CM Punk & Samoa Joe remain two of the most important professional wrestlers of their generation. Their matches in Ring of Honor defined the company’s history, and their influence is still felt in the industry to this day.
Both men would continue to have legendary careers, and their paths would rarely cross. When Joe reached WWE, Punk had already retired from the industry, and seemingly was fine without it.
However, when CM Punk decided to return to AEW, and Samoa Joe ended his time in WWE – things started to line up. They were back in the same company again, but Punk was injured when Joe made his debut, and then injured again after his return.
Things would align when both men were entered into the Owen Hart Memorial Tournament, and Punk was finally able to beat Joe – but with a roll up.
This did not sit well with Samoa Joe, and he’d call Punk out for All In – and ensured Punk had no choice but to accept. To add to the excitement, Punk is putting his ‘Real World Championship’ on the line, the belt Punk won at All Out 2022.
CM Punk & Samoa Joe Look To Give Fans Another Classic
Joe would drive Punk into the corner as the match began, but was unable to connect with a chop as Punk slipped away. Punk would hit a chop on Joe, before retreating with a smile on his face. Joe would be taken into a side headlock, and a backdrop would be unable to break the hold.
Instead, he would slip to the apron – and hung Punk off the apron before hitting an overhand chop. Joe tried to set up a running dropkick, crushing Punk into the barricade – but Punk would flee into the ring.
Back in the ring, Punk was set up in the ropes and sent with some heavy chops – swinging up and down as Joe chopped away.
Punk teased the diving crossbody as he regained control, and knew Joes game. He loves to casually walk away from a dive, and would wait before hitting the diving hurricanrana. Joe would land on his head and roll to the floor, and Punk tried for the vaulting body press… and Joe walked away. Punk landed hard on the floor, before being driven into the barricade.
Joe would catch Punk going for another diving hurricanrana, and swung him head first through the front of the announce table – leaving Punk bloody.
Back in the ring, Joe would run Punk down with a hard back elbow smash. Punk was sent into the corner for the Enziguri combo, before the Inverted Atomic Drop, Big Boot and Running Senton for a two count.
Pulling Out A Classic For The Victory
Joe would set up the Muscle Buster, but Punk would slip free and hit a roundhouse kick to drop Joe and get a chance to breathe.
Punk would hit some shoulder tackles and the spin out powerbomb before raising his hand for a Five Knuckle Shuffle – instead shifting to a middle finger and hit an Atomic Leg Drop. Joe would kick out at one, and hulked up – before hitting the snap powerslam.
Punk was able to kick out, only to be hit with a powerbomb. He’d kick out again, but Joe went right into the STF – and moved into the crossface.
Punk managed to slip free, and tried for the Figure Four Leg Lock – with Joe breaking free. Rising Knee Strike would be set by Punk, but Joe hit the Uranage instead.
Punk was set up on the top rope for the Muscle Buster, but would keep on fighting. He found his chance, and set up his classic finisher the Pepsi Plunge – and launched the diving Pedigree. Using Joe’s weight against him, Punk would get the pinfall – and remains the Real AEW World Champion.
Who can stop CM Punk? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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