It was being reported by multiple sources that WWE and CM Punk were close to making a deal and the chances of him showing up at Survivor Series were pretty likely. However, all that seems to have proven wrong, since it’s now being reported that WWE apparently turned down Punk’s offer to return.
CM Punk’s contract with AEW was terminated last month, in the fallout of his backstage altercation with Jack Perry at All In. Since then, it was being heavily rumored that The Second City Saint will be making his return to the Stamford-based promotion. However, this rumor had both positive and negative reactions tharoughout the past few weeks.
WWE rejects CM Punk’s request
After weeks of no positive or negative news on the situation regarding WWE and CM Punk, fans began looking for any clues that the Stamford-based promotion had dropped to Punk. However, it was being reported in the past few days that WWE and CM Punk were in talks and that it was very likely that The Chicago-born superstar would make his long-awaited return to the company at Survivor Series in his hometown.
WOR: They [WWE] turned CM Punk down. He wanted to go there and the decision was a no. It can always change, and it was brought up that there's no such thing as 'no forever' when it comes to WWE but it's no for now. That was the decision that was made. It's Vince's decision.… pic.twitter.com/4TTRuKtr9k
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) October 11, 2023
Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio recently shed some light on WWE’s decision regarding CM Punk. Unfortunately for Punk’s fans, it looks like the Stamford-based promotion isn’t looking forward to working with him. According to Meltzer and a lot of other sources, the decision came straight from Vince McMahon himself. McMahon, along with Triple H and Nick Khan decided that the decision to bring Punk back has more negatives than positives. Interestingly, it was initially reported that McMahon would have no say in the decision regarding Punk’s return.
“They turned him down. The decision was a no”, said Dave Meltzer. “He wanted to go there and the decision was a no. I mean, it can always change and it was brought up to me that there is no such thing as no forever when it comes to WWE but it’s no for now.”
Meltzer further added, “It’s Vince [McMahon]’s decision. Vince, Nick Khan, Paul Levesque [Triple H] and, obviously, they decided that the negatives outweighed the positives.”
According to a report by Dave Meltzer, WWE has firmly stated a ‘no’ regarding CM Punk’s return. While this stance could change in the future, it’s currently off the table. Notably, WWE recently lost Adam Copeland, formerly known as Edge, to AEW, and they may explore options to counter this move. However, it’s worth mentioning that CM Punk, often referred to as ‘The Second City Saint,’ has a history of backstage issues with WWE, which led to his departure from the company in 2014, on his wedding day.
Fans reaction to WWE refusing to bring back CM Punk
Fans have been theorizing for weeks about Punk’s return to the Stamford-based promotion. With the recent news about WWE declining The Second City Saint’s offer to return, it looks like some fans are still skeptical about the news.
I don’t buy it, see u at survivor series punk
— Alex (@xAlexTHFC) October 11, 2023
Don't buy it, he is coming back folks, these are just work
— Anuraj Kumar (@BeAnuraj) October 11, 2023
Some fans are hopeful about CM Punk’s return to WWE, while others are skeptical, believing the news could be a promotional tactic designed to surprise fans with his eventual return to the company.
With no other positive reinforcement about CM Punk’s situation with WWE, it looks like it’s best to not hold on to hopes of him returning anytime soon. Although things might change in the future between them, we just need to wait for further information on the matter. Stay tuned for further updates on CM Punk and WWE.
