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Breaking News: CM Punk Has Joined “WWE Backstage” Show on FS1

TJR Wrestling

CM Punk has returned to WWE…sort of.

At the end of tonight’s WWE Backstage show on Fox Sports 1, the song “Cult of Personality” hit and out walked former WWE Champion CM Punk. It’s the first time Punk has appeared on any WWE programming since Royal Rumble 2014 when he left the company.

You can watch it in the clip below.

Punk walked onto the stage with Renee Young, Booker T, Samoa Joe, Adam Cole and Paige. Most of them didn’t know this was happening. Paige kept asking if this was a rib (a joke).

Punk looked to the camera: “It’s as simple as this. Just when they think they’ve got the answers, I change the culture. I’ll see you here next week.”

According to the WWE on Fox Twitter account, Punk will appear on WWE Backstage periodically.

Fox Sports sent out this press release tonight:

CM PUNK JOINS WWE BACKSTAGE ON FS1

“The Best in the World” to Appear as Special Contributor and Analyst

Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 11:00 PM ET

Los AngelesCM Punk, one of the most celebrated WWE Superstars of all time, joins the roster of FS1’s WWE BACKSTAGE beginning next week, Tues, Nov. 19at 11:00 PM ET/8:00 PM PT.

Phil Brooks, better known as CM Punk, joins WWE BACKSTAGE as a special contributor and analyst. He will make select appearances in studio alongside host Renee Young and analyst Booker T.

“The Best in the World” joins fellow regular contributors Christian and Paige, as well as news correspondent Ryan Satin on the WWE BACKSTAGE rotation.

Television’s only studio show devoted to all things WWE, BACKSTAGE discusses the week’s biggest stories with a varied cast of guests and personalities, in addition to breaking news and exclusive behind-the-scenes access to WWE.

WWE BACKSTAGE airs Tuesdays at 11:00 PM ET/8:00 PM PT on FS1. For more information, visit FOX Sports Press Pass.

Does this mean CM Punk will wrestle in WWE again? We don’t know that right now, but the fact that he’s on WWE Backstage shows that he is working with the company in some capacity although it’s Fox Sports that would be paying for him this. Still, it’s a WWE show. Never say never, I guess.

It is being reported by PWInsider that CM Punk has signed a deal with Fox and has not signed anything with WWE. The decision to hire Punk was 100% a Fox call, but WWE approved it. I’m sure they all know Punk’s presence will help the viewership numbers for the show.

Some wrestlers chimed in too.

TJR Thoughts: That’s awesome. I’m glad that Punk is on this show. We knew he tried out months ago and I was shocked he wasn’t officially on the cast. Now he is. Perhaps it was due to low ratings last week because with Punk’s presence, more fans are going to watch. Whatever the reason, as a CM Punk fan, I’m glad he’s involved with WWE in some capacity once again after over five years away.