What prestigious award did CM Punk secure for best debut of the year after WWE return?

The best in the world, CM Punk, has been breaking records since his return to WWE. He made a surprise entrance at the Survivor Series pay-per-view in front of his hometown crowd.

Punk’s continuous appearances at live events have significantly increased WWE’s viewership over the last month, and he has also topped the merchandise sales charts. Recently, Punk set a new record by receiving the award for the best debut in the wrestling industry for 2023.

CM Punk honored with year’s best debut by ESPN

ESPN has awarded CM Punk the best debut of the year. The American sportswriter and senior writer of ESPN Wyshynski said, “It all felt like “goodnight, everyone”—until the static hit. Suddenly, CM Punk’s logo was plastered around the building’s screens as “Cult of Personality” played. He strode out wearing a white T-shirt in between the WarGames cages. The fans went nuclear. The internet lit up. CM Punk was back in the WWE.”

Wyshynski also added, “The guy who dropped the “pipe bomb,” taking photos with Paul Levesque, giving “PG Punk” promos on Raw and even visiting younger wrestlers at the WWE training facility. Punk said he “was home.” It’s still incredible they unlocked the doors for him.”

ESPN has occasionally partnered with wrestling promotions for specific events or content creation. In 2022, ESPN made a collaboration with WWE for a special “30 for 30” documentary on the rivalry between Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock.

Nevertheless, there were many returns in pro wrestling. CM Punk’s return to WWE after 10 years was widely hailed as one of the most memorable moments in wrestling history in 2023, and ESPN’s award solidifies CM Punk as the greatest superstar of all time.

CM Punk wins first WWE match in nearly a decade

On today’s live event of the WWE Live Holiday Tour, CM Punk defeated former North American Champion Dominik Mysterio in a singles match at Madison Square Garden. This win marks the first win for Punk in WWE in nearly 10 years, after he left WWE in 2014.

The crowd was electrifying throughout the match, and at last Punk hit his signature finisher, the Go To Sleep to Dominik, and won the match. After the match, Punk addressed the crowd. Punk said, “There’s a little part of me that came here for me, but you guys are the high tide that raises all ships. You have carried me throughout my career to my greatest moments and this is one of them.”

“I came to finish what I started. It starts tonight in the world’s most famous arena and with the greatest fans on earth,” Punk added. “The Voice of the Voiceless” then said he’d win the Royal Rumble and head to WrestleMania. “That isn’t me finishing my story, that’s just me getting started.”

Punk made it clear that his next plan is to enter the 30 Men Royal Rumble match and be the last man standing to headline the WrestleMania 40. Punk’s opponent for WrestleMania 40 is not confirmed, but he is likely to face Seth Rollins for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on Day 2 of WrestleMania 40.