Real Reason WWE REJECTED CM Punk

WWE's decision to not re-sign CM Punk was because the promotion believes it is strong enough without the controversial former AEW star.

Dave Meltzer writes in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that with WWE in "such good shape" at the moment, the shot-callers didn't want to bring somebody in who could potentially become "a negative." Thus, Executive Chairman Vince McMahon made the call.

Meltzer reported on WWE turning Punk down earlier this week. Having previously reported that despite Punk wanting to go back to WWE, there hadn't been any talks, Meltzer noted that McMahon had decided the negatives of bringing Punk back outweighed the positives.

In this week's WON, it is stated that although WWE is against re-signing Punk for now, this could change in the future. Meltzer's WWE sources have told him "not to close the door on it completely."

AEW fired Punk with cause on 2 September, stemming from his alleged backstage brawl with Jack Perry at 27 August's All In pay-per-view. Company CEO Tony Khan commented that the incident made him "fear for his life."

Previously, AEW had served Punk an indefinite suspension for fighting with The Elite after All Out 2022.