Reported Rumour Killer On CM Punk’s WWE Absence
A reported update has emerged on the rumours around CM Punk’s WWE absence.
As of writing, it’s been over seven weeks since CM Punk last graced our screens. The night after WrestleMania 42, the ‘Second City Saint’ reflected on losing his World Heavyweight Championship, but maintained that he was awaiting the next opportunity. Yet, over 50 days later, the 47-year-old hasn’t returned to RAW, leading to online rumours that the star is unhappy with WWE and wants out of his contract, including speculation that Punk could be frustrated regarding plans for AJ Lee.
According to an update from Fightful Select, nobody in WWE has heard that CM Punk is looking to leave the company, nor is it believed he’s been asked to take a pay cut by TKO.
“Nobody in WWE among the dozens we spoke to has heard that Punk wanted out of his contract, and non of the talent we heard from believed that he was asked to take a pay cut, and had not heard that either.”
-Fightful Select
On whether WWE’s treatment of AJ Lee has contributed to CM Punk’s absence, it’s clarified that plans for Lee’s comeback were outlined from the moment she returned, with the initial run now completed.
“AJ Lee is not imminently in WWE’s plans, but that could end up changing. To be clear, contrary to reports, she was never planned to be a full time performer for WWE. The rumors that Punk would have been mad over something about AJ were scoffed at internally, as the plans for Lee’s return and run were pretty well planned from the time she came back, and she completed that run.”
-Fightful Select
The report also corroborates a report from PWInsider that new merchandise is currently being produced ahead of CM Punk’s planned dates this summer. With False Finish also indicating that the star is set to return to TV ‘relatively soon’ as we edge closer to SummerSlam, Fightful mention that a source believes Punk has a storyline coming up soon.
Naturally, any suggestion of CM Punk being unhappy in WWE has been met with fans wondering whether there could be a future in which he returns to AEW. While that possibility seems a long way off, Fightful note sources in the company believe the bridge can be rebuilt even without the former AEW World Champion appearing there again.
The last time fans saw CM Punk on-screen, he came face to face with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. A match between them is something many fans have wanted going back to when the Chicagoan made his stunning comeback at Survivor Series 2023, and whether it’s on WWE’s radar following a CM Punk return remains to be seen.
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As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on CM Punk’s WWE status as soon as we hear more.
