CM Punk against MJF was AEW's best talking feud. It ran from November 2021 to March 2022 and produced some of the most-discussed promos in the company's history, then two matches: MJF beat Punk in Punk's hometown of Chicago in February 2022, handing him his first loss in AEW, and Punk won a Dog Collar match at Revolution a month later.
This page covers both matches, the promos that built them, a comparison and our verdict.
Head-to-head record
CM Punk vs. MJF: 1–1. Every big-event meeting between the two, oldest first.
| # | Date | Event | Venue | Match | Result | How |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Feb 2, 2022 | AEW Dynamite | Wintrust Arena, Chicago | Singles | MJF won | Pinfall using the Dynamite Diamond Ring |
| 2 | Mar 6, 2022 | AEW Revolution 2022 | Addition Financial Arena, Orlando | Dog Collar match | CM Punk won | Diamond Ring shot after Wardlow turned |
Every match: our commentary
AEW Dynamite · Feb 2, 2022
MJF had promised to beat Punk in front of his hometown fans. Punk dominated much of the match, but Wardlow passed MJF the Dynamite Diamond Ring behind the referee's back, and MJF hit Punk with it for the pin, Punk's first loss since joining AEW.
AEW Revolution 2022 · Mar 6, 2022
Chained together by the neck, the two bled heavily. At the end Wardlow, who had been abused by MJF for months, placed the ring on the apron and walked away from MJF. Punk took it, hit MJF with it and won, turning MJF's own weapon against him.
The backstory
The feud began on the November 17, 2021 Dynamite, and Punk worked through the members of MJF's group, the Pinnacle, on the way to MJF. The promos, with MJF attacking Punk's WWE history and Punk attacking MJF's privilege, were the main reason it became a major story.
Punk won the AEW World Championship at Double or Nothing in May 2022 and left AEW in September 2023. MJF became AEW World Champion at Full Gear 2022 and held the title for 406 days.
Tale of the tape
| CM Punk | MJF | |
|---|---|---|
| Hometown | Chicago | Plainview, New York |
| Signature finish | GTS (Go to Sleep) | Heatseeker / Panama Sunrise |
| AEW World title | Two reigns (2022) | Three reigns (most recently 2026) |
| Age at Revolution 2022 | 43 | 26 |
By the numbers
| Head-to-head stat | CM Punk | MJF |
|---|---|---|
| Singles wins vs. each other | 1 | 1 |
| Wins using the Diamond Ring | 1 | 1 |
How fans and critics reacted
The promo exchanges in January 2022 were widely praised as among the best in AEW's history. The Dog Collar match was received as a violent, satisfying blow-off, and Wardlow's turn launched his own run as a top star.
Some fans felt the series ended too quickly given how well it had been built.
Our take
It is 1–1, and both wins needed the same ring. We give it to Punk, because his win came in the decider and settled the feud, but MJF's Chicago win was the better story.
Our view: the matches were good, the promos were great.
Our verdict: CM Punk.
FAQ
Who won CM Punk vs. MJF?
They are 1–1: MJF won on Dynamite in Chicago on February 2, 2022, and Punk won the Dog Collar match at Revolution on March 6, 2022.
More rivalries
Sources: Wikipedia: Revolution (2022). Facts verified Oct 18, 2026.