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The Man, The Myth, The Legend. How else would anyone who is a wrestling fan describe CM Punk? It's interesting that he is a bigger star now than he ever was and his absence from the world of professional wrestling has resulted in a form of nostalgia that many didn't think could ever happen. While fans chant his name at WWE events, CM Punk has become the "holy grail" for wrestling fans, who wish for his return to the ring.
For months, it was speculated that CM Punk would show up at AEW. The Elite was constantly asked questions and there were even reports that CM Punk was offered an AEW contract. He declined the offer, saying that he didn't want to do business via text message.
But is this for real? According to a recent report, CM Punk auditioned for WWE Backstage, which will air on FS1 in November. The show will most likely be hosted by Renee Young and possibly Booker T. The audition was probably for a potential co-analyst/host role, but details remain fuzzy. The show will technically be run by FOX and not WWE, but the connection is obvious.
So, here are 5 reasons why CM Punk could return to WWE.
#5 CM Punk is open to a dialogue with Vince McMahon and Triple H
During his sit down interview at Starrcast 3, CM Punk made a revelation when asked whether he was open to a dialogue with Vince McMahon and Triple H.
CM Punk responded by saying,
"I wouldn't NOT talk to them. I'll have a conversation with anybody, but I'm not reaching out to anybody. I'll listen to anybody."
Of course, this can be interpreted as Punk wanting the powers that be at WWE to call him and not the other way around. Perhaps, what is even more stunning is that he would be willing to go back to WWE, if they made an effort to bring him back.
#4 CM Punk wants to take advantage of the current pro wrestling boom
Once October hits, there will be wrestling in prime time from Monday to Friday. Monday Night RAW will be in full swing on the USA Network. Tuesdays will feature Impact Wrestling on AXS TV. Wednesday nights are sure to be action packed with NXT and AEW going head to head on the USA Network and TNT. SmackDown Live will be premiering this Friday on FOX.
A year ago, no one thought this would be possible, but it's quite an amazing time to be a wrestling fan. There is something in it for everyone and the fact that all major wrestling companies will be utilizing streaming platforms to further their influence, simply adds to the amazement.
This should give CM Punk pause to realize that he could use all of this to his advantage. He's already a legend in the business and his name has achieved cult status. If anything, wrestling is more mainstream than it was when he was on top. CM Punk is a smart businessman and knows what kind of impact he could have, if he ever came back.
Simply put, it's best to strike while the iron is hot.
#3 CM Punk could get a big payday to return to WWE
WWE is quite aware of the kind of power that CM Punk has over the WWE Universe. They still chant his name during matches that have nothing to do with him. It would make sense that CM Punk is also aware of this. As discussed earlier, there is a lot of wrestling on television and that's not even counting ROH and NJPW.
WWE would want to get ahead of the competition and having CM Punk return to the ring would certainly get people to tune in, whether that would be on WWE Monday Night RAW or WWE SmackDown. Ratings do matter and CM Punk could be introduced as a special attraction similar to Brock Lesnar, The Undertaker, or Bill Goldberg.
WWE has the kind of money and have been more than willing to pop open the checkbook. CM Punk would mean huge buy rates and ratings. Punk could even achieve his dream to main event WrestleMania and there's nothing stopping him from putting that clause in the contract.
While it is still an assumption that both sides would actually meet to talk about a comeback, it's CM Punk that holds all the cards.
#2 AEW may no longer be interested in working with CM Punk
According to a recent report, Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, alleged that AEW would never work with CM Punk. This is reportedly in response to comments Punk made during an interview with ESPN. During the interview, he claimed with regards to an offer from AEW,
"The last thing I got -- I got a text from Cody [Rhodes]. And again, I almost don't even know how to reply to them sometimes, because if I reply, they do interviews and are like, "Oh yeah, I just talked to Punk." I'm kind of damned if I do, damned if I don't. I always think if somebody wants to do business with me, they can come talk to me. Texting offers isn't really a way to do good business, at least."
Cody Rhodes disputed these claims during an interview on Collider Live, saying that he made them look like, "Dumba**es."
In his report, Dave Meltzer commented further on why AEW is not interested in working with CM Punk.
"Even though AEW has told me that they would never work with him, and I believe that they believe that on this day... they told me that after the Marc Raimondi article. They were very - I said like. I mean my thought was you never say never, but, no no... it would be difficult. But, yeah yeah, it was pretty much told to me that they would never - they felt very disrespected by what he said, and they should have if you know what the real story was and I can’t go into too much detail, but I do know it, and, you know, it’s Punk.”
Adding more fuel to the fire, Cody Rhodes took to Twitter to let fans know that he wouldn't be surprised if CM Punk ended up returning to WWE:
The evidence seems to suggest that AEW might not be interested in signing CM Punk anytime soon. While Cody Rhodes has said "the door is open" in the future, it doesn't look like the company wants to work with him right now.
#1 Vince McMahon has a history of making amends with past foes
Bret Hart. Bruno Sammartino. The Ultimate Warrior. The list goes on. Most of these individuals vowed to never return to WWE and they did. The Bret Hart situation was probably the worst of all and very similar to CM Punk's troubles with the company. Nevertheless, Vince McMahon has proven in the past that he's more than willing to do business, if his company was going to gain as a result.
At the same time, CM Punk has said in interviews that he's not that guy who disliked WWE anymore.
He said,
"I'm not the dude that left WWE. I'm not that guy. That was five-years-ago Phil. I'm a different dude now. People still have that connotation, like, "Oh, he hates WWE." And it's just like, no, I've let all that go, and I've let all that go so long ago."
From those words, it sounds like CM Punk has done some soul searching and has let go of his past "anger." Things have also changed within WWE. If CM Punk has truly moved on and is willing to sit down opposite Vince McMahon and Triple H, it would only benefit the WWE Universe.
Only time will tell if these things come to pass.
