Another week, more CM Punk news.
WWE Fastlane came and went without Triple H being asked about CM Punk at the post-show presser, but we're told that as far as people have heard from him, CM Punk is not planned for a WWE return. In fact, we're told Triple H would have addressed that himself if asked about it at Fastlane.
Fightful spoke with those high up in WWE that any reports of CM Punk signing with WWE are completely false, and additionally as of October 10, the claim internally is that WWE is not in conversations with CM Punk about a comeback. There were several in the company that wanted to make that clear for fans expecting to see him at Survivor Series this year.
As with anything in wrestling, things change, but WWE sources are adamant that as of now, the two sides are not in talks. Fightful reported that Punk had feelers talking to people within WWE about how it should be approached. One source close to Punk told Fightful they believe that to be accurate, and from what they've heard Punk was waiting to see if they'd approach him. When reaching out to Punk in the last week, Fightful had not heard back.
Several talent outright asked those in power about the possibility and rumors of Punk to WWE this week, and were told that as things stands, he wasn't coming back to the company at this time.
For those asking, we did press sources on the numerous teases, or things that could be perceived as CM Punk teases. The higher up and a top WWE talent said that they're sure that most of them are not cleared beforehand, and might be wrestlers doing it themselves, with the WWE talent saying they might even be doing it to get under CM Punk's skin. You're free as a reader to not believe that.
To reiterate, these are claims within WWE, include by higher ups as far up the chain as things go. Plans change, negotiations happen, etc.
Please refer to the tweet below
Correct.
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) October 14, 2023
WWE feels if they want CM Punk, they can have him.
However, WWE higher ups have told myself and talent that they don't and aren't in talks.
It's wrestling. Anything could happen.
But people like to play pretend and choose their own adventure on objective reports https://t.co/Z7iDIm973p
For those implying it was WWE higher ups trying to "WORK THE DIRT SHEETS," that isn't really a thing that happens. For others claiming this was "also what happened with Cody Rhodes" -- no it wasn't. Cody Rhodes was always expected to go to WWE, even before his actual AEW departure. Fightful never reported that a deal wasn't going to happen, only that a contract hadn't been signed until the weeks leading up to WrestleMania 38, which was confirmed in the Cody Rhodes Peacock documentary.
CM Punk was in Orlando last week, but not at the WWE Performance Center.
PWInsider reported that readers let them know they spotted CM Punk in Orlando at Universal Studios. This was confirmed with Fightful. It was also confirmed that he has not been at the WWE Performance Center.
Punk had a Cage Fury Fighting Championship show that he's set to do commentary on October 13 in Tampa.
Ace Steel was also seen with him. Steel now lives in Florida and at one point before his firing was in talks to open a training facility with AEW there.
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