Bully Ray: AEW is Smart to Give CM Punk the 'John Cena Treatment'

CM Punk may be AEW's most controversial star, but that isn't a bad thing according to Bully Ray.

Punk returned to programming earlier this month to a thunderous response during the first episode of AEW Collision. The response was similar when Punk appeared on last week's Dynamite, as both shows were in Chicago. The response by the fans was the polar opposite later in the week when Punk appeared on AEW Collision and at AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door. Both of these events took place in Canada, the home of The Elite's Kenny Omega.

Very fans love or loathe CM Punk, the responses by audiences are very loud. Some have compared Punk's situation to the mixed responses John Cena received during his time as WWE's top full-time performer. Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Bully Ray said that AEW is wise to feature Punk as a star with both fans and haters, and it'll only help move tickets.

"Punk right now is getting the Cena treatment. Whether they love you or whether they hate you, they have some kind of an emotional response to you. Now there’s a two-fold scenario going on with Punk: People who are going to want to see Punk and cheer him; people who are gonna buy tickets to see CM Punk and boo him. What’s the common denominator? Buy tickets.”

At Forbidden Door, Punk defeated Satoshi Kojima to advance in the Owen Hart Foundation Men's Cup Tournament. Punk will face the winner of the Samoa Joe Vs. Roderick Strong first-round match that will take place on this week's episode of AEW Collision.