Concerns over the end of his wrestling career once again loomed over CM Punk after he departed from All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on the heels of his second suspension.
He was asked to leave AEW in September 2023 due to his involvement in two separate behind the scenes brawls at pay-per-view events, both incidents occurring within a one year span.
On an episode of the widely followed “No Contest Wrestling” podcast, Punk shared insights about his unexpected return to WWE. He confessed,
“On leaving AEW, I genuinely thought my wrestling career had reached its end. This was around August or September. So, I’m off duty, and I get a call from Nick Khan in November. ‘When can we expect you?’ And I’m like, ‘Nick, didn’t you hear, I was let go. Quite publicly.’”
Punk went on to reveal that Khan envisioned a different, albeit cliched aspect for his comeback. To this, he commented,
“The initial idea was the common Rumble appearance. ‘You make your entry at the Rumble.’ My reaction to this, looking from a creative’s perspective is, ‘Fine, but isn’t this the same for everyone? It’s rather ordinary.’ However, I must admit it was a thoughtful gesture. The Survivor Series is happening in Chicago. It’s in three days and guess what, the Thanksgiving is also around the corner.”
Ever since his return in 2024, Punk has been one of the key highlights in WWE. His victory over Drew McIntyre inside the Hell in a Cell at WWE Bad Blood further asserts this.