CM Punk lost the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 42. (Credit: Andrew Timms/WWE via Getty Images)
WWE via Getty Images
The WWE rumor mill is churning with rampant speculation about CM Punk and his status with the company.
Earlier this week, an unverified X user ignited rumors that Punk was potentially on the outs with WWE after disappearing from Raw and SmackDown following WrestleMania 42 in April. As they tend to do in pro wrestling circles, those rumors quicky took on a life of their own and spread like wildfire.
The conjecture among fans seemed to focus on TKO’s potential desire to renegotiate Punk’s contract, Punk’s unhappiness with WWE and even possible issues between Punk’s wife AJ Lee and WWE. But multiple major pro wrestling news sites are debunking much of what is being said about Punk, Lee and WWE.
WWE Reportedly Preparing New Storyline And Merchandise For CM Punk
WWE is already taking steps in planning for the TV return of Punk.
According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, “There have been lots of unverified claims on social media of CM Punk stories that all point to alleged issues between he and WWE and/or Punk asking for a WWE release.” Johnson added, “There is new merchandise being put together and Punk appearances are set for this summer…So, this is, as they would say, much ado about nothing.”
Fightful Select (h/t Wrestling Inc) took that a step further. In addition to new merchandise, WWE reportedly has creative plans penciled in for the former World Heavyweight Champion: “ It was also confirmed that plans did call for Punk to return to television, and that merchandise, dates, and a storyline were in place.”
As merchandise is being prepared for Punk’s TV return, potential storylines are reportedly being considered as well.
AJ Lee’s Status With WWE
Although Punk’s wife AJ Lee has been notably absent from WWE TV following WrestleMania 42, that is apparently part of a long-term plan.
According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select (h/t Yahoo! Sports), “AJ Lee is not expected to return to WWE television in the near term.” That’s because her contract is not a full-time one, reports Fightfult Select (h/t WrestleView), meaning that prolonged and frequent absences will continue to be the norm.
Lee reportedly signed a “multi-year contract” in 2025 that would keep her with WWE into 2027 following her improbable return last year. According to Fightful Select’s report (h/t ITR Wrestling), “The thought of Punk being mad over Lee’s treatment was reportedly scoffed at internally, as she did what she set out to do, and everything went according to plan.”
Likelihood Of CM Punk Returning To AEW
With rumors of Punk’s WWE departure running wild, that has naturally led to speculation that Punk could make an improbable return to AEW. But don’t count on it, at least not right now.
Fightful Select also notes that “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.” The site adds that any chatter of Punk returning to AEW “has not made it through talent or other channels internally.”
Punk remains with WWE after signing a reported three-year deal in November 2024 that will extend through November 2026, though injury time could be tacked on to that deal as it has in previous cases.
Why Is CM Punk Off WWE TV?
Punk’s WWE hiatus may very well have a simple explanation: it’s planned time off.
Fightful Select’s report also noted that “several WWE sources have confirmed that CM Punk did not ask out of his contract, and he was not asked to take a pay cut. He is not off TV due to disciplinary actions either, but simply because he has earned this break.”
Punk has played a prominent role on WWE TV since his return in 2023, and though he missed extended time after undergoing tricep surgery in early 2024, he has been a fixture in Raw’s main event picture. One could argue that Punk has also been WWE’s best all-around performer over the past three years.
Following his loss to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42 and WWE’s creative reshuffling, Punk was simply the odd man out at a time when he wasn’t needed on Monday nights.