Las Vegas, 7 October - WWE is showing confidence in the prospect of
CM Punk making a return to the company. After his departure from AEW, there has been speculation about his future, with WWE insiders expressing their belief that Punk would consider signing with WWE if there was interest from the company. Over the past year, there have been indications that Punk was open to the idea of returning to WWE, but as of two weeks ago, there were no confirmed talks between him and WWE.
In late September, it seemed that there were tentative inquiries from Punk to WWE to gauge interest. A suggestion from one WWE employee was that having a direct conversation with Vince McMahon would be the best way to secure a return. It's worth noting that in the past,
Vince McMahon had been firm in expressing disinterest in bringing Punk back, although Fox had advocated for his return before he joined AEW.
According to
Fightful Select, CM Punk would indeed consider signing with WWE. However, it's important to note that there is still lingering tension between Punk and WWE, dating back to his last run almost ten years ago. Many individuals within WWE would want to be consulted in the event of Punk's return to prevent any conflicts similar to those witnessed during his time in AEW.
One top WWE star emphasized that Punk would have to adhere to a different code of conduct in
WWE, as there would be no room for his previous antics. When discussing Punk's potential return with other top talent, there was a consensus that the primary conversation should be with Punk himself. Some believed that Triple H might be hesitant to take on the negativity that Punk could bring, although it wouldn't be the first time Triple H has worked with someone carrying baggage during his tenure.
Within AEW, some top stars noted that Punk had openly expressed his dislike for WWE, Triple H, and Vince McMahon before the Brawl Out event. They would be surprised if he chose to return to WWE, especially given his current career situation, which is perceived as less forgiving.
It's important to clarify that as of now, nobody in WWE, whether talent or creative, has been informed about Punk's potential return. Information regarding future plans related to Punk's return is limited, with very few individuals being privy to such details.
Sources close to Punk have openly discussed his interest in returning to WWE, with some even stating that if there were genuine WWE interest, he would consider it. However, there is a significant issue in that both Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns have previously expressed their unfavorable opinions of Punk. Most parties involved believe that reconciliations would need to take place to facilitate a successful return.
One WWE source strongly believed that when Punk appeared backstage at
WWE Raw earlier this year, he was attempting to get his job back. However, the overall sentiment is that based on that experience, a return to WWE is unlikely. Some suggest that Punk's appearance was aimed at building alliances, particularly considering the bumps in the road leading to his eventual return to AEW. #
Another aspect of the discussion revolves around workload. Punk took pride in being a regular presence on AEW programming, and his salary exceeded that of many top WWE stars who work full-time. WWE sources feel that Punk's bargaining power has diminished over time, and this could play a significant role in negotiations regarding his schedule and compensation if he does decide to return.
Lastly, it's worth mentioning that while it's highly unlikely, the
IMPACT Wrestling locker room would welcome Punk, as he made a positive impression during a backstage visit several months ago. #
CM Punk was indeed reached for comment but did not receive a response.
There is no official confirmation of Punk's return to WWE, and many top WWE talents are opposed to the idea. However, both those close to Punk and WWE insiders believe it's a possibility, but there are significant hurdles to overcome.
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