CM Punk Wanted WWE Royal Rumble Return

CM Punk wanted a program with a WrestleMania main eventer if he returned to WWE earlier in 2023.

CM Punk is no longer All Elite after AEW confirmed that the star had been “terminated for cause with immediate effect” following an altercation with Jack Perry at All In. Tony Khan has described fearing for his life as a result of what went on in Wembley Stadium with Punk believed to have had his own incident with Khan as well.

Punk’s time in AEW was troubled ever since his infamous fight with The Elite at All Out in 2022 and it seems, the former AEW World Champion had designs on a return to WWE following that event.

CM Punk could have been a Royal Rumble surprise

Fightful Select has reported that following All Out 2022, things between AEW and CM Punk were contentious although he was in touch with Tony Khan. However, it is also claimed Punk was open to leaving Khan’s company so he could make a return to WWE at the 2023 Royal Rumble.

An idea that has not been confirmed but is said to have made its way to WWE talent was that Punk would end up working at WrestleMania 39 against the man who would have eliminated him from the Royal Rumble match, with the suggestion made that Punk’s opponent was to be Kevin Owens. Owens headlined WrestleMania 39, winning the WWE Tag Team Championship with Sami Zayn from The Usos.

There is also no confirmation that WWE was interested in bringing Punk back at that time and as it stood, AEW did not release him from his contract then.

CM Punk had previously been part of WWE, climbing his way to becoming WWE Champion in 2011 as part of a memorable storyline with John Cena. Punk walked out of the company on the day after the 2014 Royal Rumble and was released from his contract later that same year.