asks me how my day is, I say, ‘Hey, I woke up this morning.’ Everything else after that, I’m forunate for. Every day I’m in the ring in front of all of you, I’m fortunate for.
Continuing the promo, Punk stated that this is the beginning of his journey, which will continue to WrestleMania and beyond:
I came back here to finish what I started. It starts tonight in the World’s Most Famous Arena in front of you, the greatest fans on earth. I know I have stiff competition, but I’m here to finish what I started. When I win the Royal Rumble and go on to main event WrestleMania, ladies and gentlemen, I’m here to let you know that isn’t me finishing my story. That’s just me getting started,”
CM Punk Makes Triumphant Return To WWE
For the first time since 2014, CM Punk competed inside a WWE ring as a packed New York crowd watched on. Punk’s opponent for the evening was Dominik Mysterio, who was accompanied to the ring by Rhea Ripley. Unsurprisingly, Punk was the victor in his return match against The Judgment Day member, despite there being interference from Mami in the match. Punk will next compete on December 30th at a house show in Inglewood, California.
H/t to Fightful.