We’re just a few weeks away from WWE Survivor Series being hosted in Chicago and as it stands, it doesn’t look like CM Punk will be making his long-awaited return at the event. Haus of Wrestling has previously been able to indepedently verify that there are currently no plans for Punk at the Premium Live Event, though it was recently reported that he is physically ready to make a return at any time – an opportunity that WWE is said to feel they can pull the trigger on at any time.
However, there’s now said to be a factor that could accelerate the process. Writing in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reports that if there was significant fan support for Punk’s return, WWE’s current stance on the situation could change as the company doesn’t want fans chanting for him at events only for them to not deliver. In regards to any rumours that the former AEW World Champion is currently set to return to the promotion, however, Meltzer claims the company has denied them all.
He also noted that, unlike the situation before Cody Rhodes’ WWE return back at WrestleMania 38, WWE creative figures and others who would know in advance have heard nothing regarding Punk and that the decision to greenlight his return is ultimately down to Vince McMahon, Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque, and Nick Khan.
CM Punk hasn’t competed since defending his ‘Real’ AEW World Championship against Samoa Joe at AEW All In in London. A backstage altercation at the event led to Punk being terminated with cause from AEW less than a week later and rumors of a potential return to WWE almost a decade on from his 2014 departure have swirled every since.
Punk himself has even added fuel to that fire during his commentary appearances at Cage Fury Fighting Championship. This past weekend at CFFC 127, Punk, alongside commentary partner John Morgan and the promotion’s CEO Rob Haydak, made light of the rumors of a potential return to either WWE or the soon-to-be TNA and a pocket square featuring the WWE Championship could even be seen in Haydak’s suit jacket.