CM Punk

When it comes to WWE, I will say as a long time wrestling fan (yes, wrestling fan), when I was a kid, WWF was a big part of why I am. However, there came a point and time a few months ago where I just couldn't take their programming anymore besides NXT. It wasn't because of the talented roster. God, no. WWE has some of the best talent under some of the worst creative in the history of the company dating back to its 80s golden era. Now, the WWE diehards will defend this company to their dying breath. No matter how many matches you get of The Miz against Damian Priest or Big E vs. Apollo Cruz, fans will continue to watch it repeat upon repeat. Take your medicine, devotees to us. I swear I do believe WWE tortures their audience with all these repeated matchups and rotating wins and losses scripts for their talents to remain in weeks and weeks at a time. Back in April was Wrestlemania, when Priest (and a musician named Bad Bunny) was embroiled in a feud with The Miz and his buddy, John Morrison, they had their big supposed blow-off match...and yet not even a week ago, Priest wrestled The Miz after having beat Morrison numerous times the week before. Critics call it a holding pattern, where the same performers remain in this endless loop of matches, within a neverending rivalry. When I was a kid, there were rivalries that had a beginning, middle, and end. Hulk Hogan didn't wrestle Andre the Giant or Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorff ten times in two months. Demolition and The Hart Foundation didn't wrestle week after endless week. I have started to believe that McMahon has this particular storytelling just to see how willing his fans are to suffer...perhaps he gets off on their masochism.

Okay, so on All Elite Wrestling Friday night, August 20th, there was a huge return of a wrestling star, whose Chicago fans (and many of us who really dug his gift for gab, keenly able to grab that mic stick, weave a story with his intellect and skillful ability to communicate an arc, no matter if he is a villain or hero or somewhere in between) rained cheers and got caught up in all those feels, with so much celebration in the arena at the United Center that some were even emotional. Seven years since Punk left the Royal Rumble in the WWE, saying he just had enough of their politics, deciding to take a break. He had been beaten down in misery, finally surrendering to his "sickness", breaking free from the shackles of this company withering his joy for pro wrestling. When he returned, the adulation was so electric CM Punk was overwhelmed. He dropped to his knees right after his re-introduction to fans, taking it all in. I felt something I hadn't felt in so long. I remember his "Pipe Bomb". I revisited that just a few days ago, and how Punk cut loose really knocked me for a loop. This was different than anything going on at the time because the match he interrupted was John Cena against R-Truth. 2010 wasn't exactly WWE at its best. In fact, WWE hasn't been good for a while. Bright spots here and there; sure, WWE isn't without Becky Lynch with her bloodied nose or the likes of returning Edge or Daniel Bryan from forced retirements. But CM Punk unloading on the back, letting them have it, was such a treat. Years later and WWE is a corporate bore making plenty of bank but rarely giving fans really authentic moments where we genuinely feel something significant. Roman Reigns and Edge are really bright spots because they are given more leeway, while so many others are just scripted in dull programs going nowhere.

CM Punk's return reminded me that a company allowing you to have a certain freedom (there are some restraints, such as Max Castor found out with his ill-conceived rap) and treats you with respect, giving its talent a reason to enjoy working for you -- not to mention a work schedule that isn't as grueling -- there is such a different presentation. It doesn't look like the product (or those running it) is soulless and soul-sucking. CM Punk looked as if he was released from this exile and returned to the sport anew.