CM Punk‘s recent absence from WWE television has been addressed in a new report, following online rumours of an imminent release.
CM Punk’s recent absence from WWE television is not believed to be connected to any backstage heat or disciplinary issues. Rumours surrounding Punk gained traction earlier this week after an unverified social media report claimed the former world champion had upset WWE management around WrestleMania 42 and had subsequently been kept off television.
However, Fightful Select has pushed back on those claims, reporting that no one within WWE that they spoke with had heard of any incident involving Punk that would have resulted in disciplinary action. According to the report, sources within WWE also denied speculation that Punk was seeking a release from his contract or had been asked to take a pay cut.
“Nobody in WWE among the dozens we spoke to has heard that Punk wanted out of his contract, and none of the talent we heard from believed that he was asked to take a pay cut,” the report stated.
Fightful further noted that one WWE source indicated Punk is expected to be involved in an upcoming storyline and that his absence is not related to any punishment from the company.
The report also addressed AJ Lee‘s recent WWE run. According to Fightful, her return and eventual departure were planned well in advance, and there were no major creative changes following her comeback. Lee’s run concluded as originally planned, and there are currently no immediate plans for her to return to WWE television.
CM Punk’s Possible Return To AEW Addressed In New Report
Elsewhere, the report touched on the possibility of CM Punk returning to AEW. While no such move is believed to be imminent, some within AEW reportedly maintain a “never say never” attitude regarding a future reunion.
Punk’s AEW departure in 2023 came after several high-profile backstage incidents, but there are individuals within the company who believe some of those damaged relationships could eventually be repaired.
For now, however, there is no indication that Punk is looking to leave WWE, and sources continue to insist that his absence from television is not connected to any backstage controversy.
