Now that CM Punk is gone from AEW, reports are circulating that Punk actually considered departing the company back in late 2022, prior to his return to AEW programming earlier this year to lead the AEW Collision show.
Punk had an infamous falling out with WWE, that was extensively covered by pro wrestling journalists back in 2014, and again finds himself at the center of the news world after AEW head Tony Khan announced that he had terminated Punk’s contract with AEW falling his confrontation with Jack Perry backstage during the ‘All In’ PPV event from Wembley Stadium in late August.
Punk, easily the biggest draw in AEW, has not spoken publicly since the news was announced, but now a report is surfacing that suggests Punk actually eyed a potential return to WWE and had a specific opponent in mind.
According to Fightful Select, Punk reportedly wanted to appear during the 2023 Royal Rumble event in January, clearly open to the idea of leaving AEW, and that one rumored ides was that Punk would return at the Royal Rumble, and work a match at WrestleMania against the person who eliminated him, believed to be Kevin Owens.
Punk didn’t make that return, and Owens would go on to headline Night One of WrestleMania, teaming with Sammy Zayn to take on The Usos to ultimately capture the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships.
Punk is now the biggest free agent on the market, and while his days in AEW are over for good a return to WWE may be in the cards.
