WWE's Secret CM Punk Tactics Revealed
How WWE is handling speculation linking CM Punk with a major return.
WWE's stance on re-signing CM Punk remains a "firm no," but the promotion had briefed company personnel to field questions on such speculation after October's Fastlane premium live event.
Fightful Select reports that Chief Content Officer Paul 'Triple H' Levesque and several wrestlers were prepared to answer questions on Punk at the post-Fastlane press conference. No questions were forthcoming, however.
WWE sources have expressed surprise at the lack of Punk-centric questions at Fastlane. Had the 45-year-old been brought up, WWE's line was to be that although there was no ill will between the two parties, Punk wasn't signed, there weren't any ongoing negotiations, and fans shouldn't expect to see the Chicagoan at Survivor Series 2023 (25 November). WWE wished to note, too, that "the possibility is always there."
Fightful checked in with WWE higher-ups on Punk's status this past Monday. The "firm no" stood at this point.
Punk has been a free agent since AEW fired him with cause in early September, doing so following a backstage fight with Jack Perry at August's blockbuster All In pay-per-view. Several promotions, including IMPACT Wrestling and the NWA, have attempted to woo him since, though WWE, for now, appears to have opted against bringing him back.