CM Punk‘s long-awaited return to the ring appears to be back on track.
According to a new report from Fightful Select, CM Punk has been in talks to make his return to wrestling as an in-ring performer. It was explained that Punk and a company official from AEW have had discussions about an in-ring return, making AEW a “likely landing point” for the former WWE Champion.
It was noted by Fightful that there’s been no confirmation of a contract being signed, creative plans or a timeframe for the return, but could only confirm the two sides had ongoing conversations about an in-ring return. Fightful also added that they did not confirm the report with Punk or AEW officials, but were told recently that higher-ups in WWE believe he’s headed to AEW. Other companies have been said to show interest in bringing Punk in after crowds come back at their respective shows, but they had not heard of anyone making specific offers to him.
Punk has not officially wrestled since 2014. His last announced match was the 2014 Royal Rumble match, but he has made two other appearances under a mask on the independent scene. Since leaving WWE, Punk competed in UFC where he holds a 0-1 record. His fight with Mike Jackson officially stands as a no-contest, a result of recently being overturned due to Jackson testing positive for marijuana.
Punk has also appeared as an analyst on WWE Backstage last year, and has starred in the films Girl on the Third Floor and Jakob’s Wife. His next acting appearance will come as an independent wrestler named “Ricky Rabies” on the Starz original series Heels, premiering on August 15.
