As we previously reported here on eWn, CM Punk failed to land a WWE contract following his AEW firing this past September as the Endeavor-owned promotion believed that the negatives involved with Punk’s return far outweighed the positives.
However, that hasn’t stopped speculation about a potential Punk return, which has been spurred by comments the former AEW World Champion has made, suggesting he might be heading there.
WWE did not get asked about a possible CM Punk return at the Fastlane 2023 media scrum, though the company reportedly expected to be and even prepped Superstars on the matter.
WWE has been attempting to nullify expectations of Punk’s return at Survivor Series 2023, and Fightful Select reports that several people in the company were surprised that they weren’t asked about Punk at the Fastlane 2023 press conference.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque and several other WWE Superstars were prepared for the occasion with some talents being armed with delivering the company line in case they were asked about Punk’s status.
The company line was that there was no ill will between Punk and WWE and even though he could return, no negotiations had taken place, he wasn’t planned for Survivor Series 2023, and fans should purchase tickets without the expectation to see him at the event. It was said that WWE officials “coached” their talents on how to respond to any CM Punk questions.
Triple H is reported to have been specifically expecting to be asked about Punk’s return at the presser.
WWE higher-ups were asked this past Monday if anything had changed regarding Punk’s status, and a “firm no” was given as a response.
