Everything You Need To Know About CM Punk's WWE Return

CM Punk is back with WWE.

In a shocking moment to close out the Survivor Series pay-per-view, 'Cult of Personality' suddenly filled Chicago's Allstate Arena and CM Punk made his return to WWE. The 45-year-old announced "It's Clobberin' Time" before he celebrated with the fans in attendance as the show went off the air. 

PWInsider Elite has since reported the deal between CM Punk and WWE is believed to be "several years in length" and the two parties had their first communications over the past week. After the ice was broken, the deal "came together rather quickly" and the two parties came to terms earlier today. Punk's side claimed to Fightful Select that no contract had been signed as of Saturday morning. 

Fightful Select further reported that Punk's return at the end of Survivor Series was a "closely guarded and quickly put together secret". Talks between CM Punk and Triple H took place on November 19 in a productive hour-long conversation which mended fences.

The decision was ultimately a Nick Khan call and Vince McMahon had nothing to do with Punk's return, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio. Triple H was also heavily involved. 

Meltzer explained why WWE decided to re-sign Punk, saying: “From what I understood it was one of those things where it was a no except if they felt the public demand was there. I actually wrote that in this week’s issue in the sense that if they believed the demand was there they’re not gonna be an organisation that fights the fans. That’s pretty much it. Would Vince have done it in the same situation? Perhaps yes, perhaps no.”

WWE considered holding back Punk's return until the Royal Rumble on January 27, 2024, PWInsider added, but the feeling was it was more likely to leak that he would be returning if they waited until next year. This led to Punk's return being rushed as he could drive to the Allstate Arena from his Chicago home within 20 minutes and slip in at the last second. Fightful stated that a section of the backstage area was cleared in the minutes before Punk's return but the 45-year-old was in plain sight. Triple H then took over producing Survivor Series and personally called for Punk's music to fill the arena. 

Nothing around Punk's return was locked in until late on November 25, which explains reports of nothing having changed around Punk's status that emerged only hours before Survivor Series. Producers, referees, staff, talent, and head writers were not told about Punk's return but Triple H, Bruce Prichard, and Michael Hayes had a meeting to discuss a change to the main event but it is unknown if that was directly related to Punk's return. 

The likes of Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre were visibly upset in the ring during the final moments of Survivor Series. Drew McIntyre stormed out of Allstate Arena following the show and his anger was said to be related to Punk's return. There have been claims to Fightful that Rollins' reaction where he shouted expletives at Punk and gave him the middle finger while being held back was genuine but that would be claimed for obvious reasons. Rollins then went looking for CM Punk after the show and had to be ushered away by Triple H. Dave Meltzer has reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that Rollins' anger in the moments after Survivor Series off the air was an angle. 

Talents in the main event were informed ahead of the match about plans for Punk's return. The former WWE Champion coming back has meant "there are numerous talent on the roster in general upset". Others, meanwhile, are excited, curious, and experiencing about every emotion under the sun. At least a couple of people were happy and some old friends greeted Punk upon him returning backstage. 

Some perceived references from Shinsuke Nakamura and on commentary appeared to be hints at a deal between CM Punk and WWE but it was reiterated to Fightful those references were not made with the knowledge that a deal was in place. One source close to Punk told Fightful: "Whether it be Nakamura, USA Network twitter account, or anyone that said he was coming back prior to last week, none of them knew because Punk didn't know."

The nature of Punk's return may have a long-term impact on relations between Triple H and the roster, with one top WWE talent telling Fightful "they understood the surprise aspect of the situation, but felt like Triple H could lose some trust among many people that he worked to build it with."

Punk's return within WWE is being seen as a "new beginning."

CM Punk had been a free agent since his firing with cause by All Elite Wrestling in September 2023. Punk previously competed for WWE from 2005 until he was fired in 2014, months after he walked out on the Raw after the Royal Rumble.

Now that he's back in WWE, listen to Punk's full AEW story with PUNKVEMBER on the Cultaholic Wrestling podcast feed.