CM Punk Reportedly In Line To Take Over WWE NXT After Shawn Michaels Fills Bruce Prichard’s Role
CM Punk is reportedly who WWE want to takeover NXT.
At the end of October, it first emerged from PWInsider that Bruce Prichard’s role would be changing following WrestleMania 43. Details first suggested the 63-year-old would be retiring from his role as the Executive Director of Creative Writing & Talent of WWE, though a subsequent Fightful Select report adding that Prichard would begin a six-month transition in which he’d largely work from remotely due to needing to recover from planned neck surgery. It was then suggested Shawn Michaels would take a more active role in the main roster, opening up a gap at the top of NXT, and it now seems the company know who’s next in line.
According to a new update from PWInsider, it’s believed CM Punk is currently WWE’s preferred choose to take over NXT once Shawn Michaels takes on Bruce Prichard’s role.
“CM Punk is the person WWE is currently looking at to take over NXT for Shawn Michaels after Michaels steps into Bruce Prichard’s role. Punk has been at the majority of NXT broadcasts in recent weeks alongside Michaels and is currently being prepped for that role.”
-PWInsider
Another name floated around for the role was “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles, though the report notes his role will be tailored more towards scouting and the WWE ID program.
“There had been rumors of AJ Styles taking over NXT, but it was said that while Styles has been more involved in producing there (in part of cover Terry Taylor as he recovered from a knee surgery), currently WWE is looking to use Styles to assist in scouting and the WWE ID program.”
-PWInsider
Michaels began working with NXT as a writer and producer in 2018, though, after Paul “Triple H” Levesque had to step away in September 2021, “The Heartbreak Kid” took responsibility for the running of the brand’s weekly shows. The 61-year-old headed up a distinct era of NXT as it moved away from its black and gold style, and has been working well in the role for over five years, although it’s fair to say CM Punk has been no stranger to the developmental brand since coming back to the company.
Less than a week after his stunning WWE return, Punk made an appearance at NXT Deadline, and that only set the tone for future events. In October 2024, he acted as the special guest referee when Trick Williams beat Ethan Page for the NXT Championship, with many fans taking note of his occasional on-screen involvement on Tuesday nights. Plus, alongside his presence at many of their shows, the star even took on Grayson Waller for the brand’s top title on November 4.
As such, Punk is likely to be well acquainted with the up-and coming-talent WWE has at its disposal, although whether his move to fill Shawn Michaels role in NXT materialises remains to be seen.
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As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on CM Punk potentially being lined up for Shawn Michaels NXT role as soon as we hear more.
