At AEW Rampage: Grand Slam, CM Punk competed on cable television for the first time since 2014 when he faced Powerhouse Hobbs. In a hard-fought bout, Punk emerged victorious to boost his record to 2-0.
This match marked the fan-favorite star’s second bout since he arrrived in AEW; in his return to the ring, he defeated Darby Allin at the All Out pay-per-view. Taz set this bout up by taking issue with Punk naming his clients, Powerhouse Hobbs and Ricky Starks, as people he’d like to face during various interviews. Team Taz subsequently attacked Punk to put an exclamation point on the conflict.
Hobbs was the second-ranked competitor in the men’s division heading into the contest. Based on the latest AEW rankings, Hobbs was the second-ranked competitor in the men’s division.
https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1441586528304590866?s=20
In the end, Punk took everything Hobbs threw at him, and some mistimed interference from Hook helped “The Second City Saint” clinch the victory. Here’s how the match came to a close, courtesy of our play-by-play coverage:
Punk traps Hobbs in a sleeper hold, determined to put him to sleep in a different way, but Powerhouse slams his way out of it. Another slam still doesn’t keep Hobbs down. Punk spikes Hobbs on his head with a hurricanrana off the top rope. He locks in a triangle choke, but againbs slams his way out of it for a two count. The two men exchange strikes, and Punk blasts Hobbs with a kick to the head. Hobbs acidentally trucks over Hook, and the distraction leaves the big man vulnerable to the Go to Sleep for then three count.
Gone to sleep…a hard fought victory for @CMPunk against @TrueWillieHobbs – Watch #AEWRampage: Grand Slam NOW on @tntdrama! pic.twitter.com/W1gYlTJAIr
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 25, 2021
