CM Punk's WWE Return Saga Takes MAJOR Twist
Phil Brooks' WWE return saga is now as complicated as the man himself.
Contrary to reports circulating last week, CM Punk is not in WWE return talks - according to Fightful Select.
The outlet's sources have indicated that Punk heading back to WWE isn't currently planned. Higher-ups have claimed reports of negotiations between the two parties were false. As of yesterday, WWE's internal claim is that it is not conversing with Punk, who was fired from AEW with cause last month.
November's Survivor Series 2023 PLE had been rumoured as a potential return point for Punk, who hails from its location: Chicago, Illinois. Fightful states that WWE personnel wanted to make the lack of return talks clear to any fans expecting Punk to be at Survivor Series.
Fightful had previously reported that Punk had reached out to WWE concerning how the situation should be approached. A Punk-adjacent source believes this to be accurate, with the 44-year-old reportedly waiting to see if he'd hear back from WWE.
In addition to all of this, WWE talent who reached out to company higher-ups about the rumours this week were told Punk isn't coming back.
Dave Meltzer wrote in last week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Punk and WWE were in return talks, with the Chicagoan intending to return to the promotion he left in 2014. It was stressed, however, that no deal had been done at the time of reporting.
In a separate update, Fightful reported that its latest Punk details were procured unprompted, from sources who have never worked the media. WWE personnel do not want to set unrealistic expectations for Survivor Series - and talent has been outright told that WWE and Punk are not working on a return deal, currently.
Whether or not Punk is bound to a non-disclosure agreement or non-compete clause following his acrimonious AEW exit is unknown.