Tony Khan: CM Punk Debut Is One Of The Most Successful Things AEW Has Ever Done

All Elite Wrestling president Tony Khan believes putting together the CM Punk debut is one of the most successful things the company has ever done.

Punk returned to wrestling after a seven-year absence with AEW at Rampage: The First Dance last month, leading to huge viewing figures and social media engagements for the promotion. 

In bringing Punk back to wrestling, AEW have made their biggest signing in their short history so far, and Khan has reflected on the success of the moment.

Speaking on AEW Unrestricted, Khan said: "It’s really a unique experience to be back here after we’ve just done The First Dance, which was the biggest crowd we’ve ever done for AEW to go to the United Center for, what I think people expected, was CM Punk’s debut, and we wanted the fans to be about 99% sure it was gonna be CM Punk debut, but I think to really deliver it, that 1% doubt in their minds is what made this surprise so special. 

"As he was coming in, he really wanted to be there debuting at the United Center, and it was really an honour to work with him, to put The First Dance together. I think it’s one of the most successful things we’ve ever done in AEW and to this date it’s the biggest audience we’ve ever had, especially when you account for the DVRs, and the business effects and the the positive after effects just keep happening.

"And we’re growing. Every metric is pointing up, and it’s a great time for AEW, but really, it’s been trending up for a long time, and the company stayed hot. It’s pretty amazing to stay hot through a pandemic."

H/T Wrestling Inc.