With CM Punk all set to take on Gunther at SummerSlam for the World Heavyweight Title, his win would be a perfect opportunity to set the stage to take the rivalry between the two largest wrestling promotions to another level.
Before we begin, we would like to clarify that this is an opinion piece.
While both stars have the top guys in their promotion, “Hangman” Adam Page‘s recent win seems to have given him the edge over his former foe.
For those unaware, back in 2022, when CM Punk was in AEW, he was set to face Page at All Out for the promotion’s World Championship.
During the build-up, Hangman Page decided to go into business for himself and cut a shoot promo stating that he would defend AEW from CM Punk.
While Punk didn’t respond in the ring, the resentment carried on with him till the post-show conference. He cut the now-infamous promo where he practically buried Page and The Young Bucks, the fallout of which caused multiple suspensions and the formation of Collison, just so that Punk could be away from all those he had a problem with.
CM Punk’s problems with the way AEW functioned never got resolved as he was let go from his contract, after which he immediately joined WWE, something fans never thought they would see again.
Why It Makes Sense For WWE To Crown CM Punk As The Champion
While it has been leading the charge, WWE observed a drop in viewership for SNME, and one of the biggest reasons for this is attributed to AEW All In.
And although they would brush it off, this reality check would prompt them to reconsider their counter-programming strategy.
Now, with SummerSlam approaching and with CM Punk in the main event, this presents a perfect opportunity for the WWE to turn the tide in their favor.
Fans are no strangers to seeing the promotions taking shots at each other; however, a Punk victory could give the Stamford-based promotion to start an all-new cold war with their Jacksonville counterparts.
Without booking a match and just letting The Second City Saint go wild on the mic, referencing but not naming Hangman Page would create the perfect storm.
Punk set the wrestling world ablaze with his pipebomb. Now imagine this, the RAW after the PLE, The Voice of the Voiceless looks into the camera and says, “With this title on my shoulders, I am going to save wrestling from some Cowboy sh*t.”
This could only be the beginning salvo, as everyone knows by now, when it comes to talking on the mic, no one does it better than the Second City saint
This would send the internet into a frenzy and help turn the tide for WWE. Why? Forget ratings, the real battle happens online every single day between fans, and a promo like this will send their tribalism into overdrive.
With only one decision, WWE could start a shadow war, which would encourage people to tune in to their product just to see what CM Punk does next.
For his part, Punk should be given total freedom; hell, he can rub it in Hangman’s face by trying to attempt a buckshot lariat, only to change his mind and hit a GTS to his opponent.
Conclusion: A Game Of Chess Between WWE and AEW
While AEW, too, could gain from this, maintaining the narrative could prove to be a task for them. Tony Khan and his crew have ‘restored the feeling’ in recent times and are riding high on some well-deserved momentum.
However, check any thread related to wrestling online, and you will have fans arguing why WWE offers the better product. If Punk is booked correctly, viewers would benefit from AEW and WWE engaging in a furious battle, but it could also give Triple H a chance to secure a big creative victory that he probably needs soon.
This win would also provide the WWE with the opportunity to take something organic, which deeply resonates with fans, and use it to their advantage.
All Elite Wrestling has been the fearless challenger brand since its inception, and with a motivated Hangman at the helm, they, too, don’t intend on backing down.
So, considering all factors, there is no better time to put the title on CM Punk than during Hangman Page’s title reign. Because at the end of the day, it helps the WWE control the conversation, something that they apparently want.
And for Punk, it’s sweet retribution.