CM Punk has a Story to Finish!

Last night CM Punk returned to WWE after nine years of saying he would never come back to the product. This man CM Punk is a living legend at 45, who can still rock arenas and develop personal connections with audiences. Some argue that Punk will be released within the next year due to his attitude problems, but were Punk's problems a direct factor in all of his firings?

In 2011, CM Punk would become a household name by delivering the infamous Pipe Bomb Promo. "Do I have everybody's attention now?" A quote that is etched in WWE History, due to the nature of what Punk was about to say on June 27th, 2011. Punk would go on to talk about the state of the WWE, what the future entails, detest the fact that Dwayne Johnson gets a WrestleMania main event over him, and actually give his respect to then-rival John Cena and former best friend Scott Colton (Colt Cabana). Powerful lines of that promo include his mentioning of the Anti-Bullying Campaign that the WWE was supporting, yet 2011 Chairman of the Board Vincent Kennedy McMahon was accused by Punk of being the biggest bully of them all.

"I'd like to think that this company will be better once Vince McMahon is dead," said CM Punk.

Punky Attitude

This would develop rumors of an attitude problem that would be associated with Punk. Even before the "Pipe Bomb" CM Punk was known to speak his mind, as a drug-free Voice of the Voiceless. Punk's fanbase followed him from Ring of Honor, another wrestling promotion that he left on August 13, 2005. So by the time the Pipe Bomb promo was given, Punk had enough people behind him to create a buzz. Despite his popularity, years later Punk was fired from the WWE. Rumor has it that he was released on his wedding day.

Looking to the Future

Punk then tried his talents in the squared circle. In UFC, he wouldn't find much success and ended up retiring from all combat sports completely. Until 2021 when CM Punk would appear on WWE rival's television program. The upstarting All Elite Wrestling signed a controversial CM Punk and promoted him as their biggest star. 

"August 13th, 2005, I left professional wrestling. August 20th, 2021, I'm back," said CM Punk after debuting on AEW Rampage.

Punk had a mirthful run in AEW, including a rivalry with Maxwell Jacob Friedman that will go down as one of the most elaborate and complex storylines in history between a role model and an emotional fan.

Punk becomes Ostracized

However, a lot changed at the conclusion of the rivalry with MJF. After Punk finished his rivalry with Friedman, he was set to challenge World Champion "Hangman" Adam Page. In the story, there was mutual respect between the two parties. But on May 25th, 2022, that all changed. During Punk's run in AEW, it was revealed to the wrestling world that he and Scott Colton were no longer friends. Coincidentally at the time, Colton was fired from the program. Punk claims that he had nothing to do with Cabana's firing, but that didn't stop Page from saying, "You talk a big game about workers rights, yeah, well you've shown the exact opposite since you got here." 

Punk would be interlocked in a begrudging backstage rivalry with the EVPs in Page and the Elite, starting a period where everybody was divided on Punk's presence in AEW. Following a Jon Moxley match at All Out 2022, Punk was at a post-show media scrum where all hell broke loose. Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer, who has relations with Hangman Adam Page and his friends of The Elite caught an irate Punk sounding off on the situation. Punk would criticize the journalistic integrity of Alvarez, mention the irresponsibility of the EVPs, and how he hasn't been friends with Colton since 2014. He would call Adam Page, "an empty-headed dumb-fuck".

"I'm hurt, I'm tired, and I work with fucking children," said CM Punk.

Back and Forth

There was a brawl backstage between Punk and the Elite where weapons were used following the scrum. Expectedly, rumors churned following that Punk would have his contract bought out to lose his position in the company. Suspensions were given to the Elite and Punk and titles were stripped from all parties. The Elite would return within the year while Punk would not. Until the next year, on AEW's third show Collision. 

The triumphant return of "The Voice of The Voiceless" was again marred with controversy. His time in Rampage was always on thin ice. Punk was fired for the last time because of AEW Superstar Jack Perry. Punk advised Perry to not take a hit using real glass on live television because it wasn't worth the risk. Perry defied Punk's advice and did it anyway. It is important to note that many individuals also were against Perry doing this spot, yet Punk was the one to tell him. Punk choked him backstage for being disrespectful, and the rest is history.

"The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." MJF used this line to mock Punk, as this was something Punk said during his time in Ring of Honor.

Recently, there was a lot of speculation surrounding the name CM Punk.

World champion Friedman is currently being harassed by a Devil figure on AEW television. This person uses the same mask that Friedman did against Punk. AEW fans were speculating that the devil was CM Punk, but could it really be? On November 25th, that answer was given to us.

"A better man at play, I bui-- (static shock) Look in my eyes, what do you see!" - WWE Programming at Survivor Series 2023.

A Shocking Return

At Survivor Series 2023, after team Cody Rhodes picked up a huge victory over Drew McIntyre and The Judgement Day in the Wargames. However, after the celebrations, we found that Randy Orton wouldn't be the last surprise of the night. Chicago erupted at the music of the man who was last seen on WWE in 2014. Punk would arrive and embrace the fans in the front row. Now the question has to be, what's next for CM Punk?

We have a clue based on Seth Rollins' actions post-show. Rollins would have to be held back by commentator Michael Cole as he was looking to assault CM Punk. Rollins is someone who dislikes Punk's attitude and he recently called him "a cancer" wishing he would never be back. Punk is actually credited as the reason for Rollins' success in the WWE as he was the reason that the Shield was created, but he had a different idea for the group. The Shield is a hall-of-fame contending faction that included Rollins, Moxley, and Roman Reigns.

Rollins' anger off-screen leads to fan speculation that Punk vs Rollins will be a marquee WrestleMania match in Philidelphia. This could potentially be the Mania main event Punk has always wanted. It's a story that can go full circle for all parties, and our job is to watch.