ROH Interested In CM Punk For MSG Show
Company has eyes on sensational move.
It looks as if Ring Of Honor's burgeoning ambitions are switching up a notch.
According to Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer, the Sinclair-owned company are interested in luring CM Punk back into the ring, with a view to their massive Madison Square Garden show co-branded with New Japan Pro Wrestling next April.
Meltzer was quick to point out that at this stage, the attempt is a long shot - but that "feelers have been sent".
Punk hasn't stepped into the squared circle since walking out on WWE in January 2014, effectively announcing his retirement from the business to embark on an unexpected MMA career.
His time in the Octagon has not been a roaring success. In his first fight, he was beaten in just over two minutes by Mickey Gall, and suffered a second decisive defeat at the hands of Mike Jackson this June. UFC President Dana White all but called time on Punk's mainstream MMA ambitions in the aftermath.
With his fighting career over, Punk's future is up in the air. A return to WWE is less likely than a snowstorm in the Sahara, given the acrimony over his departure, which was followed by the company's doctor pursuing legal action against Punk for defamatory claims said on Colt Cabana's podcast. Punk prevailed in court.
Ring Of Honor sent shockwaves through the business earlier this month when they announced the G1 Supercard, in partnership with NJPW, scheduled for Madision Square Garden over WrestleMania weekend. MSG has long been considered a home venue for WWE, and the company have repeatedly blocked attempts by other companies to run the arena. ROH's coup is a huge statement of intent; having Punk make a long-awaited return from his wrestling exodus would really hammer the point home - not to mention wind WWE up something silly.
Still, don't hold your breath - but watch this space.