The Intriguing Puzzle of CM Punk: Could His WWE Comeback Spell Disaster?

In the professional wrestling world, fans are often told that the industry thrives on the motto "never say never." Despite past missteps and seemingly irreparable relationships, a comeback is always a possibility, especially if it means big money. That's why the return of CM Punk to WWE, nearly ten years after his controversial departure, shouldn't come as a shock.

The rift between Punk and WWE was incredibly bitter, marked by a number of dramatic events. Punk recounted his side of the story in two interviews on Colt Cabana's The Art of Wrestling podcast, revealing the health issues and injuries he endured during his time in the WWE. This led to a lawsuit from WWE's senior ringside physician, Dr. Christopher Amann, for defamation, which was ultimately won by Punk and Cabana. However, the fallout from the lawsuit ended their friendship and seemingly ended any chance of Punk returning to WWE.

Fast forward to 2021 and we have the disastrous run of CM Punk in All Elite Wrestling. He debuted to a sold-out United Center in his hometown of Chicago, primed to be the new face of the fledgling company. While he had memorable matches at first, and even won the world championship on two occasions, those highlights were mired by injuries, reports of backstage altercations, suspensions, having the AEW World Championship stripped from him, and ultimately being fired for cause after AEW CEO Tony Khan claimed, "I've been going to wrestling shows for over 30 years. I've been producing them on this network for four years. Never in all that time have I ever felt until last Sunday that my security, my safety, my life was in danger at a wrestling show."

While no details were provided about why Khan felt in danger, the notion that Punk was fired over the incident made him look unhirable to those on the outside. For the first time ever, "never" seemed like an appropriate response.

There was much speculation about his potential return to WWE, potentially at the 2023 Survivor Series in Chicago. However, given his past criticisms of current head of WWE creative, Paul "Triple H" Levesque, it seemed unlikely. Nevertheless, during the final moments of Survivor Series, the Chicago crowd was surprised and thrilled to hear Punk's signature song, "Cult of Personality," playing and see his name appear on the video screen. Although WWE had pulled a similar trick before, it wasn't until the former AEW star made his appearance on stage that the crowd truly expressed their appreciation.

Punk's dramatic entrance into the Chicago room has kept fans on the edge of their seats. But it's not until Monday Night Raw that he finally reveals his intentions, making it possibly the most anticipated episode of wrestling television in 2023. However, don't expect him to delve into the details of his departure from AEW, as Khan has stated he's legally unable to comment on the situation.

The real question is: Should WWE even consider bringing Punk back into the fold? There are two opposing views on this, so let's examine both cases, shall we?

The return of CM Punk to WWE creates the kind of buzz and excitement that the company aims for. In an era where wrestling news is often leaked, the shock of his return has captured the attention of fans and the wrestling community, even overshadowing AEW's major signing. WWE has successfully surprised viewers in a time where everything is easily revealed online.

The return of Punk to WWE also signals that the company is the dominant force in pro wrestling. This is evident as Punk is now the second top-level AEW talent to return to WWE, following Cody Rhodes in 2022. AEW was intended to be the alternative to WWE, but now, several years into its existence, we have witnessed two of its most prominent stars returning to WWE. Additionally, the departure of Brian Pillman Jr. and Jade Cargill from AEW to pursue careers in WWE further solidifies WWE, and its parent company TKO Corp., as the unquestionable leader in the world of wrestling.

Importantly, the re-signing of CM Punk is a significant achievement for Levesque and WWE CEO Nick Khan. Their leadership has been marked by this milestone. This parallels the noteworthy decisions made by Disney CEO Bob Iger when he took the helm of the company, making significant purchases that defined his legacy with The Walt Disney Company including acquiring Pixar and Marvel Comics.

Levesque and Khan's decision to bring Punk back to WWE mirrors a similar situation. It sends a clear message to the world that the two are prepared to take whatever steps necessary, even if it means collaborating with talent that has openly criticized WWE, in order to maintain their position at the top and safeguard the company's future.

What's more, this move comes at a critical juncture as WWE is in the midst of negotiating the TV rights for Monday Night Raw. Additionally, with Smackdown's move to USA next year, it's likely that they are in discussions with potential partners beyond their usual cable networks. The return of CM Punk and the promotion of Randy Orton for Raw further enhances the appeal of WWE's Monday night programming, making it even more attractive than it has been in recent weeks.

Ever since Vince McMahon stepped down from his roles in WWE, leading to Levesque overseeing the entire creative team, there has been a significant improvement in the quality of WWE's programming. Ratings have gone up and more live event tickets are being sold. With the return of Orton and Punk on Raw, the value of the show is expected to increase even further.

This also gives Punk the opportunity to ensure that his career does not end on a negative note. Regardless of one's feelings towards CM Punk or AEW, his time there has been tarnished to the extent that it could have defined his legacy in pro wrestling. With so much that remains unknown about what really happened behind the scenes, including the events of the All In 2022 press conference and the reported altercations backstage at AEW shows, without a chance at redemption, that could have been the defining legacy of Punk's career.

Given another chance to sparkle in WWE, Punk now has more influence over his own career path. Undoubtedly, he is also bound by a complex contract to prevent a repeat of what supposedly occurred in AEW. Nevertheless, perhaps this newfound "freedom" is exactly what Punk needs as a performer. During his previous tenure in WWE, he thrived on developing the character of CM Punk, from leading the Straight-Edge Society to his reign as the best in the world. Now, he has the opportunity to recapture some of that magic, ideally steering clear of the grumpy veteran persona he's portrayed since returning to the industry.

Truly, the potential for CM Punk in WWE is limitless, especially when considering the multitude of matches he is sure to have. It would be a major oversight if WWE does not capitalize on a rivalry with Seth Rollins right away. In addition, individuals such as Gunther, Austin Theory, Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso, Cody Rhodes, and even Logan Paul are likely to engage in incredible matches with Punk. We would even include The Miz in that category, given the complicated history between the two.

In a perfect world, this is a wonderful moment for WWE, for Punk, and for the fans. However, if there's one thing wrestling isn't, it's perfect.

The case against CM Punk

If you firmly believe that WWE should steer clear of Punk, you're onto something. Over the past two years, he has dealt with injuries, suspensions, backstage fights, and even threatened his former boss, Tony Khan. When he was let go, both Khan and AEW made it clear that Punk was fired "for cause." This wasn't a typical contract release or expiration. This wasn't a suspension pending release. CM Punk was fired by AEW, or at least whatever being fired is when you are an independent contractor.

Adding someone like that to the team could easily lead to human resources issues. Furthermore, reports and fan videos from Survivor Series suggest that there are a number of talents who are unhappy about Punk's return, including Rollins.

While the actions at Survivor Series may have seemed like setups for future storylines, it was earlier this year that Rollins referred to Punk as a "cancer" and advised him to stay away from WWE. It's possible that Rollins has been setting up a long-term angle. Alternatively, Punk may have some fences to mend now that he's back in WWE.

However, will this result in a surge in WWE's ratings? Ultimately, that is what truly matters in the wrestling business. While there is a possibility of a short-term spike, there isn't much long-term evidence to support this.

In essence, what does this say about toxic talent in the industry? I'm not saying CM Punk is toxic, but there were toxic traits evident during his time in AEW. The reports and allegations we've heard, along with Tony Khan's comments about firing Punk, would make him unemployable in most places if he wasn't CM Punk. If I were a WWE talent working hard to reach the next level, only to see someone who appears unappreciative of his accomplishments, I would be upset.

At the post-Survivor Series press conference, Levesque acknowledged that both he and Punk had changed in the past decade since their initial disagreement. "Everyone grows and changes," he stated to the press. "I am not the same person, and neither is he. The company is different, and we are all starting on equal ground."

However, recent evidence from just a few months ago suggests that Punk may still have the same volatile tendencies he had after leaving WWE. This lingering stigma may continue to affect him in the future.

Only Punk can fix that. In the world of modern wrestling, he's often portrayed as part of the old guard - the type of wrestler who shakes hands, offers advice, and loves the craft of pro wrestling. This is the CM Punk that first arrived in AEW, before slowly fading away as he became more disgruntled. This is the Punk that needs to show up on Raw and stay. A Punk that is thankful for the chance to prove himself once more. That Punk is the one professional wrestling will always need. Hopefully, that's the one we'll get this time.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about CM Punk's WWE comeback. On the one hand, I'm excited to see him back in the ring, especially after his disastrous run in AEW. Punk is a talented wrestler, and I think he still has a lot to offer the WWE. On the other hand, I'm worried that his return could spell disaster for the company. Punk has a history of being difficult to work with, and I'm not sure if he's really changed. I'm also concerned that his return could overshadow the younger talent in WWE. There are a lot of great wrestlers on the roster who deserve a chance to shine, and I don't want Punk to take away from that.

Overall, I think Punk's return is a gamble for WWE. It could pay off big time, or it could backfire spectacularly. Only time will tell which way it goes.