CM Punk made a return to IMPACT Wrestling.
Following the promotion presenting a well-received Bound For Glory pay-per-view, the next round of tapings took place at the Cicero Stadium in Chicago, IL the next day.
As reported by Haus of Wrestling, the former AEW World Champion was not present at Bound For Glory but was spotted backstage at the weekly TV tapings. It is stated that Punk showed up at the building just before tapings began and was shown to the locker room area. The report goes on to say that unlike when CM Punk visited IMPACT back in April, this time Punk showed up when it was darker and closer to bell time so as to not draw any attention.
Sources stated that while Punk was backstage he spoke with any members of the roster who requested his time, which included “Key IMPACT talent.”
The surprise appearance follows on from an initial report that Ace Steel would serve a backstage role for the promotion moving forward. Haus off Wrestling has confirmed that Steel was at the tapings and was well received by those in attendance. Surprisingly, there was talk of having Steel enter the Gauntlet For The Gold match at Bound For Glory, but this idea did not go ahead as there were concerns that this would anticipate a Punk debut that was never going to happen as he was spotted at the Chicago Blackhawks ice hockey game that night.
When Did CM Punk Last Wrestle For IMPACT?
Punk wrestled for the promotion when it was still known as NWA: TNA. The second city saint debuted alongside Steel in September 2002. Punk departed the promotion in 2004 following a ruling that prevented contracted talent from also working dates for Ring of Honor due to the controversy associated with ROH founder Rob Feinstein.