On a recent episode of the Strictly Business podcast, former WCW President Eric Bischoff addressed the ongoing rumors that CM Punk could return to WWE as soon as this year’s annual Survivor Series pay-per-view.
Here’s what the 2021 WWE Hall of Famer had to say about the Punk-WWE situation:
“My first reaction, quite honestly, was that whoever that high-level executive was that gave that information to Nick Hausman or anybody else for that matter, unless he or she was directed to do so as a means of possibly whetting the appetite. Unless that was the case, high-level employees should be drawn and quartered for leaks.
Creating momentum is difficult as it is much easier than maintaining momentum? And there is without question, if you look at the data WWE is on an upswing. Ratings, revenue, attendance, by every real data point WWE has created over the last real, year and a half? Quite a bit of momentum. So when you ask me, ‘Is WWE in need of CM Punk?’ No. But I would see him, Punk, contribute to maintaining or building upon that momentum, without question.
Well, as I’ve also said before, there’s a tremendous amount of backstory. There’s history there, and there’s an amazing pool of talent for Punk to work with as well as be supported by. A highly qualified and talented group of writers and producers, and senior management. I think I said on this show weeks ago when this subject first came up after Punk left, when you asked me or perhaps a fan asked, you know, what would you think about Punk going to WWE? It would be an entirely different situation. The CM Punk that we saw, the unprofessional CM Punk that we saw in AEW, you’re not going to see that in WWE. It’s an entirely different universe. Talking about the corporate universe. That’s the big difference.
Look, I’ve never criticized Punk’s talents or abilities. I’ve been super-critical, and I think rightfully so, in the way he’s conducted his business and some of the things that he’s said. I was also not a fan of his debut when he came out and essentially had to rely upon cheap heat to get a reaction and appeal to the dirt sheet universe that is so centric to what is. That’s not going to be the case in WWE. So the same guy in two separate companies is a totally separate discussion. I don’t know Punk personally. Don’t think I ever, I know I have never had a syllable of conversation with him. I don’t know him personally. I know how he conducted himself in AEW, and I think it was reprehensible.
And that’s being kind because I’m still in a good mood from my trip overseas, fatigued as I may be. Highly critical, and he’s earned every word of it. But as I said, it’s going to be an entirely different situation in WWE. Do I think he is as valuable now as he was 7 or 8 years ago? Probably not. But he’ll still contribute if indeed this is true. This is still, you know, Dave Meltzer and Nick Hausman reporting. And I’m not saying that they didn’t talk to somebody, but it’s still at this point secondhand information until it becomes firsthand information. I remain somewhat skeptical, somewhat skeptical, not totally skeptical. We’ll see, but. I still think like I said earlier, you know, creating momentum is really difficult.
Maintaining it is even more difficult. And I think CM Punk, especially given the nature of the controversy that he’s created for himself over the last year, I think, yeah, it will help contribute to, to maintain or build upon the momentum that they’ve already created.”
CM Punk wrestled for World Wrestling Entertainment from 2006 until he refused to show up to work in early 2014, which got him fired a few months later.
Phil Brooks then tried his luck in mixed martial arts (MMA), but after 2 UFC undercard-fighters defeated him pretty easily, Dana White didn’t give him another chance to fight in his promotion.
Punk then joined Tony Khan’s All Elite Wrestling in 2021 and managed to win the AEW World Title twice (and got injured during both reigns), but got suspended over a backstage brawl that took place after the All Out 2022 PPV.
He eventually returned to television on June 17th 2023 at the debut episode of AEW Collision, before finally being fired on September 2nd after yet another violent backstage incident, this time at the All In UK pay-per-view. At this point it’s reported that WWE turned down any request for him to return.
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