In one fell swoop, WWE took Chicago from AEW. CM Punk made his earth-shattering return to WWE at Survivor Series on Saturday in Chicago. Rumors of Punk’s arrival started from the moment AEW fired him in August due to a backstage fight with Jack Perry at All In.
WWE trolled the audience all evening with whether Randy Orton would show up for his team in the WarGames main event. Some wondered if Orton would not show up due to teaming up with the man who injured him in Jey Uso.
After a brief delay, Orton arrived for his team, disappointing those who thought Punk would be the surprise partner.
Orton’s Team celebrated their victory as the show was about to go off the air. The copyright graphic appears on the screen, signaling an inevitable fade to black. After all, there is no way WWE would overshadow Orton’s return…It was all a ruse.
The copyright fake-out that worked wonders in NXT finally made its way to the main roster on the perfect occasion. The familiar static of Living Color’s Cult of Personality piped through the speakers in the All-State Arena.
The Chicago flag and taped fist iconography filled the jumbo trons as CM Punk emerged from the entrance, did his “It’s Clobbering Time” gimmick and celebrated with fans as loud “CM Punk” chants echoed throughout the arena.
Ironically, Punk returned at Survivor Series, the same PLE where his legendary 434-day title reign began. All eyes have now turned to a match with World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins.
Such a match is perfect for the night one WrestleMania main event, with Cody/Roman for night two. Some even suggest we could see Rollins vs. Punk as soon as the Royal Rumble.
Fightful reported that the deal to sign CM Punk wasn’t done until late last week, with some speculating pen was not put to paper until Saturday. The contract is a multi-year deal, and some people are unhappy about it. Rollins was filmed by fans at ringside having to be restrained by several people, including Michael Cole.
Rollins cussed out and flipped off Punk, which is clearly a work to set up their match. In an interview over the summer, Rollins was critical of Punk, calling him a cancer and telling him to stay away.
Either Rollins legitimately doesn’t like Punk, or he was working the fans with his comments in the event that Punk returned. No matter how you slice it, Rollins is a pro and will do business instead of leaving money on the table over petty beef.
It’s easy to understand why some wrestlers are upset over Punk’s signing because someone has just lost their WrestleMania main event. LA Knight, Gunther, Sami Zayn, Rhea Ripley, and others. Every main roster member has gone down a peg with Punk’s arrival.
CM Punk back in WWE after nearly 10 years away is a good thing, but let’s not gloss over his turbulent past. Punk walked out on WWE over health and creative concerns, and the company fired him on his wedding day. Punk said he would never return, then a troublesome two years in AEW has led him to work for the “doofus son-in-law.”
This is CM Punk’s last chance to make top money in professional wrestling. It’s not fair to call him a hypocrite for going back to WWE. After all, everyone needs money, but the more significant reason is that he’s not returning to Vince McMahon’s WWE. It’s a new WWE with Triple H at the helm, where new ideas thrive.
However, he’s done if the Punk/WWE relationship implodes. Whether it’s Punk’s fault or not, getting fired by three promoters will tarnish his legacy forever. Triple H, inadvertently or otherwise, placed a barometer at the post-Survivor Series press conference, stating.
“A lot of time has gone by. Almost ten years, right? And if you are the same person you were ten years ago, ten years later, you’ve messed up. Everybody grows, everybody changes, and I’m a different person.“
Triple H’s statement indirectly tells the world that if there are no problems, then CM Punk has changed. If issues are similar to those in AEW, Punk hasn’t changed, and he’s messed up. Perhaps it’s a cleverly worded passive-aggressive cover should Punk become a problem.
What’s next for CM Punk? He will be on Raw this evening, and everyone is dying to know what will come out of his mouth. Will he bash AEW in Pipe Bomb 2.0, or will he let the past die and move on to cement his legacy?
It will be interesting to see where Punk lands. He could join John Cena and Brock Lesnar as free agents, allowing him to appear on both Raw and SmackDown. The cache of his character’s rebel spirit fits free agency well.
Punk roaming brand-free removes the creative handcuffs and gets as many big matches as possible in lieu of injury. At 45 years old, Punk is injury-prone, missing several months of his two-year AEW stint due to injuries that required major surgery.
WWE could portray a bidding war for Punk’s services between General Managers Adam Pierce and Nick Aldis. Television rights deals for SmackDown and NXT are signed, sealed, and delivered. Raw still needs to secure its landing spot and could use the help ratings-wise.
CM Punk being exclusive to the red brand will increase ratings and WWE’s negotiation power to land the best deal.
Ultimately, a part-time deal is best for everyone. It reduces the risk of injury while allowing Punk to heal. It also keeps him special instead of just another act on the show. Dream matches with Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, and Cody Rhodes are dancing in our heads.
However, we’ve been through this before when he joined AEW,
Will CM Punk work the Saudi shows? Is AJ Lee coming back? Are we likely to hear Punk bash his former employer? Tony Khan said in a radio interview Monday morning he can’t legally talk about Punk going to WWE. The same rules may apply the other way around, too.
WWE treated fans to a post-credit scene for the ages with CM Punk’s return. He looked healthier and younger. Hopefully, whatever occurred in AEW is behind him so everyone can focus on what’s happening on screen while getting the best version of a Chicago-made punk.
RingsideLogic.com 