With reports circulating that CM Punk may have wrestled his last match in AEW and in likelihood may be done with pro-wrestling, I have to thank him for the effect he had on my life and for restoring my love for pro-wrestling.

I have been a pro-wrestling fan since the late 90s. Pro-wrestling has been my escape for years. However there was a time in my life, when I was totally cut off from the world of pro-wrestling and going through a really dark phase in life. Then came the infamous pipebomb and his Summer of Punk in WWE. Not only did it draw me back to pro-wrestling, his promo battles with Mr McMahon, John Cena and Triple H over the next few months was the best thing I have ever seen in wrestling and it made me an obsessive pro-wrestling fan. During those days when I was struggling mentally, struggling in my personal life, struggling in workplace, CM Punk and his work were my ultimate escape.

When Punk left in 2014, I lost a huge amount of interest in wrestling but people like The Shield and The Wyatt Family kept me watching.

I have been a day 1 AEW fan, from Mox debut to Bucks vs Lucha Bros, The Inner Circle, I loved AEW from day 1. However, when Punk returned to AEW a year back, it felt like everything was right with the world, that it was utopia. I live in India, and I would wake up everyday at 5.30 am to watch AEW Dynamite live for him. He had a great run here, had an incredibly rivalry with MJF, gave us some great moments like Facepaint Punk. Alas it was too good to last.

It may have ended badly, he may probably be the most hated person in wrestling now, but he will always have my gratitude and love for helping me through some dark times, even though he may not be aware of it.