After being fired from AEW “for cause,” the straight edge superstar is back in WWE.
In it, he discussed a number of health issues and injuries he went through during his WWE career.
However, it also led to theend of their friendship.
It also seemed any potential of Punk returning to WWE was a moot point.
Fast forward to 2021 and we have the disastrous run of CM Punk in All Elite Wrestling.
I’ve been producing them on this web link for four years.
For the first time ever, “never” seemed like an appropriate response.
All we’ve seen, thus far, is Punk walk into the room in Chicago.
There are two schools of thought on this, so let’s make those cases, shall we?
By way of comparison, look at the first major decisions made by Disney CEO Bob Iger.
Levesque and Khan bringing Punk back to WWE is a similar situation.
Ratings are up, more live event tickets are being sold.
Lastly, but still importantly, this gives Punk the chance to not have his career end poorly.
But perhaps this is the throw in of “freedom” Punk needs as a performer.
We’d even add The Miz to that list, given the murky history between the two.
However, if there’s one thing wrestling isn’t, it’s perfect.
After all, look at the last two years of his career.
This wasn’t a run of the millcontract release or expiration.
This wasn’t a suspension pending release.
Bringing someone like that in could easily be a human resources nightmare.
Perhaps he’s been working a long-term angle.
Or, perhaps Punk has some fences to mend now that he’s back in WWE.
Will this lead to a spike in WWE’s ratings, though?
After all, that’s what the wrestling business is really about.
Look at AEW Collision, for example.
Two months later, though, and the show had sunk to usually bringing in 400-600,000 viewers.
Since his departure, Collision viewership has continued to sink with the November 17 episode bringing in 270,000 viewers.
Above all else, though, what does this tell others in the industry about toxic talent?
I’m not saying CM Punk is a toxic individual.
“Everybody grows, everybody changes,” he told the media.
“And I’m a different person.
He’s a different person.
There’s a different company.
And we’re all we’re all on the same even starting ground.”
It’s a stigma that’s going to follow him around for a while.
That’s something only Punk, himself, can fix, though.
That’s the Punk that needs to show up on Raw and stick around.
A Punk that is thankful for getting the chance to prove himself once more.
That Punk is the one professional wrestling is always going to need.
Hopefully, it’s the one we’ll get this time.
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