Report: FOX "Very Upset" WWE Didn't Try And Sign CM Punk

WWE's TV partner, FOX, were reportedly "very upset" that Vince McMahon's company didn't try and re-sign CM Punk. 

Punk returned to professional wrestling in AEW last week after seven years away from the ring and he is going to be full-time in the promotion going forward, with his first match set for All Out on September 5. 

Punk's return has led to unintended consequences for his former employers, WWE, as Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that FOX were "very upset" WWE didn't make The Second City Saviour "a big offer" to stop him from signing with AEW.

Punk and FOX have a good relationship from their time working together on WWE Backstage and FOX's relationship with WWE is already up and down because SmackDown is used to promote NBCUniversal's streaming service, Peacock. 

Partly because of Punk's return, WWE decided they needed to bring Brock Lesnar back as soon as possible and book him on SmackDown going forward. 

While he previously worked on WWE Backstage, Punk wasn't expected to reunite with WWE as Vince McMahon labelled him in 2020 as the one man he can't do business with. WWE also reportedly believed Punk's stock had dipped because of his time in UFC and higher-ups within the promotion have unhappy memories from working with The Straight Edge Superstar.