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Listen, CM Punk has himself been quite outspoken about potentially returning to the ring if the amount is right. The rumors have intensified thanks to a report that has emerged from Fightful Select (kudos to Sean Ross Sapp for his exceptional work).
All the signs point to him choosing AEW over WWE at this point and it makes a whole lot of sense. We shall explain why in this article.
As always, feel free to weigh in when it comes to CM Punk's comeback in the comments section below. Do you think that he should come back to WWE or is AEW a far better destination for The Best in the World?
#5 CM Punk may still have bad blood with WWE at this point
CM Punk was fired on his wedding day. These are not wounds that heal easily and there may still be bad blood. Do you remember how he made it a point, back when he was a backstage analyst for FOX to state that he wasn't directly affiliated with WWE?
Yes, this real-life animosity lends itself to great storylines and feuds, but is it a conducive environment to do business? CM Punk may feel that it makes far more sense to make a fresh start with Tony Khan and the whole host of EVPs at AEW. Especially if you consider that they have a brand new television program coming up.
There have been many instances of bridges being mended in the past when it comes to Vince McMahon. Be it The Ultimate Warrior or Bruno Sammartino, everyone has put aside the hurts of the past in the interest of doing business with one another. Whether CM Punk can move past the animosity that very likely does exist remains to be seen.
#4 CM Punk has already named AEW opponents he wishes to face
CM Punk was asked by a fan on Twitter about AEW opponents that he wishes to take on if he does return to the ring again someday. Phil Brooks gave the rub to Will Hobbs, Darby Allin, Brian Pillman Jr., Ricky Starks, and Jungle Boy.
If you tease something on the internet, the internet blows up! CM Punk could certainly show up at AEW and have all of these matches (and more!). The possibilities are limitless.
#3 Far more creative control
One has to believe that if CM Punk does come back to pro wrestling in any kind of capacity, he will exercise a certain amount of creative control.
That said, there's one man who rules WWE with an iron fist. It may be easier to do business in an environment like All Elite Wrestling, which is run by someone who's likely to give Punk far more creative freedom.
As we've heard from creative guys like Malakai Black, they like to prosper in an environment where the shackles are off.
#2 CM Punk's disdain for the current WWE product
Remember when CM Punk was a part of WWE Backstage for FOX? It was not unusual to see him regularly criticize and critique the current product. Punk may feel a disconnect with what he sees in WWE, and hence AEW is a far better destination.
Here's what he told Sports Illustrated about a potential return to WWE:
"You’ve got WWE, who have multiple billion-dollar television deals, and the television’s awful. I go back there, I’m just another guy. And it’s not even that—I’d be just another guy that’s doing not-good television."
Yeah, WWE doesn't seem too likely in CM Punk's case from the looks of it.
#1 The spirit of independent wrestling is far more prominent in All Elite Wrestling
CM Punk changed the WWE landscape. No, he didn't look like the prototypical top star when he first showed up to the company. He had a very unique look and attitude, but it was different from everything we'd seen thus far. And yet he rose to the very top.
WWE may have changed over the years, but AEW embodies the independent spirit in a far better way. CM Punk, who hails from the indie wrestling world, may feel more at home there.
