At Survivor Series in Chicago, CM Punk made his surprise WWE comeback nine years after leaving AEW, giving fans happy news.
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| CM Punk makes a surprise return to WWE after 9 years at Survivor Series |
Chicago fans were taken aback when, at Survivor Series, CM Punk made an amazing comeback to the WWE, his first appearance in more than nine years. After the men's WarGames main event, the program appeared to be coming to an end, but then "Cult of Personality" played and the audience went into raptures. With Punk standing among the thunderous applause from his hometown supporters, the show ended.
The appearance of punk was totally unexpected and was kept a secret until the very last moment. Punk made his trademark posture as the stunned audience roared, "It's Clobberin' Time!"
Reports revealed that Punk had a lengthy conversation with Paul Levesque (Triple H) a week before the show, and his return was a well-guarded secret, unknown to WWE staff and creative. Levesque took charge of the show's closing moments, making it an unexpected twist as the event ended, creating a buzz for Monday's "WWE Raw."
All Elite Wrestling (AEW), the major rival of the WWE, fired Punk in August for an undisclosed reason following a physical incident with wrestler Jack Perry backstage. Punk had spent two years in AEW, a time marked by numerous injuries and dramatic events behind the scenes, including multiple fights. Despite all of that, Punk was the promotion's top money-making draw and a two-time AEW world champion.
CM Punk has been one of the industry's biggest stars for the past two decades. While it's unclear what WWE has planned for Punk creatively, his comeback is massive news in the wrestling world and beyond.
During the press conference following the event, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque remarked, "This was one of those lightning-in-a-bottle moments that came together very quickly." He further added, "But we are incredibly excited about it. It's been a long time. In some ways, it's been a long time coming. You can say this about CM Punk. Love him, hate him, positive, negative, whatever you want to say: People talk about him all the time. He is a magnet for that. He's a conversation starter and it's tough to look past that."
Now, let's explore more about who CM Punk is and what defines him:
Who is CM Punk?
CM Punk, despite his finishing move being the Go to Sleep (GTS), is anything but boring. His refusal to adhere to standard sports entertainment norms created a unique connection with fans, particularly after his game-changing Pipebomb promo that challenged the wrestling industry's outdated practices.
Punk had a strained exit from WWE in 2014. He first left because of health problems, then on his wedding day, he learned that he had been fired. After promising to give up wrestling for seven years, he joined the UFC later that year and competed twice before making a comeback with AEW in 2021.
Punk's return to the AEW after a seven-year hiatus restored his enthusiasm for wrestling. Compared to his bad WWE days, this was a huge contrast. But who is the real guy behind the character, despite his accomplishments in wrestling? Let's explore CM Punk's lesser-known truths:
Before joining AEW, Punk almost made a return to Ring of Honor (ROH), a possibility revealed by former owner Cary Silkin. However, his move to AEW ultimately materialized, altering his trajectory.
Although Punk admired "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, his all-time favorite wrestler was Roddy Piper. His Dog Collar Match in AEW paid homage to Piper, reflecting Punk's deep reverence for the wrestling legend.
A backstage altercation with Teddy Hart during their TNA days is part of CM Punk's wrestling history, where a heated argument turned into a physical fight and was swiftly broken up. Moreover, Shawn Michaels reportedly played a crucial role in salvaging Punk's WWE career by advocating for him during a critical meeting about ECW stars, shifting the conversation from criticism to constructive feedback.
His familial relationships are strained as well. When they were teenagers, Punk and his brother created a backyard wrestling promotion, which led to their falling out. Punk never forgave his brother and ended their relationship forever, even though he returned the money he had stolen. Moreover, Punk's straight-edge lifestyle stemmed from his family's struggles with substance abuse, influencing his decision to abstain from smoking, drinking, and drugs.
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| Punk's iconic entrance theme is called "Cult of Personality" by Living Colour |
Punk's iconic entrance theme, "Cult of Personality" by Living Colour, holds personal significance. He chose it for different wrestling promotions, associating it with pivotal moments in his life and career.
Reflecting on his WWE tenure, Punk felt it fell short of its potential, particularly regretting not headlining WrestleMania. In 2010, Punk expressed interest in buying Ring of Honor, but the opportunity didn't materialize, leading to financial challenges and eventual ownership changes for ROH.
After leaving WWE, Punk explored acting and starred in Travis Stevens' horror film "Girl on the Third Floor," initially feeling nervous but gaining confidence in his acting abilities. And despite missing out on a role in a "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" film, Punk didn't hold any grudges, believing Sheamus was the right fit for the role.
A comic book enthusiast, Punk also co-wrote for Marvel and expressed a desire to return to the comic world in the future, extending his passion beyond wrestling.
Overall it seems like CM Punk missed his WWE journey as much as the fans did as he eventually decided to return to WWE. During his appearance at Survivor Series in Chicago, the celebrity stood and took in the screams of CM Punk echoing around the crowd, he smiled and his former demeanor also reappeared.
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