Former WWE and current AEW superstar CM Punk has never been one to shy away from controversial headlines.
He created more Sunday night at AEW’s “All In” pay-per-view show at Wembley Stadium in London.
Punk defeated Samoa Joe in an intense, bloodied match. After defeating his longtime rival, Punk celebrated with the crowd, including posing with a woman who held a sign saying, “Trans rights are human rights.”
#CMPunk #BestInTheWorld #AEW #AEWAllIn pic.twitter.com/7HG0wL1xSX
— CMPunk.org | FANSITE for CM Punk (@CMPunkOrg) August 27, 2023
The sign also read, “Oi Rishi” in an apparent message to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
As other outlets have noted, this isn’t Punk’s first time courting political controversy. In May 2022, Punk posted a pro-abortion message following the leaked Supreme Court decision foretelling the overturn of Roe vs. Wade. The post, which included graphic imagery, insinuated that men should stay out of the abortion debate.
The wrestling world was quick to react to Punk showing support for the transgender rights movement:
Class Act by CM Punk at #AEWAllIn https://t.co/ODlBz5DNsc
— dasYURI 🏳️🌈 (@dasyuri) August 27, 2023
You are free to have your opinion @CMPunk, and I applaud you for standing up for what (you) think is right. Though what you feel or think does not equal facts or truth.
While I will concede in the fact that every (person) has certain inalienable rights as given to them under… https://t.co/DB4FkHBsI7
— James Augustine 🇺🇲 ✝️ 🇮🇱 (@JAugustine02) August 28, 2023
CANCELLED
— Phoenix Zorg 🎲🎲 (@PhxZorg) August 28, 2023
Human rights must first come from of a basic understanding of humans.
There are only two genders.
If one cannot understand this fundamental fact, the. All other rights we cherish will be jeopardized.
— Bernard of Clairvaux (@1099Levant) August 28, 2023
🤣🤣🤣 LAME!
— Michael Hughes (@23michaelhughes) August 28, 2023
Punk made his name in WWE, starring in the organization from 2005 to 2015. After a very public exit from Vince McMahon’s company, Punk signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2021. Punk is also 2-0 as a mixed martial artist, winning one fight by submission and another via no contest.
He is a native of Chicago, Illinois.
