'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
I mean the possibility had been thrown about and discussed quite a few times. There was a lot of speculation about whether CM Punk would come on board as a member of the WWE Backstage panel or not.
And then, when people least expected him to, CM Punk made his way to the stage and declared that he'd be a part of next week's show. What could have prompted a man who left on such bad terms with WWE to return to the company, you ask?
I will try and answer the question across 5 points and I invite you to do the same in the comments section down below. Feel free to chime in and let me know what you think about this big return from Punk.
And lest I forget, vote for your favorite matches from RAW, in this very section.
#5 He was always only a phone call away!
Tom Colohue of Sportskeeda recently reported that CM Punk was only a phone call away. This was how a section of his article read:
Sources tell me that “Vince sees the potential to make money” from CM Punk and “(Vince) has no problem with Punk. He’d love to have him back.”
The article goes on to state that both CM Punk and Vince McMahon are proud men and something had to give for a return to happen, and now it has! I am not privy to the conversations that go on behind closed doors but rumors about CM Punk coming to FS1 had been doing the rounds for a while.
At a time when a lot of excitement does not exist in the WWE product, CM Punk can certainly infuse some semblance of popularity back to it. He can even bring back the lapsed fans to watch the product again.
#4 He will still wrestle for a big bag of money
Not long ago, CM Punk did a Reddit AMA where he was asked a great variety of questions. He stated during the course of the interaction with fans that he would return if there was a 'big bag of money' on the table. We know that WWE does have the money considering that they have made some very lucrative deals in recent times.
If CM Punk does choose to return to WWE again, he will have a readymade storyline with Triple H waiting for him. This is a match that can even potentially close out WrestleMania. It would be the greatest storyline of the current era, especially because it's rooted in real life, and fans have wanted to see it for such a long time now.
Do you think that CM Punk could potentially make his return to the ring soon?
#3 He will be employed by FOX, not directly by WWE
A lot of people assumed that CM Punk would become a part of the AEW roster when the promotion first surfaced. They were extremely disappointed when they realized that CM Punk had no interest with regard to an in-ring return.
During an appearance on the Collider Live podcast, Punk expressed his interest in WWE Backstage, after giving us the following disclaimer:
My agents just called me and FOX is throwing everything at this because they spent a lot of money on this and they're all in to make it work. Originally I thought it was a WWE thing, so I was just like, 'meh, no.' But then they said, 'this is FOX.'"
Punk has also gone on record to say just how fond he is of Renee Young. He's a fan of her as a person, as a lot of people in WWE seem to be.
It's not surprising then to see him back, as a FOX employee. Not a WWE employee, mind you.
#2 Poor ratings for the inaugural Backstage show
WWE Backstage is a very promising show in concept, and the first episode wasn't too shabby either. Unfortunately, it did not translate to numbers as it failed to crack the Top 150 cable shows of the night statistic, upon its debut. These numbers may be compelled WWE to bring back CM Punk into the mix.
Even if he never returns to the ring again, CM Punk is probably the best-known star from WWE's current era. The very fact that the news has gone viral after a mere appearance is indicative of this. CM Punk told us that he will be a part of WWE Backstage next week, and now we are certain to tune in to hear what he has to say!
'What's next for CM Punk' is a huge hook! I'm sure the viewership numbers will grow by leaps and bounds very soon.
#1 A little bridge to an eventual in-ring return
I had a chance to interact with the developers of the WWE 2K games recently, who told me how a lot of Superstars needed a reminder of how beloved and popular they are before they step into a WWE ring. It happened with Sting and Goldberg with regard to the 2K Games.
Now, CM Punk may have just come on board as an analyst but fans will certainly get on his case about an in-ring return. Even though he has expressly denied wanting to wrestle again, the unmistakable call of the spotlight may be too hard to resist!
Maybe he never steps into a WWE ring again. But the possibility of a return to the ring is greater now than at any other point in the past few years.
Can you believe what just happened, ladies and gentlemen?
Be sure to leave a comment and rate your favorite RAW matches right here. Thanks for your time.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
