Source: f4wonline.com
Image: AEW
On the most recent What Happened When podcast with Conrad Thompson, AEW announcer Tony Schiavone gave some behind-the-scenes details on CM Punk's arrival last Friday on Rampage including a scrapped plan that would have seen him be the first person to introduce him.
Schiavone said Tony Khan texted him after their run-through for the show and said he was considering having him introduce Punk. Schiavone said he would be honored, but wanted whatever he said to be minimal.
After Punk arrived, they discussed it and determined it would be best for Punk to do it alone.
However, Punk said he wanted to have Schiavone conduct his interview with him on Wednesday's Dynamite in traditional style and not jerk the microphone out of his hand like others have done.
In the lead-up for Rampage, including when the team was going over the rundown, Punk was only referred to as "special guest." Punk's locker room that night also only said "special guest."
When Punk arrived, he had several people with him including Lou D'Angeli (Sign Guy Dudley in ECW) and another person Thompson suggested Schiavone not say as he might get in trouble for it. Schiavone said Punk was a great guy backstage to which Thompson agreed, recapping their experience at Starrcast.
Punk told Schiavone said he wasn't sure what he was going to say or how, but that he had a lot of things on his mind. The only thing he was asked to say or set up was the Darby Allin match for All Out.
Schiavone said he was next to Khan in the go position when Punk went out and that everyone from the back came out to watch the promo unfold including Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks so they could feel it from behind the curtain. Afterward, everyone was excited including Women's Champion Britt Baker who was thrilled that Punk mentioned her name during the promo.
Later, a group of people including Khan and his girlfriend, Punk and his entourage, Britt Baker, Rebel, Schiavone, Orange Cassidy and Jeff Jones went to get dinner around midnight. Schiavone said he stayed up all night because he got back to his hotel so late and had a 5:30 AM flight, but it was such a big moment that he was so excited.
Schiavone said it was a top five moment for him and joked with Khan about sending out the tweet that this was the biggest night in the history of the sport which Khan wholeheartedly supported.
