CM Punk Was Reportedly Open For WWE Return Earlier This Year, Rumoured For Wrestlemania Match With Kevin Owens

New reports have given us some insight into CM Punk’s possible return to WWE at the 2023 Royal Rumble. There was even talk of a WrestleMania 39 match against Kevin Owens if this comeback were to happen.

CM Punk famously left WWE after the 2014 Royal Rumble match and received his termination notice on his wedding day, though Vince McMahon claimed it was purely coincidental. Comments made during an episode of the Art of Wrestling podcast led to a defamation lawsuit against CM Punk and his friend, podcast host Colt Cabana, by WWE physician Dr. Chris Amann. While CM Punk and Cabana won the lawsuit, a dispute over legal fees ultimately ended their long-standing friendship.

AEW terminated CM Punk’s contract on September 2 due to a backstage incident involving Jack Perry and Tony Khan. This was the second major incident involving CM Punk in less than a year, with his backstage brawl against the company’s EVPs making headlines the previous year.

According to a report from Fightful Select via TJR Wrestling, CM Punk expressed a desire to return to WWE in December and even considered participating in the Royal Rumble earlier this year. However, it’s important to note that these are just rumors, and there has been no confirmation from WWE regarding their interest.

The report also mentioned speculation about Kevin Owens possibly eliminating CM Punk at the Royal Rumble, which could have led to an Owens-Punk match at WrestleMania 39, potentially as the main event for Night 1.

Kevin Owens did end up headlining Night 1 of WrestleMania 39 with Sami Zayn, where they defeated The Usos to win the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships in a highly emotional match in Los Angeles.

So, who holds the power in WWE when it comes to CM Punk’s potential return?

Although CM Punk’s departure from WWE in 2014 was less than amicable, he reportedly attempted to reconcile when he was backstage at RAW in Chicago this past April, according to Fightful. With CM Punk likely free to sign with other promotions, a return to WWE is not out of the realm of possibility.

However, a comeback for CM Punk at this stage of his career may not be straightforward. He is said to still have significant friction with several top WWE Superstars. Seth Rollins referred to CM Punk as a “cancer” earlier this year due to his actions following All Out 2022. The current WWE World Heavyweight Champion also advised CM Punk to stay away from WWE. After his segment with Jey Uso at WWE Payback 2023, Grayson Waller brought up CM Punk’s release from AEW on Twitter.

Reports suggest that Vince McMahon is preoccupied with larger projects and may not personally engage with CM Punk. However, if Triple H expresses interest in working with him again, Nick Khan will decide whether the company should bring him back.

Despite all the controversies surrounding him in the past two years, CM Punk remains a popular figure in the wrestling world. With the wrestling scene thriving, there could be some high-profile feuds awaiting him if he were to return to WWE.

What are your thoughts on the idea of CM Punk making a WWE comeback after nine years? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments section.