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With WWE making more money now than ever thanks to their recently signed television rights deals, and with the upcoming launch of AEW, who are certainly willing to spend big money, it's only a matter of time before CM Punk becomes a player in pro wrestling free agency.
Ever since leaving WWE in January of 2014, CM Punk has said time and time again that he's not interested in doing any pro wrestling, but history says that he'll be back in the squared circle at some point before he's physically unable to return to the ring.
Most are predicting that, if he does return to wrestling, it'll be with All Elite Wrestling. However, the bigger matches for him are in WWE. Also, due to the fact that he was willing to walk out, Vince McMahon will likely give him a lot more creative freedom if he agreed to return on a part-time schedule.
In short, if Vince McMahon offers CM Punk a Brock Lesnar type of contract, then it might be hard for the former WWE Champion to turn down.
And if he does return to the biggest pro wrestling/sports entertainment company in the world, there are at least four opponents for him to take on upon his return.
#4 Roman Reigns
Even though this match wouldn't be ideal for Roman Reigns, as he'd likely be heavily booed in a feud with CM Punk upon his WWE return, but you probably couldn't book a bigger match with more heat.
While speaking on Colt Cabana's podcast after his WWE exit back in 2014, CM Punk said that The Shield was his idea and that originally, he didn't want Roman Reigns in the group. As we've seen in recent weeks, WWE is big on doing reality-based stuff, so this is the type of feud that could certainly play off of some real life stuff.
Nevertheless, this would be an incredible feud that would probably feature some fantastic matches. On top of that, it would probably be the most heated feud WWE has had in several years.
#3 AJ Styles
While CM Punk and AJ Styles have gone one on one in the past, they never had the opportunity to do so in WWE, as Styles made his debut one year after CM Punk left the company, thus they never had the chance to work against each other in Vince McMahon's company.
Aside from possibly Seth Rollins and Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles is largely considered to be the most skilled in-ring performer in WWE, and during Punk's run in the company, he was widely considered to be the best in the world. So, this match would be an incredible match and an incredible feud both in the ring and on the mic.
In this program, both men could be effective as either a heel or a babyface, although if this is the first feud for Punk upon his return to WWE, the company probably should have "The Phenomenal One" be the heel.
#2 Shane McMahon
Since Vince McMahon is now north of 70 years old, and while he's still in great shape, it probably wouldn't be the best idea to put him in the ring for a match. So, why not have his son Shane fight his battle for him?
While Shane McMahon isn't on the level as the previous two entries, he could still have a fantastic match or series of matches with a returning CM Punk. They would have to use a lot of smoke and mirrors to hide Shane's weaknesses, but that would make sense for a feud like this.
Also, this could play off of the real stuff that WWE has been doing lately, so at the very least this would be an incredible rivalry on the microphone.
Naturally, Shane McMahon, who just recently turned heel, will be the heel in a potential program against CM Punk, which would make for a great match.
#1 Triple H
If WWE wants to do a reality-based feud if CM Punk comes back, then there's no more perfect opponent for the ex-WWE World Heavyweight Champion than Triple H, who Punk claims he had major heat with during his years in the company.
Of the possible opponents for CM Punk, Triple H would probably be the only one who can hang with him on the microphone. Of course, if the two did want to bring their real-life heat to their on-screen feud, then their exchanges on the microphone will be extremely heated, which would only bring more interest to the potential match or matches.
It's hard to imagine WWE putting CM Punk against anyone else if he does return to the company, as this would probably be the biggest possible match they could do with Punk, unless "Stone Cold" Steve Austin returns to the ring, which at this point seems highly unlikely.
