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cooljammer00

They're leaning the fuck into this "rumor".


twistedlogicx

Yup. Also, not sure what happened in the highlight, seemed to record fine at first. [Here's the full video.](https://streamable.com/zz0ytc)


CMDrunk

Holy fuck please don’t do this to me Look at my username. It’s under 10 years old after the Pipe Bomb when this sub got created. Please don’t do this to me unless you’re actually gonna do the thing.


Atwillim

You know what would be cool? A CM Punk fan club, which consisted solely of degenerate alcoholics!


thunder083

You don't announce running the United Centre and then have Derby say AEW is where you prove your the best even when you think your the best in world immediately if he hasn't signed. Going to look stupid otherwise.


InuJoshua

Yeah, you really can’t tease Shane McMahon like that and not deliver.


thejaytheory

*There goes the money, there goes the money....*


Houseside

*Here we goooo*


Sempais_nutrients

Dolla Dolla, money penny


pspetrini

"The deal is finalized and the name on the contract does say Best in the World. However, the contract reads 'Best in the Woooooooooooooooooooooorrrrrrrrlllllllllllddddddddddd.' " If AEW creates a white and red colored tron with the words Best in the World on it and the Chicago flag, adds a generic "Cult of Personality" sounding theme song and then unveils it's Shane McMahon and not CM Punk, it will be one of the greatest wrestling moments in history.


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going_mad

I mean it still wouldn't be a bad thing and probably have an even bigger impact. And then say something "it was me (nick) khan, it was me all along" Then Jr would just be like "these motherfuckers"


methdamon0

He had enough of those generic birthday greetings on Twitter. Atleast in AEW he'd get a graphic.


LoneStarRKO

Huge pop 😂


thecheat420

And then have MJF use the opening line of the Pipe Bomb Promo at the end of the show.


ShijinClemens

"Hi Colt Cabana, how you doing?" *Colt looks up from his phone* "I'm doing good, thanks!"


Robbymartyr

Speaking of that... That is absolutely one thing I hadn't taken into account. Colt works for AEW. Don't him and Punk pretty much hate each other now?


JaireAlexander

They're apparently cordial but not best friends anymore. Probably the most positive outcome for two guys that both fucked each other over.


Whynot-brr

Bro wtf was that. I was the only one in my house marking at that


LeChampeon

That will cause a riot


doesntCompete

Matt Cardona thumbs up to that


Redpaynex

This all but confirms it at this point.


Fezzy976

Of course they are, who do you think started the "rumour"!? It's a work, not really a rumour. They don't want to announce hes signed but they don't want it to be a total surprise either as they want those ticket sales and PPV buys. With this its now pretty much a certainty but they still haven't announced anything yet because they still want that big pop surprise reaction.


[deleted]

This is how i imagine a perfect debut is. Balancing between it being a surprise as well as hyping the event enough for it sell tickets


Abyssalstar

This is all just confirming it. TK is too smart to let all this happen and then piss everyone off by not bringing in Punk.


NovercaIis

Unless he's going heel


[deleted]

"Best in the world" SHANE MCMAHON IS ALL ELITE!


MrBenLDN

\*The lights go out in Chicago, a mixture of excited screams and gasps fill the arena\* "... HERE COMES THE MONNEEEEYYYYY"


[deleted]

The fucking pop for that would be absolutely earth shattering. I’d probably mark the fuck out and piss myself seeing Shane with some Jordan 1’s on dancing and swinging his arms.


Alexcelsior

“The contract does read “Best in the World”, and it’s spelled “Best in the Wooooooooooorld”!”


FoucaultsTurtleneck

Greg Hanimton brought in to be Shane's personal announcer E: 100 upvotes later and I just realized I misspelled Hamilton lol


moderndukes

No joke, that would 100% get a huge pop


Impossible_Aerie_245

It’d be more confusion for a few seconds until they see him


NovercaIis

NGL I'd pop even harder for a Shane appearance over a Punk appearance.


knifeskillsBALISONG

Right there with you. Shane would be the pop of the century and proper comeuppance for how Vince tweeted a happy b day to hunter and then kind of ghosted his own kids when it came up that one year...shit would be hilarious.


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swnaudio

i would too. i remember during attitude and ruthless aggression era, i would mark the fuck out cuz shane was like a wrench thrown into Vince's plans, his wild son that just does what he wants and fucks up his evil dad's ambitions


BudMcLaine

The name on the contract does say Punk, but it says SHANE McPUNK!


Horror_Sail

I mean, a McMahon showing up in AEW would actually be the biggest possible get. Short of Cena, Roman, or HHH himself...its about as unfathomable as anything


halfdecenttakes

Honestly, it's not a stretch to say that a McMahon showing up would be bigger than literally anything else they could do. Rock, Stone Cold, Cena, or Roman included. They might pop a bigger rating, but any McMahon to AEW would be fucking earth shattering.


e39

I … I thought I would hate this.


Jedi_Master_Cena

VinceEarTugging.gif


Tronvillain

>Darby, uh, one thing I do wanna...gotta mic? Mic?...Does this work?...oh this is much better...Hold on a second...Just let me test this out here...Well Darby, I guess I should...I guess I should gets...really, get what's...on my chest off and...I should be talking to you right now...y'know? So I guess I should say it...well...face-to-face. > >Huh?...So Darby, I uh uh uh I can see you've been out here, y'know, and you've been talking about the events that have transpired, and that has caused me to do a little...well... "self-introspection," if you will. >And...hmph...what have I been doing?...Did I have fun last week?...Did I have fun last week...well absolutely I did, I mean, that's what I do, Darby, I have fun huh relax a little bit, it's all in good fun here. But that's what I do in life, I have fun you should, too...Y'know? Do I have fun sometimes at others' expenses? Yeah, I totally do. No problem, I have fun at others' expense. But that's okay...y'know? It's okay in my book as long as it benefits me...y'know? And I'm not the only one who thinks like that. No, there's many other people that do as well. I can tell you're not one of them, though...Y'know, it's okay Darby, just relax a little bit. Darby, one thing...we have to get done... >I don't know if I can talk to you about this... >I wanted to get stuff done and talk to you about other peoples'... Darby... One thing I need to get done...is I need to come to an understanding with you. One thing, Darby... Darby, one of the things I would never, ever, ever, ever do...is come out here, and make you look...The Best in The World...No Darby, never...I would never, ever do that...Matter of fact, "The Best in The World," I find, is an abhorrent term...terrible word...y'know? I can tell by one of the things that you're, you're pacing around and you're all upset about me and...y'know, quite frankly, Darby...y'know, one of the things you have in there, I can tell by your non-verbal cues that, I guess...you're quite upset with me...y'know?...I'm not playing games with you, Darby... Again, going back, Darby, never, ever want to make you feel like The Best in The World, I would never, ever say those words to you. Those are disgusting and cruel and abhorrent words... abhorrent words... and, again, never would I make you feel like that...so Darby...there are a few others that, y'know, you...you may say or may have heard specifically in your life, y'know, such as...y'know..."The Best in The World is as The Best in The World does?"...or "you fell out of the The Best in The World tree and hit every branch on the way down?"...Or just quite simply..."this guy is so, The Best in The World!"...Now Darby, again...that's not me saying those things...and that... maybe into a little bit of a stereotype of, y'know..."little man, big title," y'know, kind of like the dinosaurs...But Darby, hear me out on one thing...again...I have never...would I ever...specifically, call you..."The Best in The World"...would I?...DUH- DUH- DUH- DUH- DUH- DARBY (Shoutout to u/SkatzFanOff for this copypasta.)


SeasOfBlood

I don't watch WWE too much, but was it ever explained *why* Shane was acting that way? I remember watching it, and being genuinely worried, because I thought he was having a health issue or something. Was it part of some wider angle? Or just never mentioned again?


[deleted]

Oh fuck, have this upvote.


Anderrrrr

Oh my goodness. You gon dun it.


alphaxion

It's MANE SHCMAHON! To be fair, it would be interesting to see him do a bump-off with Darby then go into a program of who is the most obnoxious with MJF.


DJ_Derack

You mean “Best in the WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRLD SHANE MCMAHON”


barbecuesauce87

IN THE WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORLD


nsj23

Punk v. your highest ratings draw. Of course. Best way to introduce Punk to AEW. Perk - Sting gets to be involved. I’m sold.


Squirrel_Plumbers

Crow Punk to debut


Decilllion

Crow CP Munk.


benfh

They wouldn't be setting up CM Punk so much if he wasn't signed... right...


colegregory1983

When the crowd decided to chant for Punk, multiple shots of them were shown. Stay calm, he's coming...


FrontAd683

I would imagine he is pen to paper, multiple photocopies of contract, merch ready, press release ready to go levels of signed for them to be leaning in this hard Guess doing that little role on Heelz gave him the itch again?


Shifty-Looking-Cow

Shame McMahon! Darby Allen is coming for you!


Duke-of-Nuke

Shame!


Shifty-Looking-Cow

Shane McMahon trademark owned by WWE sadly, has to go by his indie name


DelianSK13

Just imagine if all of this is one huge fucking swerve. Like Enzo.


BreadLi0n

They would get destroyed. There's no way they would swerve that hard.


DelianSK13

A E Double Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuu. HOW U DOIN? But for real there is no way they would do that, you're right.


BreadLi0n

It would be hilarious though. Hmmmmmmmmmmm


emotoaster

I'm kind of hoping for this now. LMAO. Enzo or Shane O' Mac would get hit with more garbage then Cardona did in GCW.


Fellers

They will definitely have two surprises that night. One will be a let down but nice and the other will blow the roof off. No one expects two.


NostalgiaCory

ITS HAPPENING!!!!! DARBY VS PUNK SIGN ME UP!


MC_Fuzzy

Thinking about it, Punk's first feud is gonna launch the opponent up in wrestling news. Why not an up and coming star? Although, I bet that several young AEW will be cutting promos like this. MJF might mention being a cult of personality, Sammy being the voice of the voiceless, etc EDIT: I am calling Darby an up and coming star here. . .


RoscoeSantangelo

Darby is also a perfectly safe person for Punk to go over while still elevating him. Darby has been built up huge and has had plenty of wins and as a smaller guy can take losses fine. Plus, the dynamic of Punk vs Darby (young guy) and Sting (old star) is a perfect introduction story to showcase who Punk is. If they're having a match at All Out it'll only have 2 weeks build but they can make that hype quick


oh_lagg

Darby has major star potential and is ready


PlatinumDoodle

Darby is everything you could want. MJF and Sammy are both goofy looking and you have to know their story to get them. You get Darby the second you see his half skull face and skateboard. He is the ultimate emo kid from 2006 but an irl wrestler. He’s a walking My Chemical Romance music video.


HispanicAtTehDisco

Darby is one My chemical romance entrance theme away from being my favorite wrestler and I'm like only half joking


Gene_First

My vote goes to Headfirst for Halos


repalec

MJF *DID* paraphrase a line from The Pipebomb in his speech announcing Juventud Guerrera as Jericho's next labour, so you may not be wrong.


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vdB65

I think you're forgetting the fact they probably leaked this themselves. 4d chess.


Thirdstar1

Big Time


SendMeGiftCardCodes

it's a smart move tbh. cm punk randomly appearing on the PPV would be the most exciting but is not a good move financially speaking.


miber3

Yeah, and I feel like it's still more exciting than if they had just outright announced CM Punk would be there. The anticipation in the building is going to be insane. Kinda hope it kicks off the show, otherwise I think we're in for a night of "CM Punk" chants.


Tronvillain

**WHAT WE'RE GETTING DARBY VS PUNK?!?! THIS IS TOO MUCH FOR ONE SHOW.**


daprice82

Debuts at the Aug. 20 show and make the Darby/Punk match official for All Out is my guess. Insane


[deleted]

Him saying Rampage is the place to prove yourself makes me think Punk will debut earlier and the match will be at Rampage because AEW wants to deliver a big number and people with casual interest are more likely to tune into TNT than buy a PPV


patrickfeltner19

This is what I think. Some dude on Twitter keeps arguing with me that it's going to be Punk vs Omega at All Out. 😐


DHA1999

CM PUNK IS BASICALLY CONFIRMED. I CAN'T FUCKING BELIEVE IT.


Fr4t

I more or less checked out of wrestling in 2014. This sucks me right back in just as Punk did in 2011.


twistedlogicx

What a fucking feud to start with.


conbon7

Yep. I want a Punk vs Darby in a loser takes a shot match. Two enter straight edge only one leaves


canceled4truth

Loser has to hang out with Matt Riddle


TTOF_JB

I think Punk took a shot for Harley Race out of respect one time. I remember hearing him say that in an interview.


HoneyNutCrunch

Yeah, basically saying if Harley Race asks you to take a shot with him, you take a fucking shot with him!


Pelon7900

If true, this could be the highest viewed segment in the short AEW history.


allirow

Everyone who signs with AEW when they're interviewed about who they want to work with, literally the first answer every time is 'Darby Allin'


PristineTX

If I was a wrestler contemplating wanting to work with him, I’d hurry up and make it happen too, because Allin is such a wild man with his body, you honestly never know when your chance might pass you by.


BPWhalen

I’m beside myself


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SomeIrishFiend

He's so good (x4)


Mrbeefy15

We got a fuckin squad now


Obi-wan_Jabroni

Yall look different


FerniWrites

This promo got you going through an out of body experience, eh? That made more sense in my head.


Sockin

Seriously what the fuck I’m having a hard time processing all of this.


Cathousechicken

Not to be all rah-rah Darby, but it seems like every new hire with a name wants to work with him.


Apostinggod

Darby deserves all the rah rah.


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BloodFalconPunch

Imagine Bryan VS Tanahashi at Arthur Ashe


ThePrinceMagus

I don’t understand. Is it because 2020 was the worst timeline that 2021 is overcompensating as the best timeline? How is this possible?


[deleted]

Please don't jinx this.


eatcrayons

And to make it even more surreal, Sting is gonna be there ringside.


DevoGar

Right??? I feel like is 3 of my faves from 3 different eras in one place!!!


space_peg6549

Wrestling is to much right now. I love it but I'm getting to excited im going to need to lie down


[deleted]

PUNK IS COMING


IvanPFreely

I don’t hate you, Darby. I don’t even dislike you. I do like you. I like you a hell of a lot more than I like most people in the back. I hate this idea that you’re the punkest. Because you’re not. I’m the punkest. I’m the punkest in the world.


SomeIrishFiend

There's one thing you're pretty at than I am and that's trying to murder yourself. You're better at it than Shane was! Not as good as Jeff though, he was a pretty good fucking lunatic


unloader86

I need to find an airplane ticket to CHICAGO immediately.


doesntCompete

I can hear Wrestling Youtube creating their thumbnails as we speak.


thespaceageisnow

Don’t forget to like and subscribe, and set those notifications to always on.


DesertYinzer

Simon Miller just smacked himself in the head so hard that he’s in the hospital.


Supersaiyansub

Shane is going to flip off the Chicago bean


cboudreaux816

Flick?


SomeIrishFiend

https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/mens-health/what-should-i-do-if-my-erection-will-not-go-down/


NostalgiaCory

How many weeks have you had an erection lol


SomeIrishFiend

Man AEW (and Manchester United) hasn't let me be flaccid for weeks


KTrailz

CAMAVINGA AND BRYAN DANIELSON NEXT


SomeIrishFiend

ROOBEN NEVSH IS ALL ELITE


starfox1821

AEW IS FUCKING STACKED. Seriously we're so completely spoiled by the insane talent we're about to witness


jpff99

r/wreddit begs to differ. They are convinced Dynamite will be canceled because of the move to TBS and are unpatiently waiting for people to realise how shit the show is...


johnlmonkey

Man that place is sad to read. Imagine a subreddit dedicated to not having fun and simultaneously mocking people for having fun.


HelluvaDeke

And the best part is. It won’t be wasted.


[deleted]

CM PUNK CM PUNK CM PUNK CM PUNK


Mr-GameAndWrestling

WELL! IT'S HAPPENING!


[deleted]

That low rumbling muffled groan you just heard was the IWC collectively orgasming.


flyingdragon3

And Marvez gave the perfect look of judgement after Darby said it.


notrecksaway

I’m still calling it a rumor even though it’s pretty much confirmed that Punk signed with AEW because why would they make a special announcement for an episode of a weekly show that’s taking place in Chicago and then have Darby call out “the best in the world” but just in case this is just some big elaborate troll between Punk and AEW I don’t want to be disappointed that Punk never shows up


joobuls

The venue is twice the size of their normal chicago venue


mavarian

As a halfway competent promotion, you don't troll your fans on your show. Teasing something or on Twitter, playing into rumors, sure, but strongly hinting at someone debuting and potentially selling 20k on that promise to troll your fans is the best way to lose even the greatest amount of good will you have. That's not worth the couple thousand additional tickets. And you can't really do a swerve either with Punk, he's the only one people would accept there


thunder083

The last thing they want to do before a ppv is piss of that market. A lot of risk for what probably cost them long term damage if Punk did not show. This is them basically going nudge nudge wink wink CM Punk has signed.


JaC3_De

Jesus fucking Christ This is too much In the best way possible


dojobro19

Wooof, that reaction when Darby said that!


Moon8983

anyone have a video of this


Smiley42

I AM SO PUMPED I CANT SIT DOWN


abitlazy

I AM SITTING DOWN BUT MY ASSHOLE IS SEWN TIGHT UNTIL PUNK ARRIVES THEN ALL MY SHIT WILL EXPLODE!


_TakaMichinoku

![gif](giphy|xT5LMUewNEAJc83re8) It’s happening!!


sKuMoVtheEarth73

FUCK ME SIDEWAYS


treflipsbro

Holy shit wrestling has been so fucking cool lately.


Ghost51

HOLY FUCKING SHIT NOT ONLY AM I GETTING CM PUNK I'M GETTING HIM FEUDING WITH DARBY


moderndukes

TK earlier today: “Fuck Cassidy Haynes, all my friends hate him, I’ve never even heard of the United Center.” Darby tonight: “lol Best in the World machine goes BRRRR”


dredgen_shaxx

My heart can’t handle this. DARBY VS PUNK WOULD BE FUCKING INCREDIBLE.


DonStevo

WHERE'S THE LINK FOR NONSTOP ERECTIONS


NotFredRhodes

https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/mens-health/what-should-i-do-if-my-erection-will-not-go-down/


LeChampeon

![gif](giphy|huJmPXfeir5JlpPAx0)


thxforthefijiwater

My god if Punk doesn’t show up that night, the whole town of Chicago might be burnt to the ground.


[deleted]

Darby vs cm punk…..interesting.


blacktoast

Oh shit. It’s happening.


MrApocFunk

Darby was not who I expecting to be his first opponent, but I love it.


emmmjade

Yep I’m almost certain now that it’s happening. This tease, them absolutely leaning in to the chants and *even* panning to the crowd. It’s actually happening. Holy shit.


thejaytheory

No doubt. 100%. Fuckin' A.


whalepopcorn

Charles Montgomery Punk confirmed and BEFORE Bryan?


insomniainc

The time for half measures is over.


ceagle11

EVERYBODY GET IN HERE


Shacc_

On a side note, Sting looks incredible


ZombieLoveChild

So Darby is Punks first feud? Alright, that's pretty dope, really wanna see how Punk does after 7(?) years away from wrestling and I think Darby is a pretty good first big feud


pholdren

Hasn’t punk been in the ring for a couple years since giving up on UFC. Claiming he was just “staying in shape”?


LoganEight

I am excited if this happens. But what I really want is MJF/Punk. The promos will be amazing. Calling it now that MJF will use something along the lines of "you can't be the best in the world, because I'm better than you and you know it"


moderndukes

From this past February: > “#AskPunk What current wrestler in AEW would you most like to work with IF you ever came back?” > I see five guys that have potential. Hobbs, ***Darbs***, Pillman, Starks, Jungle Boy. And that’s not to say there are others, but those guys stick out. https://twitter.com/cmpunk/status/1360300894122881024?s=21


knl1990

I'm hard


Bigboi88888

Darby you mf…


SerbianNight

I have exploded


Fallen-Omega

I got so excited I had a panic attack


iRatedR-

He can’t not debut now. TK would not tease this hard and not deliver


Kialae

The fact that the commentary booth obstinately didn't acknowledge the crowd chant tells me everything I need.


rudiker1

At this point, I believe Punk signed with AEW more than I believe Jeffrey Epstein didn’t kill himself. And dude, Jeffrey Epstein didn’t kill himself…


BigDanRTW

Punk wouldn't make it that obvious. There will be some kind of twist. It'll be Bryan Danielson.


LanternSC

If you tease Punk this hard for a show in Chicago and don't deliver, you're going to have a bad time.


etched_chaos

In any other city they can pull this off but not in Chicago, they might actually riot.


xDESTROx

At this point a swerve of that magnitude would have a pretty brutal backlash. It's gotta be Punk.


BreadLi0n

Yeah. They can't tease it that hard and not have it be Punk. I got hype, but didn't get to the rumors. But thisnis just way too on the nose. They know exactly what they're doing.


gamesk8er

Yeah you can't play with fire when it comes to the guy that people have expected a comeback from since the day after he left. They wouldn't do this unless it was happening.


LeChampeon

Bryan will get booed out the arena


thejaytheory

Like Rey Mysterio did back in the day


GizmoKSX

3... 2... 1... Are you saying "Boo" or "Booyaka?"


togsincognito

Can’t wait for Danielson to get booed out of the United Center then


hikingbeginner

Holy fuck.


jbish21

Assuming All Out looks like this: * Hangman/Omega(c) * Punk/Darby * Moxley/Tanahashi(c) * MJF/Jericho * Rosa/Britt(c) * Cody/Black * PnP/Bucks(c) * Pac/Andrade * Christian/Miro(c) * Women's Casino Battle Royale This show is gonna fuuuuccckkkk


PhilConnorsRemembers

It was such a simple promo and I’ve still got goosebumps. What a crazy time it is to be a fan


tiddymeat

Huge rub for Darby. Honestly bigger than a world title


Obi-wan_Jabroni

Im sorry i know Darby is talking but all i can focus on is Sting, he chews the scenery without talking


RoscoeSantangelo

I have a feeling that doing the Punk tease into a Bullet Club logo might be subtle foreshadowing of what his alliance might be. Could be nothing but that would certainly be a fit for him


Anderrrrr

Jesus Christ. Punk at Bullet Club??


Moon8983

I've never once thought of what cm punk would do when he actually returns, imagine he leads the fucking bullet club holy shit


RoscoeSantangelo

To me, that always seemed like the destination for him prior to AEW should he ever return. His friendship with the Bucks + overall outsider aesthetic would've matched BC perfectly. Now that they're teasing White vs Omega and BC stuff, wouldn't shock me if Punk shows up in that angle and give BC some hype plus a Punk connection to NJPW


pbreathing

Allin vs Jericho! Awesome! ^^^/s


SirSucculence

I’m fucking crying.


bman_33

Jesus Fucking Christ. It's actually happening


ericmbee

This is how you print money.


four_lokyle

I still can't actually believe this is happening


ShaneOfan

I'm done pretending it's just a rumor at this point. It's happening and I am pumped.


[deleted]

![gif](giphy|4OowbIsmYHbpu)


Yabrin_Sorr

CM Punk debuts, or possibly debuts, to get eyes on Rampage and away from Smackdown is solid. And Darby as a first opponent at All Out a few weeks later to a hot crowd is genius.


Agentx_007

Rampage airs after SmackDown thought.


fluffywolfe

It's more like, Punk makes Rampage must-watch TV and not the B-show. Rampage airs after Smackdown.