CM Punk is closing in on a stunning return to WWE.
While Punk hasn’t stood in a WWE ring since the 2014 Royal Rumble on January 26th, 2014, that could be about to change. Following his explosive exit from AEW, which followed an equally explosive two years with the company, Punk is now a free agent.
This has naturally sparked speculation that he could be heading back to WWE despite his acrimonious departure just under a decade ago. After all, professional wrestling history has shown time and time again that if there’s money to be made, there isn’t a deal that can’t be done.
Writing in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer suggested there’s more than a little truth to the speculation, reporting that Punk and WWE are in talks over a deal.
“Regarding C.M. Punk, there is obviously tons of talk regarding him returning. There have been rumors that it’s happening, but those in WWE have only said that no deal is completed and those close to Punk have told us that it is his intention to return and the two sides are in talks.
One would expect if such a deal is made that Survivor Series weekend in Chicago would be the time to do the surprise return.”
In a follow-up report, Nick Hausman noted that the incidents that led to Punk’s exit from AEW wouldn’t be held against him if he went back to WWE. Hausman added that a WWE source claimed Punk is a “safe bet” to be in attendance at Survivor Series.
In a new update by Fightful Select, CM Punk still has “a ton of heat” within WWE, making the return seem less likely. The same report noted that at least one source within WWE believes CM Punk was trying to get his job back when he visited Raw back in April.
CM Punk Seemingly Referenced On WWE Raw
In recent weeks fans believe they’ve picked up on a few references to CM Punk on WWE television. Seth Rollins called himself the “best in the world” — a known CM Punk catchphrase, on October 2nd, and Michael Cole recently paralleled language used by Punk in a famous promo in Ring of Honor.
The Punk rumours appear to have been partly beneficial for the ticket sales of Survivor Series as the show will be undergoing big changes.