According to Dave Meltzer in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, CM Punk is in talks with the WWE to make a return after his AEW release this past summer.
“There have been rumors that it’s happening, but those in WWE have only said that no deal is completed and those close to Punk have told us that it is his intention to return and the two sides are in talks. One would expect if such a deal is made that Survivor Series weekend in Chicago would be the time to do the surprise return”
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
It is coming from Meltzer so you still have to take the report with a grain of salt. However, there are a few things of note this time around when it comes to CM Punk and the prospectus that he makes a return to WWE.
First, Punk was reportedly interested in returning last December when he was in the middle of his first AEW suspension. However, the Best in the World was still under contract with All Elite, and at the time it simply didn’t make any sense for Tony Khan to release him just for him to potentially go back to WWE. Second, WWE is under new ownership and under the TKO umbrella with UFC and the rest of the brass there with whom Punk reportedly still has a good relationship. Third, Shawn Michaels publicly talked about Punk joining NXT, which if Punk returns to WWE it likely won’t be for NXT, however, is still significant considering a high-level WWE official is talking about the former AEW star in a positive light. Fourth, although WWE is still riding high in comparison to AEW, a CM Punk signing would offset All Elite nabbing Adam Copeland and once again get all of the spotlight in the pro wrestling world. Lastly, if CM Punk still has that itch to continue with pro wrestling, WWE is the only domestic promotion that’ll be able to afford him. Sorry IMPACT.