Top WWE Talent “All For” CM Punk Return

CM Punk has been the subject of much discussion among WWE talent since his termination from AEW.

Ahead of the September 2nd episode of Collision, it was announced that AEW had decided to terminate CM Punk’s contract with cause after he was involved in a backstage altercation with Jack Perry at All In the previous week. Tony Khan took responsibility for the decision, saying it was made after unanimous advice from a disciplinary council as well as legal representation.

Naturally, fans have begun to wonder whether Punk might finally make a return to WWE in the wake of his being fired from AEW. Punk’s 2014 exit from the sports entertainment giant was contentious, and the company famously sent him termination papers on the day he married fellow WWE star AJ Lee.

According to a new report from PWInsider Elite, CM Punk’s potential future was being discussed backstage in WWE “within minutes” of his firing from AEW. Much of the discussion was taking place among top talent, and while some were firmly against the idea of his return, others believe it could be a “chance to make big money.” PWInsider knows of one top talent who was said to be “all for” Punk’s return, but that call isn’t the talent’s to make.

WWE Executives haven’t given much information to PWInsider beyond the fact that they “have a merger to finalize” before talking about bringing in big money talent. Ultimately, Endeavor would be the ones in charge when it comes to whether or not to bring CM Punk back to WWE, and Punk had a good relationship with Endeavor when he worked with UFC in the past.

While Punk’s exit from WWE was a heated one, he did speak with Triple H earlier this year when he visited WWE Raw in Chicago. According to PWInsider, a full-time return isn’t likely, but Punk working a limited schedule for big money matches is “certainly a possibility” if WWE wants to move in that direction.

CM Punk Wanted To Return To WWE At 2023 Royal Rumble

According to a new report from Fightful Select, CM Punk considered a WWE return while he was on the outs with AEW in late 2022 and early 2023 as a result of his altercation with The Elite at All Out. Sources close to Punk indicated that he not only entertained the idea of leaving All Elite Wrestling, he was in favor of the idea so that he would be able to make a return to WWE. Specifically, Punk wanted to return to the 2023 Royal Rumble, but there is no word on if WWE considered taking him back or whether he would have been granted a release from AEW at the time.

Continuing, Fightful Select revealed a rumor that gained enough steam that it made its way back to WWE talent. According to the rumor (which has not been confirmed by Punk or those in his camp), Punk wanted to make his return at the Royal Rumble to set up a WrestleMania match with the man who eliminated him The name being discussed for that feud was Kevin Owens.