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CM Punk's possible return to wrestling has been one of the most awaited events by many. Fans all over the globe have speculated whether The Voice Of The Voiceless will make his return to WWE or surprise the AEW audience and make his debut for Tony Khan's promotion.
The last time wrestling fans saw CM Punk in a match was in WWE's 2014 Royal Rumble. The former WWE Champion lasted over 49 minutes only to be eliminated by Kane, who was eliminated earlier.
It is a well-known fact that CM Punk walked out of the WWE right after the Royal Rumble that year. Since then, in many interviews, Punk has stated that if he ever returned to wrestling, it would take an exciting storyline and a lot of money.
In interviews and on his Twitter profile, CM Punk has expressed his desire to face many stars from promotions across the world. Here, we list them in no particular order.
#15 CM Punk wants to face AEW star Jungle Boy
In a Q&A session on Twitter, CM Punk answered a fan that asked him who'd he like to face from AEW. Punk named 5 AEW stars that included Jungle Boy. Jungle Boy is one of the biggest up-and-coming stars of AEW. He has participated in many exciting matches in the promotion.
A match between the veteran CM Punk and a young and talented star such as Jungle Boy would be fun to watch for any wrestling fan.
#14 Ricky Starks
Ricky Starks is another AEW star that made CM Punk's list. Starks has had an enjoyable run in AEW. He has gotten the chance to work with the likes of Sting and Taz.
While Starks hasn't yet won a major Championship in AEW, he has been involved in matches with the likes of Cody, Darby Allin and many more talented wrestlers from the promotion.
#13 Brian Pillman Jr.
Brian Pillman Jr. is a second generation wrestler and has been a part of AEW since 2019. He has had many matches for the promotion that have largely resulted in him losing his matches. He is currently part of a tag team with Griff Garrison called The Varsity Blondes.
All three youngsters mentioned here have a lot of potential in creating memorable matches with the former WWE Champion.
#12 Will we see CM Punk vs Darby Allin?
Another of CM Punk's choices, Darby Allin has become one of the biggest stars in AEW. He has faced many well-known AEW stars with one of his biggest wins coming against Cody for the TNT Championship.
In his short career in AEW, Allin has also teamed up with Sting to defeat Team Taz. A contest between Allin and CM Punk would be one for the ages and the two stars will surely push each other to the limit.
#11 Will Hobbs
In AEW, Powerhouse Hobbs has contested for the FTW Championship against Brian Cage in an unsuccessful effort. He has faced stars such as Cody, Sting and Christian during his time in AEW.
He is a well-experienced wrestler and would give CM Punk a run for his money if the two clash down somewhere down the line.
#10 The Young Bucks
The Young Bucks are a team that has wrestled all over the world. The duo have held almost every Tag Team Championship present in the wrestling promotions they have worked in.
Currently, the Young Bucks are the AEW Tag Team Champions, having won the titles at Full Gear from FTR. A program between CM Punk and the Young Bucks would draw a lot of attention from fans across the world.
#9 A match between CM Punk and Kenny Omega on the cards?
CM Punk also acknowledged Kenny Omega, possibly the biggest name in the world of pro-wrestling right now. Omega has wrestled in promotions such as NJPW, WWE, IMPACT Wrestling and many more.
Currently, Omega is signed to AEW where he is the reigning AEW World Champion. It is unfortunate that we haven't seen a match between wrestling wizards such as CM Punk and Omega before. If we are lucky, we may get a chance to watch an unforgettable classic between these two some day.
#8 Finn Balor
CM Punk, in his long career in the pro-wrestling business, has never faced The Demon King, Finn Balor. This may be due to the fact that the two stars have never been in the same promotion at the same time.
If CM Punk does decide to make his return to wrestling in the WWE, fans will be excited to have Balor throw his name in the hat of opponents for the former five-time WWE Champion.
#7 Will Ospreay
Will Ospreay is currently wrestling for NJPW, where he is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Ospreay, much like many other wrestlers on this list, has never faced CM Punk in a match.
If Punk does decide to return to wrestling, considering the current situation of the world, this match may be a long shot but not a match that only a few would want to watch.
#6 Will CM Punk face his arch nemesis John Cena?
CM Punk and John Cena have had one of the fiercest rivalries in the WWE. The two have faced each other on a number of occasions with each getting wins over the other.
One of the most memorable moments from their rivalry was when Punk beat Cena and fled the scene through the Chicago crowd with the WWE Championship after blowing a kiss to Vince McMahon.
#5 Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan vs CM Punk has always been a technical masterclass. The two wrestlers compliment each other so well that their matches are a class apart. They have been a part of various storylines and have always left the crowd content after their match. A match between the two stars would be a treat to watch for fans of any generation.
#4 Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio and CM Punk have had many matches in the past. Their rivalry included a match that saw Mysterio beat Punk and shave his head. These two wrestlers are avid risk takers and their matches have always been exciting to watch.
CM Punk shared his interest in facing Mysterio, Cena and Bryan in an interview last year.
#3 CM Punk wants a match against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania
In a Q and A session last year, CM Punk answered a fan's question regarding a possible match against Roman Reigns. The question was regarding WrestleMania 37.
We're not sure whether Punk was kidding about this one or if he really is open to a match against the current Universal Champion some time down the line.
#2 Samoa Joe
Unfortunately, Samoa Joe was recently released by the WWE right after WrestleMania. When The Samoan Submission Machine was forced to leave WWE, a fan asked CM Punk and Joe whether there was a chance to watch another Punk vs Joe classic.
Punk answered the fan's question saying anything is possible. Is this a sign that Punk will make his return and face Joe sometime in the future? Well, in CM Punk's words, anything is possible.
#1 Triple H
Had CM Punk not made his untimely exit from WWE, it looked like he was going to face the COO of WWE, Triple H at WrestleMania XXX. Triple H and CM Punk had been going at it for quite some time before Punk's exit back in 2014.
In an interview, Punk had stated that a match against Triple H makes the most sense if he makes his return to WWE.
If CM Punk does return to wrestling, who do you think he should face?
