-- Since he was given his release from AEW last month, there have been rampant rumors that CM Punk is headed to WWE perhaps as early as Survivor Series in Chicago and that talks between the two sides are happening (as reported by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. However, it seems that report may not be entirely true as a separate fightfulselect.com report paints a completely different picture:
- High-level sources within WWE have noted that the reports of Punk signing with the company are "completely false" and that they have not engaged in any conversations with Punk about a return. There were several officials who wanted to make it clear for fans who are expecting Punk to show up at Survivor Series.
- Punk's side has reportedly sent "feelers" to WWE to gauge potential interest that they may have in him and he is apparently waiting to see if WWE will approach him first and most believe that if WWE extended an offer, he would definitely come back.
- Multiple talent has directly asked WWE management if Punk is coming back to WWE and were told that as of now, there were no plans to bring him back.
- In regards to the several teases that came up on WWE broadcasting over the last week, one official believed that they were not cleared beforehand and is likely a situation where the wrestlers were simply saying those lines themselves. Some even believed that those statements linked to Punk might have been said to get "under CM Punk's skin."
- There remains a ton of heat on Punk within WWE, mainly originating from his last run in the promotion almost a decade ago. Sources who are familiar with the situation believe that many talent would be consulted in the scenario that WWE would be looking to bring back Punk in order to minimize any negative drama and to prevent a similar story playing out that happened in AEW. It is believed that Punk would need to make amends with multiple top talent in order to make a return remotely possible.
- When Punk showed up backstage at WWE Raw earlier this year, some believe that he was looking to get his job back while others felt that he was there to create allies as the cracks in his relationship with AEW began forming.
- Another potential hurdle in any Punk-WWE relationship is contract terms. Punk worked full-time for AEW and received a significant salary that exceeded that of many top WWE wrestlers. With his leverage all but gone, it is unlikely that WWE will be looking to give him anywhere near what he made with AEW.
