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Every time a new angle seems to pop up on WWE television, the grapevine seems to indicate that former WWE Superstar, CM Punk has something to do with it. Such has been the case with the whole Retribution angle as well, and many have suggested online that CM Punk could be the leader of Retribution.
While this is merely a fantasy booking article, one has to wonder whether it's really such a bad idea at its very core. Upon some introspection, one may even conclude that Retribution could be the perfect vehicle if CM Punk ever decides to return to WWE.
Bear in mind that the author of this article has no inside news whatsoever and is merely a fan of the WWE product and one of its all-time greats - CM Punk.
#5 CM Punk has more than one reason to seek 'retribution' against WWE
CM Punk was fired from WWE on his wedding day, and one doesn't need to script a storyline for his 'retribution' angle because sometimes, you just have a readymade storyline waiting. He has a cause to see retribution against Vince McMahon, against Triple H, against Stephanie McMahon and against WWE management, and what is the best way to exact revenge? Well, you form an outlaw group and interrupt regularly scheduled WWE programming.
By no means is this a conclusive point determining whether CM Punk is indeed returning to WWE as a member of Retribution, but bear in mind that he has wrestled under a mask before. In fact, he even made an independent wrestling appearance under a mask, which may have sown the seeds for this angle. If there's anyone who wants Retribution for the way he/she has been treated by WWE brass, it's CM Punk.
#4 It makes perfect sense for CM Punk to lead the next bunch of WWE NXT talents as the leader of Retribution
If you consider the history between The Shield and CM Punk, it would make a whole lot of sense for CM Punk to lead a bunch of WWE NXT talents to launch an ambush on the 'main roster' so to speak. And each member of Retribution could get the CM Punk rub in front of a mainstream audience who may not necessarily know who they are, because the audience that watches WWE NXT is significantly smaller than the SmackDown/RAW audience.
The Shield got the CM Punk rub so many years ago, and look at where each member is today. If an invasion was to happen, then it should happen from a man with a legitimate grouse against the system, who had voiced his frustrations in a landmark WWE promo all those years ago, which is still remembered fondly. Retribution will need a strong mouthpiece once they are unmasked, and is there a better promo in pro wrestling than CM Punk is, ladies, and gentlemen?
#3 Drew McIntyre is running out of opponents to face as WWE Champion, and the Retribution version of CM Punk could be the perfect WrestleMania opponent
Drew McIntyre has been booked very strongly as WWE Champion, and some may even argue that he has been booked too strongly. He has run out of opponents, running through the RAW roster to such an extent, that the only realistic opponent for WrestleMania for the man (if he carries the title that long) is the Retribution version of CM Punk. If CM Punk was to be unmasked as the leader of Retribution, following an attack on the WWE Champion, imagine how many lapsed fans would return to watch the product.
With all due respect to Tyson Fury, a WrestleMania match between him and Drew McIntyre, where the former will have to be carried is a lot less exciting than a possible showdown between Drew McIntyre and CM Punk, with Retribution at ringside. The WWE Championship doesn't even have to be on the line in this clash, as CM Punk returns to WWE as the anti-hero it needs.
#2 We know that Retribution has a female member as well, and so AJ Lee could return to WWE alongside her husband - CM Punk
It is very obvious that at least one member of Retribution is female. If CM Punk does indeed return as a member of Retribution, it could be a fantastic way to bring back another fan-favorite to WWE as well, his wife, AJ Lee. Many consider her to be one of the architects of the WWE Women's Evolution, and a return to WWE with CM Punk as a member of Retribution opens up a whole world of possibilities.
The WWE women's division is as stacked as it has ever been, so when the Retribution angle is done and dusted, AJ Lee could step away from what CM Punk is doing and engage in feuds of her own against the likes of Bayley, Sasha Banks, and Asuka, among others.
While CM Punk stepped into the limelight again as a UFC fighter, AJ Lee has maintained a lower profile since she left, and fans have really missed her.
#1 Like it or not, Retribution is one of the hottest angles in WWE at the moment, and if CM Punk arrives, he'll return right in the thick of things
Even though many have been critical of how WWE has used Retribution thus far, one cannot dispute the fact that they're one of the most intriguing things about the company at the moment. And the return of CM Punk to WWE, which would be absolutely phenomenal in its own right if it was to happen, would become even more special if he were unmasked and revealed to be the leader of Retribution.
Just check out the number of views that the video of Retribution beating down on former WWE Universal Champion Braun Strowman has.
As this article is being written, the video on WWE's official YouTube channel has 6.5 million views in just a week, while implies how hot this angle is, despite all the fan uproar. CM Punk could fit right in.
Do check out Eric Bischoff's thoughts on the Retribution in the video linked at the top of the page.
