CM Punk Believed He Was Retired From Wrestling Following AEW Firing

CM Punk Believed He Was Retired From Wrestling Following AEW Firing

As a die-hard wrestling fan, I can’t help but feel a mix of emotions watching CM Punk’s journey unfold. His return to WWE after such a long absence feels like a dream come true, reminiscent of Hulk Hogan’s comeback in the late ’80s or Stone Cold Steve Austin’s in the ’90s.


In professional wrestling, CM Punk has found a new opportunity following a significant hiatus. Known as The Second City Saint, he re-entered the WWE scene in November 2023, marking the end of almost a decade away from the world’s top sports-entertainment company. His departure from WWE in January 2014 was marked by creative disagreements and physical challenges that eventually pushed him to his limit. The relationship between Punk and WWE appeared irreparably damaged, especially after he joined AEW in 2021 and occasionally criticized them during televised speeches. However, he is now back with the WWE.

During June 2022, the early blissful period of Punk’s tenure with All Elite Wrestling came to a dramatic end. A mere three days into his AEW World Title reign, he suffered a broken foot. When he reappeared on AEW programming two months later, there was a palpable sense of unresolved tension backstage. The disagreements between Punk and the AEW Executive Vice Presidents, Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks, escalated to the point where they even engaged in physical confrontations. Remarkably, all parties continued their employment with AEW, and Punk returned to TV screens in June 2023. However, just two months later, another backstage altercation occurred, this time so severe that it led to Punk’s termination from the company.

CM Punk Thought He Was Retired After AEW Firing

CM Punk Believed He Was Retired From Wrestling Following AEW Firing

At the time, CM Punk did not see a future for him inside a wrestling ring.

In a conversation with No Contest Wrestling, Punk expressed that when he left AEW, he believed it was the end for him. This conversation took place around August or September. However, WWE President Nick Khan contacted me in November and asked when I would be available. My response was, “Nick, I was fired, quite publicly.

According to the tale, Khan extended an invitation to Punk, hoping to reintegrate him into the WWE Royal Rumble, possibly as a secret participant in the main event battle royal. Khan assumed that Punk was bound by the standard 90-day non-compete clause, which is usually included in WWE contracts if talent are released before their deals end. However, Punk clarified that he was free to work anytime, since his termination from AEW did not come with any post-termination restrictions.

According to Punk, he said something like, “Let’s chat next week over the phone,” and then things began moving quickly. When someone mentioned Survivor Series in Chicago, he replied, “I don’t think we can seal a deal that swiftly, but I see what you mean.

The dialogue between Punk and WWE started during the week preceding the 2023 WWE Survivor Series, a significant premium live event for WWE, which was scheduled to take place in the very city where he hails from – Chicago.

How much are they all looking forward to it? I’m just as excited as they are,” Punk said, continuing the conversation. “When we first began discussing it, it was like any other rumble. ‘You’re here for the rumble.’ But being creative by nature, I responded, ‘I understand, but that’s what you do with everyone. Everyone gets that.’ It was a fortunate circumstance since Survivor Series is in Chicago and happens to be just three days away, one of which is Thanksgiving.

As a dedicated fan, I’ve been thrilled to see Punk consistently featured on WWE programming over the years. Although a torn triceps in January kept him out for most of 2024’s first half, he didn’t let that stop him from making regular appearances on Monday Night Raw during his recovery process. He made his grand return at SummerSlam and engaged in a three-show rivalry with Drew McIntyre, triumphing against the Scottish Warrior in their final showdown inside Hell in a Cell at Bad Blood. Currently, he’s taking some well-deserved time off to heal, but I’m eagerly anticipating his return to the storylines soon.

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2024-10-08 20:11