On a recent exploration documented in “Stephanie’s Places,” Stephanie McMahon revisited the world of WWE, offering a unique perspective shaped by her lifelong connection to the business – from growing up behind the scenes to becoming an on-camera villain and eventually Co-CEO before stepping away in 2023. Her journey back, particularly to WWE’s new world headquarters, served as a backdrop to delve into one of the most potent emotional drivers in sports entertainment: the superstar return, using CM Punk’s monumental comeback as a central case study.
“As long as I can remember, WWE has been a constant,” Stephanie reflected, setting the stage for her visit. The new headquarters, featuring a stunning lobby dominated by an Andre the Giant statue (“There was no question what we were going to put here. It was always Andre… He fully represents the notion of magic coming to life”), evoked powerful feelings of homecoming. But beyond the impressive architecture, Stephanie focused on the human element and the narratives that define WWE.
Returns, as Stephanie highlighted, “strike at the very core of the emotionality that defines World Wrestling Entertainment.” Whether it’s the “surprise and delight” of John Cena returning early from injury or the eruption sparked by The Undertaker’s WrestleMania reappearance, these moments resonate deeply. “For our fans, it doesn’t get much better than a surprise return of their favorite superstar,” she noted.
Her husband, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque, offered insight into the performer’s perspective, recalling the intense doubt accompanying his own return from a severe quadriceps injury. “Returns are scary,” Triple H admitted. Stephanie remembered his vulnerability: “It was the first time that I had ever seen you have a moment of doubt… You told me you were nervous that they weren’t going to care.” Triple H confirmed, “When it comes to big returns, that doubt hits everybody,” even sharing advice Steve Austin gave him before his Madison Square Garden return in 2002.
This theme of doubt and the seemingly impossible return crystallized around CM Punk. His departure in 2014 followed creative differences and the infamous “pipe bomb” promo, making a reunion seem unthinkable. “If there was ever a guy you said will never return here, it would be CM Punk, right?” Triple H stated. But times change. He recounted a pivotal phone call: “I said, Phil, if you’re the same person now that you were 10 years ago, you wasted 10 years of your life… let’s put all that stuff beside us and talk about, what are the possibilities.” The actual return at Survivor Series in Chicago, Punk’s hometown, came together rapidly, fraught with uncertainty. “I guarantee you he was beside him[self] with doubt,” Triple H speculated.
CM Punk himself provided his perspective, sitting down with Stephanie ahead of his SummerSlam match in Cleveland. On why returns matter, Punk reflected, “Fans attach themselves to people for sometimes unknown reasons, but the comeback. It’s always about that comeback. They want to see the redemption arc.” He also spoke about the fear involved, drawing parallels to his UFC experience. A comment Stephanie recalled was that returning to WWE “‘scared the crap out of you, which is why you had to do it.'” Punk elaborated, “Everything else is the easy way out… There is no reward without the risk… Fortune favors the bold.” He acknowledged the growth needed on both sides: “This isn’t CM Punk talking to Triple H. This is Phil Brooks talking to Paul Levesque.”
Despite suffering a torn triceps shortly after his WWE return, Punk rehabbed and made his in-ring singles comeback at SummerSlam in Cleveland – the same city he’d walked out from years prior. While he didn’t win the match (against Drew McIntyre), the significance wasn’t lost. “Punks return more than lived up to the hype, but most importantly, CM Punk was right back where he belonged,” commentary noted. Punk himself, though emotional post-match, seemed at peace: “Yeah, I’m having, I’m having a cry right now… Yeah, I’m really happy right now.”
For Stephanie, witnessing these journeys reinforced the core of WWE. “WWE is built on hope,” she stated, surrounded by history at HQ. Reflecting on Punk’s words and her own return visit, she concluded, “As punk said, if you aren’t afraid, then your dreams aren’t big enough. My dream has always been WWE and there was no better feeling than coming home.” The episode powerfully illustrated how, in WWE, the comeback narrative remains one of its most enduring and resonant forms of storytelling.
Stephanie’s Places is streaming on ESPN, Disney+ and Hulu.
