Royal Rumble 2014 was the show where most fans realised that they would never see CM Punk inside a WWE ring ever again. Punk walked out of the company after the show, and was subsequently fired on the morning of his wedding later that year.
Punk and the WWE have had a horrible relationship since, and a lot of events have transpired over the 5+ years that Punk was away from the company.
However, it all now has been put to rest. Punk returned to WWE Programming, joining as a pundit on WWE’s new show, WWE Backstage.
Punk’s time away from the WWE has been eventful. He went on to author comic books for Marvel, have a two-fight stint in the UFC and star in the horror film “Girl on the Third Floor.” Punk lost both his MMA fights decisively and also dabbled in MMA commentary.
Punk etched his name in the history books during his WWE career, including holding the WWE Championship for an astounding 434 days.
Punk had trashed the WWE in Colt Cabana’s ‘Art of Wrestling’ podcast which later led to WWE doctor Chris Amman filing a defamation lawsuit against Punk for statements about negligent medical care. The lawsuit was often believed to be motivated by the WWE against Punk, but Punk managed to win the case in court.
Punk’s new role in the WWE is not as straightforward as expected. Punk’s contract will list him as an employee of Fox, the broadcasters of WWE Backstage, and not the WWE.
Punk had been involved in rumours to jump to WWE’s main rival, All Elite Wrestling, but Punk claims that the new promotion never made a concrete contract offer to him. He also revealed that he had been approached to audition for WWE Backstage, but hadn’t heard anything after his audition was done.
The 41-year old Punk returned after an announcement by WWE Backstage host, Renee Young.
Whether or not this opens up the window for Punk to make an in-ring appearance in the company is unknown. However, both the WWE and Punk have uttered the words ‘never say never’ over the course of the last 5 years, so we can never know if Punk will be lacing up his boots again.
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