CM Punk Explains How WWE Return Came Together After Decade Away

After nearly a decade away, CM Punk has shed new light on how his WWE return finally came together.

CM Punk walked out of WWE in 2014 following creative differences, before making his surprise comeback at Survivor Series 2023. Speaking on All The Smoke: Unplugged, he revealed that reconnecting with Paul “Triple H” Levesque played a key role in bridging the gap.

Punk explained that he reached out to Levesque following his well-documented heart issues, prompting conversations that eventually led to WWE exploring a return.

“We’ve had the conversations… it’s how we got to the point where I was asked, ‘what does it look like? Can we get you to come back?’” Punk said.

He added that seeing a clip of Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior reconciling shortly before Warrior’s death made him reconsider holding onto past grievances.

“It just made me realise this stuff ain’t worth it,” Punk said.

That mindset shift came at the same time WWE itself was undergoing major change. Following Vince McMahon‘s stepping back from power, Levesque assumed control of the company’s creative direction in 2022. Punk said those changes made the environment feel “wildly different,” which ultimately convinced him to return.

“If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t be here,” he said.

The result was one of WWE’s most talked-about comebacks in recent years, ending a nine-year absence and reopening a new chapter in Punk’s career.

CM Punk Set For WrestleMania 42 Main Event

CM Punk is set to face Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 42 Night Two to defend his World Heavyweight Championship. Punk captured the title by defeating Jey Uso at Saturday Night’s Main Event on November 1, 2025, after Seth Rollins vacated the title due to injury.