Can CM Punk still call himself the "Best in the World?".

CM Punk's debut match in WLCW should have been an afterthought. For decades Punk has been a dynamic contender at the top of every organization he's wrestled in. From Ring of Honor to the WWE and most recently All Elite Wrestling, CM Punk has demanded the attention of every fan. He brings a certain level of excitement the moment he enters a building.

Just putting his name on the poster draws maximum exposure.

But here in World League Championship Wrestling, things seem doww right peculiar for CM Punk. Don't pretend you didn't notice. Booked in an inconsequential triple threat match with Matt Sydall and Prince Devitt, CM Punk brought very little to his WLCW debut. Yes, he came close to winning. But honestly, CM Punk could fight blindfolded with one hand tied behind his back and win most of his matches. Hell, look at the tail end of his WWE run. He was wrestling injured and sick and still managed to be the most dynamic wrestler on the roster. No, something is different about CM Punk.

Let's state the obvious. Before CM Punk signed his WLCW contract we were all surprised to see John Cena arrive in the company with Punk's wife AJ Lee at his side. The rumor mill started generating immediately. Punk was bombared on Twitter. The dirt sheets were bleeding with decriptions of just how one of CM Punk's biggest rivals and arguably the most famous man in wrestler managed to steal his WIFE!

CM Punk is not in a good place emotionally. He's an angry and hurt man who has arrived in the WLCW ready to fight for all the wrong reasons. Countless YouTube pundits and Twitter critics are pontificating about what exactly is motivating this turn in CM Punk's career. Is he here in WLCW to write another memorable chapter in his legendary career, or is he blind with rage and jealousy? At Ascension, CM Punk gets a chance to show us another glimpse of what exactly is going on. He will square off against Matt Sydal again. He has a chance to finish the fight he started in his debut match. And maybe we will find out what exactly CM Punk plans to do about John Cena. Because we all know it won't be long before he comes face to face with the man who stole his wife.

The room is still and silent. We see CM Punk seated with his legs crossed, an iconic pose for him, on the center of a mat. CM Punk's eyes are closed. He takes a slow, deep breath. As we take in our surroundings, it's obvious that this is ome sort of MMA gym. For years, this type of establishment has been the preferred training facility for CM Punk. So it's no surprise to see him in this setting just a few days before Ascension. After a few more deep breaths, CM Punk slowly opens his eyes. He blinks a few times before speaking to the viewer.

CM PUNK: Matt Sydal thinks he's unique. His zen approach to professional wrestling might keep him centered and focused on what he thinks is important, but honestly it's just a gimmick. Meditation? Yoga? They're effective tools in any fighters arsenal. And I can admit that I was running a little hot during our match last week. I kept missting my spots. And I fell short of victory because my head wasn't in the game. I can argue that Matt Sydal wasn't exactly in top form either. I had him beat, before Prince Devitt snuck in and stole the win from me. Matt, you might be the a zen guru, but I'd describe you as a two-time loser after that match. At Ascension, I plan to add another loss to your record.

CM Punk remains seated. But he tenses up a little as he begins to take a more serious tone.

CM PUNK: Let me dwell on the past for just a moment. Then I'm ready to move on. Last week was a fluke. That's the simple truth. I have made it my business to be the best wrestler in the world. But even living legends slip up from time to time. I didn't lose that match. No, I just didn't win it. I let Fergal fuckin' Devitt waltz his way to victory. And why is that? Because my head wasn't in. I might have physically been in that ring. But my head and my heart were elsewhere, consumed with finding that worthless wife-stealing son of a bitch John Cena.

CM Punk puts his hands up and waves his fingers. He mocks with a comically "shocked" look on his face.

CM PUNK: Oh my God! I finally said it! I admitted why I'm here in World League Championship Wrestling! I know everyone watching this is consumed with knowing all about the drama going on in my personal life. Well let me set the record straight. When I showed up at Mick Foley's office after seeing AJ Lee and John Cena on WLCW television, I was doing him a favor. I was giving the courtesy of a warning. Because I didn't plan on signing a contract for this company. I had every intention of buying a front row ticket and just hopping the damn barrier and kicking John Cena's teeth in the first chance I got. But Mick Foley talked me off the ledge. He told me to get even the proper way. And I was dumb enough to fall for his carny bullshit about how this would make for good television. So that's where I was when I debuted on WLCW television last week. My heart was broken over the wife leaving me. My head was clouded by the rage and anger I had for John and AJ and everyone else who wronged me. Physically, I was in the ring but I wasn't "there". And that's why I looked like a fuckin' fool against Matt Sydal and Prince Devitt.

CM Punk taps his fingers against the mat next to him. He continues to speak.

CM PUNK: But I get a chance to redeem myself at Ascension. It starts with Matt Sydal. Listen, I respect what the guy is capable of. Hell, I had a nice yoga session with him after our match. It's nothing personal. I have come to the realization that the way I get what I want is by doing the only thing I'm good at. Winning. I want revenge. I don't even know if I would forgive AJ Lee for what she and John have done to me. But I do know that if this is a competition, I need to be the one who wins. Divorce might be the outcome. I'm realistic, there's a 50/50 shot that's how any marriage ends. But I will be the winner of our divorce. So at Ascension, I start getting back to what I'm good at. Winning fights. Matt Sydal, I take no pleasure in stopping what little momentum you have as a new WLCW wrestler. But I will win at any cost. Prince Devitt will get his receipt soon enough. One by one, I am going to pick apart and defeat every wrestler in this company until I get what I want. I want revenge. I want to hurt John Cena. I want to embarrass AJ Lee. But most of all, I want to win!

The camera pans up as CM Punk rises from his seated position.

CM PUNK: I will win at any cost. Matt Sydal, it starts with you. Like I said, it's nothing personal. You're just the unlucky guy standing in my way. And God help anyone who tries to stop me from winning.

The scene fades to black.

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