Following the news of CM Punk’s AEW release on Saturday following a physical altercation at AEW All In, there have been some fans speculating that he might be headed back to WWE when he’s free and clear should there not be a non-compete clause in place as part of his termination.
Punk went to a WWE Raw event earlier this year, where he visited with friends, cleared the air with The Miz, and even talked with Triple H before being asked to leave.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported that people close to Punk say the idea of him working with WWE again was on the table from his end.
After being sidelined following surgery and the brawl with The Elite last year at All Out, Punk returned to AEW TV in June as he had remained under contract with the promotion.
Per the report, Punk was open to leaving AEW around last December. So much so that he encouraged the idea so he could make a WWE return.
They heard that he wanted to appear at the Royal Rumble this past January. It’s unclear whether WWE was interested in the idea nor whether AEW entertained the idea of releasing Punk.
There was a rumored idea that Punk would return at the 2023 WWE Royal Rumble and wrestle against the person who would eventually eliminate him. Kevin Owens’ name was thrown around as that person. That would’ve been the main event of WrestleMania 39 – night one.
This rumored idea has not been confirmed, but did make its way back to WWE talent.
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