Chicago, IL – In a stunning turn of events, CM Punk marked his return to WWE after a nine-year hiatus, making a sensational appearance at the conclusion of Survivor Series on Saturday night. The 45-year-old superstar’s unexpected comeback, in his hometown of Chicago, sent waves of excitement across social media, following weeks of speculation and rumors about his potential return.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful revealed that Punk’s return was kept under wraps, with most WWE staff, including the creative team, being unaware of the development. According to Ross Sapp, “CM Punk walked through the back just minutes before he appeared on screen at the end of Survivor Series. He had a one-hour conversation with Triple H last week, and the area was cleared out for his appearance. Even many in production were kept in the dark.”
The surprise element of Punk’s return was orchestrated with precision, with Triple H, the WWE executive, playing a pivotal role. “Triple H took over calling the show in the last couple of minutes and called for the copyright logo, ensuring the surprise was well-guarded,” added Ross Sapp.
Punk’s return is a significant turn of events, especially considering a report in October hinting that WWE had rejected Punk’s attempts to rejoin the company after his departure from AEW in September. Addressing the media during the Survivor Series 2023 post-show press conference, Triple H remarked on Punk’s return, “Everybody grows and changes. This is a different company now, and what’s next for CM Punk will certainly be interesting.”
On the reason behind bringing Punk back to WWE, Triple H was candid: “CM Punk is a conversation starter, a magnet for attention. If our fans want it, and the WWE universe is excited to have it, then let’s go.”
The deal for Punk’s return, as per Triple H, came together swiftly and was a tightly kept secret, with actual discussions only materializing when speculation had almost died down.
The return of CM Punk, coupled with Randy Orton’s comeback after a 17-month hiatus, injects fresh energy into WWE. With the Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania XL approaching in early 2024, these returns open up numerous possibilities for storylines and feuds.
Punk’s return is not just significant for WWE but also sends a strong message to its rival, AEW, especially after AEW’s recent debut of WWE veteran Adam Copeland and the appearance of international superstar Will Ospreay.
While Triple H did not divulge specific plans for Punk, the buzz and excitement among WWE fans are palpable, indicating a revitalized interest in the company’s future direction.