CM Punk To WWE: Everything You Need To Know

By Andy H Murray / September 4, 2023

CM Punk's AEW firing has generated understandable speculation on a potential WWE return for the controversial 44-year-old, who was let go by the promotion last week following his latest backstage fight.

AEW founder and CEO Tony Khan, who stated during Saturday's Collision taping that he "feared for his life" following Punk's All In clash with Jack Perry, refused to comment on the terms of the Chicagoan's release during last night's post-All Out media scrum.

When asked if Punk was bound to a non-compete clause after his release, Khan thanked Punk for what he did for AEW as a wrestler, but didn't want to comment on the terms of separation. Khan reiterated that it was a difficult move, but in his eyes, the right one.

Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston asked if CM Punk was tied to a no compete clause.

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Tony Khan didn’t elaborate on the terms of his termination but thanked CM Punk for what he did for AEW as a wrestler, while reiterating that he found the decision to fire him a difficult but… pic.twitter.com/MgwhRwesax

— Ibou, of WrestlePurists (@BackupHangman) September 4, 2023

Fightful Select reported over the weekend that there was no word on a non-compete period, which would prevent Punk from signing or appearing for another wrestling promotion during the stated period. The outlet noted, however, that Punk "... still has major heat with numerous top names in WWE."

Elaborating, Sean Ross Sapp tweeted that Punk might not be the most popular man within WWE:

There's always a chance, but there are a lot of top people on the roster in WWE that don't want him there. https://t.co/nv0nnvuqIQ

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— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) September 3, 2023

Meanwhile, on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that although WWE couldn't legally pursue Punk when he was attempting to negotiate an AEW contract buyout after All Out 2022, they may do so now. "You just don't know," said Meltzer. "It's different people in charge, it's a different time."

Punk is yet to comment on his AEW departure.