WWE decides against hiring CM Punk

  • Ian Carey
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WWE has decided against bringing back CM Punk. 

Punk’s intention to return to the company was reported in the latest edition of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, with sources from his camp stating the two sides were in talks. Dave Meltzer provided an update on the situation during a special Tuesday night edition of Wrestling Observer Radio. 

“They turned him down,” Meltzer said. 

“The decision was a no. He wanted to go there and the decision was a no. I mean, it can always change and it was brought up to me that there is no such thing as no forever when it comes to WWE but it’s no for now.”

“It’s Vince’s decision. Vince, Nick Khan, Paul Levesque and, obviously, they decided that the negatives outweighed the positives.”

Meltzer noted that WWE also decided against bringing Punk back when Fox wanted them to in 2019. Punk and WWE were also said to have spoken with each other while Punk was out injured following All Out 2022.

“About 10 months ago, they were talking again at that point but he was still under contract to AEW and I was told that that would be a no,” Meltzer said. “But it’s easy to say it’s a no because there’s no chance they could get him because of the contract. But this time they could, and they decided to pass.”

Punk was backstage at a WWE Raw event from Chicago on April 24. He is said to have visited with Levesque and The Miz before being asked to leave. 

“It could always change and it was made very clear to me that if WWE’s business went down, they know it’s a card that they could play but is it worth it?” Meltzer continued. 

Nick Khan was asked about WWE’s potential interest in Punk last month. Khan noted that they “only have respect for Phil” and “wish him nothing but the best.”

Punk also was backstage at an Impact Wrestling show from Chicago on April 29. Following Punk’s release from AEW, sources from Impact reportedly told PWInsider that they were “super excited” about the possibility of working with him. NWA World Heavyweight Champion EC3 also stated publicly that Punk in the NWA would be a “game changer” for the company.