When is CM Punk never not a name in the headlines, eh?

Judging from the fact that you clicked on this video today, it seems like you're a bit curious

too.

So without further ado, I am Gareth, this is What Culture Wrestling, and here it is What If

Cm Punk never returned to wrestling.

Before we jump to the What If, let's focus on the what in the hell actually happened for

a second, yeah?

It had all been quite brilliantly leading up to this very moment, you know the one I'm talking

about.

Rumours had swirled of the unthinkable arrival of a bloke who'd once turned his back

on the wrestling business for good.

Tony Carnes's company had brilliantly leaned into said rumblings with a number of quite cool

teasers with Darby Allen saying stuff like I want to take on the best in the world.

Do you remember that?

They also booked the United Center for what would be the second ever AEW Rampage.

And then they went and named it the first dance as a nod to the last dance Netflix

documentary that focused on Michael Jordan and his big old return to the Chicago Bulls, you know, a big return. Could it really be? Well, there was just enough doubt left hanging in the air there, making you think, well, have they actually just pulled a massive swerp here to fill out a massive arena? Is that what they've done? Have we just been had? But the second, the familiar cult of personality riff hit through

those speakers and ignited a Chicago crowd that went and blew a hole through the damn roof,

while this long time fantasy became the most surreal of realities, and I have known a couple

of them. CM Punk, yes, that CM Punk had returned to wrestling, and he was wearing a nice white

t-shirt with the things, it was awesome.

And that moving visual of a Phil Brooks just letting the roars of the crowd wash over him as he

...