CM Punk sees Darby Allin as a cornerstone of AEW.

In an interview with SI FanNation, Punk was asked who in AEW best compares to Connor Bedard, the number one pick from the 2023 NHL Draft who is expected to be a generational superstar for the Chicago Blackhawks.

“It’s Darby Allin,” Punk responded. “He’s still fairly young, and he always makes chicken salad out of chicken sh*t."

Punk added that the 30-year-old Allin has the "It Factor" and is someone who has a ton to offer AEW.

“He’s got that 'It Factor,' and he’s really getting comfortable. We had a whole big promo segment a few weeks ago [on Collision], and I thought he shined. That made me super proud," Punk said. "He has a ton to offer, as long as he doesn’t kill himself jumping over his house in a f*cking monster truck or something like that.”

Punk & Allin teamed together in a loss to Ricky Starks & Christian Cage on the July 22 episode of AEW Collision.

Allin was Punk's first-ever opponent in AEW. After a seven-year hiatus from pro wrestling, Punk returned to the ring by defeating Allin at All Out 2021.

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Allin is teaming with Sting in a coffin match against Swerve Strickland & AR Fox at AEW All In this Sunday (August 27). Punk will also be in action at the Wembley Stadium pay-per-view, defending his "Real World Championship" against Samoa Joe.