Wild rumors have been exploding online trying to explain why CM Punk has been missing from WWE television for the last two months, but backstage sources say there is no drama.
The internet has been flooded with theories, including claims that Punk wanted out of his contract, that TKO executives were angry at him for backstage politics at WrestleMania, and even that he was forced to take a pay cut.
Other rumors suggested Punk was furious over how WWE was treating his wife, AJ Lee, or that he was in trouble for an incident where he slapped a phone out of a harassing fan’s hand.
However, Fightful Select has completely debunked these stories, noting that WWE never held the phone incident against him, and the rumors about AJ Lee make no sense since she finished her return run exactly as planned.
In reality, dozens of people within WWE, including people who dislike Punk, say they have heard absolutely nothing about him being in trouble or wanting to leave. Instead, a company source confirmed that Punk’s time away has nothing to do with disciplinary issues and that he is simply being saved for an upcoming storyline.
WWE is already preparing new merchandise for him and locking in his schedule for a major summer run. Even the rumors that he was saying goodbye to fans on the RAW after WrestleMania turned out to be completely false.
Interestingly, while a return to the ring seems locked in for WWE, some people over at his former company, AEW, are already looking far into the future. Despite his incredibly messy and controversial exit from All Elite Wrestling, certain people within that promotion privately believe that the bridge between the two sides isn’t burned forever.
While he may never actually wrestle for AEW again, some employees feel that time heals all wounds and used the classic wrestling phrase “never say never” when asked if they would ever patch things up.
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