It may still happen, but apparently CM Punk had bold WWE return planned.
Before he was fired. Heck, before the All Out Brawl dust had even settled.
In fact…before he ever stunningly visited RAW in Chicago earlier in 2023.
What comes next will have you wondering just how fractured things were back late in 2022 and early in 2023 that this plan was even discussed.
Now, however, we know just how fractured things have become, since Punk no longer calls AEW home.
So, let’s dive in to this latest news.
CM Punk Had Bold WWE Return Planned
According to Fightful, once he was suspended and recovering from an injury suffered at All Out a year ago, CM Punk allowed his mind to wander.
And by wander…we mean, he began to think of just how his life might be different if he were calling WWE home.
These thoughts went beyond just thinking about a new home.
Per those close to him, Punk had a plan that would have had him make a surprise return to WWE during the 2023 Royal Rumble.
As much as we think he has an ego, his plan included him getting eliminated, leading to a WrestleMania match against the Superstar who he wanted to eliminate him.
That lucky Superstar? Apparently, Punk had a desire (and may still have it) to work with Kevin Owens.
As we know now, WrestleMania worked out pretty well for Kevin Owens, so I doubt a KO-CM Punk match would have been an upgrade.
Still, if the report is accurate, this only fuels speculation.
It takes two to tango, and many expected that Punk lacked interest in WWE.
Maybe it was just how dysfunctional AEW’s political scene was compared to WWE that changed his mind, but as of late last year, clearly Punk was open to a WWE return.
Now…is WWE interested?
