Now, with CM Punk officially becoming #AllElite, there is an abundance of superstars ‘The Best in the World’ can face. And frankly, every other match that Punks wrestles at AEW is likely to be a ‘dream match’.

Punk made his triumphant return to professional wrestling on Tony Khan’s promotion after seven long years of self-imposed exile. However, Punk clarified that the first wrestler he wants to face is Darby Allin at AEW: All Out PPV.

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However, there is one match of CM Punk in the history books of wrestling that many fans are not aware of. A young CM Punk faced the late Eddie Guerrero and a mask-less Rey Mysterio back in 2002.

Their path crossed on the independent scene – namely in IWA Mid South Wrestling. Punk was the promotion’s Mid South Heavyweight Champion.

CM Punk defends his IWA Heavyweight Championship against Legends

Back in 2002, it was a dark place for Guerrero. WWE recently fired him from the promotion because of an alleged DUI case. So after Mr. McMahon fired him, he moved back to Indies where he met Punk.

Rey Mysterio was jobless for a while when WWE purchased WCW, so he moved to the IWA Mid South promotion. Rey is still unmasked; he didn’t put that back on until he got to WWE five months later after this match.

The three individuals start slowly, figuring out how to get going. Guerrero shoots on the crowd playing true to his heel character. However, Mysterio shoots at Eddie’s legs, then Punk’s.

There was a spot in the match when Eddie cornered Punk to deliver some more damage. However, the young Punk flipped himself like a ninja and delivered a crossbody to Guerrero and Mysterio while delivering an F-bomb.

The match became one of the greatest matches in the promotion’s history. Seeing a young Punk holding his own against the two veterans made the match special; eventually, Guerrero coming out on top with the Five Star Frogsplash.

Soon, Eddie was back in WWE, this time with Rey Mysterio. Punk would find his footing on the independent circuit for a few years before moving on to WWE.

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