8 Things That Could Tempt CM Punk To Make WWE Return
"And you coming back to me, is against all odds, but it's a chance I've got to take..."
In one of the most high profile WWE exits of all time, Phil 'CM Punk' Brooks left the WWE under a dark cloud in January 2014.
Citing months of injury problems and bad booking decisions, the Chicago native had finally decided enough was enough, and walked out on the company after a showdown meeting with Vince McMahon and Triple H where he gave them both barrels and told them exactly what he thought of them.
Punk was the quintessential modern WWE superstar; He had everything from incredibly passionate promos to stellar, unforgettable matches. His departure has left a gaping hole in WWE's main event scene ever since, and despite repeatedly stating that he will never return to the company - not to mention he’s now contracted with UFC - fans the world over still clamour for his return to the squared circle.
Such is the ill-feeling between Punk and his former employers, it would take a huge undertaking from WWE's viewpoint to even convince Punk to open dialogue with them again, let alone enter any sort of contract negotiations.
Still, Punk's return to the company in 2016 would be quite something. It would be a huge moment in the industry, not to mention it would boost the depleted main event ranks considerably with all the injuries they've been suffering of late.
Here are eight things WWE could use as potential leverage in order to try and tempt CM Punk back to the company.
8. Let Him Publicly Get Everything Off His Chest (Again)
By this point Punk's feelings towards WWE since his departure have been well documented on numerous occasions. Amongst a plethora of reasons, his anger mainly stemmed from mis-treatment by WWE's medical staff, in addition to repeated frustrations with the way his character was booked.
By giving him the opportunity to publicly get everything off his chest on WWE TV, it would allow both himself and the company to start afresh with a clean slate, with everything out in the open, much like they did in 2011 after his famous ‘pipebomb’ promo.
Granted, the company might be quite hesitant about this and may have to swallow some humble pie as a result of any comments he makes about them, but it would also be a tremendous gesture on their part to allow him the freedom to speak his mind and state exactly what his intentions are upon his big return.
Punk's collection of promos back in 2011 were a thing of beauty, some of WWE's most entertaining pieces of mic work in several years. Giving him the microphone again right out of the gate would allow him to pick up from where he left off with some memorable promos and much more intriguing match build-up compared to the creative team’s recent efforts.