Over the last several days, especially on Wednesday, there have been several rumors online and social, with unverified/unconfirmed reports claiming that CM Punk has had a fallout with WWE/TKO, which includes him not getting what he wanted after WrestleMania 42, refusing to take a 50 percent cut in pay and working with legal counsel to get out of his current WWE contract.
Both PWInsider and Fightful Select have squashed these rumors.
PWInsider reports that in speaking with a trusted WWE source, their only comment was, “It has as much truth to it as the stories that claimed Saudi Arabia bought us years ago.”
The source also added that while they did not know the reason Punk has been off WWE TV, it was noted there is new CM Punk merchandise coming and Punk is set to appear on WWE programming over the summer. Fightful Select also spoke with a source which also verified this to be accurate.
Fightful also added that a social media post that gained traction which suggested Punk was “saying goodbye” on the Raw after WrestleMania 42 was described to be internally not true.
Fightful Select also addresses claims of internal issues between WWE and Punk allegedly frustrated over his creative direction and his wife – AJ Lee’s involvement in storylines. In addition, the publication also mentions there were rumors of a backstage incident during WrestleMania 42 season involving Punk, but nothing has been clearly defined.
There is however, the incident in which Punk slapped a phone out of the hand of a fan who was filming Lee and Bayley even after Bayley asked the fan to stop. Fightful Select notes, internally this is not being treated as a major disciplinary matter.
Fightful Select also mentions the subject/topic of Punk potentially returning to AEW, as there is a belief among some that door is not permanently closed and that while a full return to the company is unlikely, the general sentiment is that relationships in pro wrestling do not stay severed permanently.
Furthermore, Fightful notes that is there is any truth to speculation of Punk’s return to AEW, it has not made it through talent or other channels internally and the thought of “never say never” in wrestling continue to linger.
As it pertains to AJ Lee, Fightful’s sources indicate she is not currently factored into any immediate WWE creative plans and that is this could however, always change. Fightful Select added that contrary to online speculation, upon Lee’s returning, there was not an expectation she would be a full-time performer.