CM Punk is the person WWE is currently looking at to take over NXT when Shawn Michaels moves into Bruce Prichard’s role, PWInsider reported on Friday.
According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, Punk has been at the majority of NXT broadcasts in recent weeks alongside Michaels and is “currently being prepped for that role.” There is no firm timeline, as the company wants to make sure it’s the right fit for everyone involved. The report did not say whether Punk would step away from the ring for a full-time backstage role or keep wrestling.
Michaels is expected to replace Bruce Prichard
PWInsider reported last month that Bruce Prichard is expected to retire as WWE’s Executive Director of Creative Writing & Talent after WrestleMania season and stay on as a consultant from Texas, and that Michaels is expected to step into that role. Michaels is expected to start splitting his time between NXT and WWE headquarters to prepare for the move, according to Friday’s report.
PWInsider also reported that AJ Styles, who has been rumored for the NXT job, has been producing at NXT, in part to cover for Terry Taylor as he recovered from knee surgery. WWE is looking to use Styles to help with scouting and the WWE ID program. Bobby Roode is being prepped for a top producer and creative role like the one Michael Hayes holds, and a WWE source said the company will likely pick several people to cover everything under Prichard.
Punk and NXT
Punk has spent a lot of time around NXT since he returned to WWE at Survivor Series in Chicago in November 2023. He has been at many NXT tapings and has worked with younger talent, and he has been pictured with NXT talent in posts on social media.
Michaels talked about Punk’s work with NXT talent on Good Karma Wrestling in 2024. “I think the fact that he supports us is huge,” Michaels said, adding that Punk “always checks with our coaches, checks with me again, making sure that we’re all on a unified front.”
Punk challenged Grayson Waller for the NXT Championship on the Nov. 4 episode of NXT. Waller retained when Kevin Owens jumped on the apron as Punk went for the GTS, and Waller rolled Punk up with a handful of tights.
As of this writing, Punk is advertised for the NXT Holiday Live Tour in Detroit on Nov. 14 and Chicago on Nov. 15.
JUST ANNOUNCED! 🚨 @CMPunk will be live on the #WWENXT Holiday Live Tour in Detroit and Chicago!
DETROIT 🎟️: https://t.co/vsM56YhixO
CHICAGO 🎟️: https://t.co/FlJ87LrzYv pic.twitter.com/DknOzbEeEj— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) October 30, 2026
