CM Punk At WWE Raw: Even MORE Backstage Details On Shock Visit
Another backstage update on CM Punk following his headline-making WWE Raw visit.
Serial headline dominator CM Punk is at it again this week, visiting last night's WWE Raw while still contracted to AEW, leading to Vince McMahon having the 44-year-old removed from the building.
Paul 'Triple H' Levesque, The Miz, Baron Corbin, Tamina, and Bobby Lashley were amongst the people Punk was seen talking to at Rosemont, IL's Allstate Arena. The former AEW and WWE World Champion was then asked to leave, doing so without incident, sparking disbelief in both companies.
Following the initial news storm, PWInsider's Mike Johnson has dropped the biggest update yet, noting that Punk had been in Florida over the weekend. WWE personnel were on the same flight as him from Tampa, leading to Punk learning that Raw was taking place close to his Chicago, IL home.
Other WWE talents brought Punk into the Allstate Arena upon his arrival. Punk ended up sitting "in full view of anyone who came past" in a common area, which is when he bumped into Levesque. When Punk asked Triple H if the visit was okay, and if WWE's Chief Content Officer had time for a two-minute chat, Levesque responded that he'd have to check with the "big guy", alluding to Vince McMahon.
As previously reported, Punk and Miz spoke, settling lingering issues between the two. Those who bumped into Punk were greeted warmly by the AEW-contracted star.
20 minutes into his visit, Punk was told that he would need to leave. The 44-year-old respected this, said his goodbyes, and departed.
Johnson notes that a WWE source felt previous reports stating Punk had been asked to leave as he is contracted to AEW weren't accurate, as several other AEW wrestlers have been backstage in WWE recently. The difference here, however, could be the legal issues between WWE and Punk stemming from the AEW man's prior relationship with the company.
Punk is understood to still be under AEW contract for a "lengthy" period. That his Raw visit may have been an attempt at gauging WWE interest has been dismissed, with his contractual situation preventing him from legally negotiating.