When looking at dramatic career paths and game-changing events in professional wrestling, the journey of CM Punk, from his controversial WWE exit to AEW return, and back again, is one of the most shocking. Recognized for his “anti-hero” persona, both on-screen and off-camera, Punk has left an indelible mark on professional wrestling. He was one of the biggest stars in WWE for a decade, from his time in the revamped ECW, to the “summer of Punk” in 2011, and finally his exit from the company in January 2014. In 2021, Punk made his shocking wrestling return in AEW, but two highly publicized backstage brawls ended his run after just a few short years. Since November 2023, he’s been back in WWE, where he seems to be doing much better.
UPDATE: 2025/05/11 17:00 EST BY BENJAMIN VIEIRA
CM Punk has currently been on one of the best runs of his entire career. He is a bona fide main event star and has been involved in some of the best storylines in the company. He has gone to war with Drew McIntyre. He has had physical and verbal fights with Seth Rollins. He has also feuded with Roman Reigns and main evented night one of WrestleMania 41. It is safe to say that the relationship between CM Punk and WWE now is far better than where it was five and ten years ago. But that was not always the case. Punk has had a lot of problems with WWE in the past. So, let’s learn about the evolution of the relationship between CM Punk and WWE.
CM Punk’s WWE Career Is Unlike Any Other
CM Punk Rose To The Top Of WWE Despite Several Roadblocks
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CM Punk First WWE Run Timeline |
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2005-2006 |
CM Punk signed with WWE and worked two years in developmental in OVW. |
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2006-2008 |
CM Punk moved up and joined ECW where he won the ECW Championship. |
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2008 |
CM Punk won the World Championship from Edge by cashing in his Money in the Bank contract. |
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2009-2011 |
CM Punk led the Straight Edge Society and followed that up by leading the New Nexus. |
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2011-2013 |
CM Punk beat John Cena for the WWE Championship. He lost it and then won it back and held it for 434 days. |
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2014 |
CM Punk walked out of WWE following the Royal Rumble. |
In the world of WWE Superstars, CM Punk is a truly unique case study to explore. Punk caught global attention almost from the moment he made his WWE main roster debut in 2006, with both his ‘straight edge’ and ‘voice of the voiceless’ characters really resonating with fans. It was Punk’s high-caliber ring work, as well as his “anti-hero” persona, which seemed to spread both on and off the screen, that really made him a fan favorite of WWE fans.
Despite many believing he wouldn’t be someone Vince McMahon would push, Punk’s undeniable charisma meant that WWE gave him a 434-day reign as WWE Champion, as well as feuds with the likes of John Cena, The Undertaker, and Triple H. Punk didn’t want to rest on his laurels though, and wanted to work the main event of WrestleMania, something that ultimately led to his departure from WWE.
CM Punk’s WWE Exit Was Messy
His Final WWE Appearance Was At The 2014 Royal Rumble
- CM Punk’s last WWE match before leaving was the 2014 Royal Rumble.
- He spoke about why he left on the Art of Wrestling podcast.
- Punk was angry with WWE for a number of different reasons, including broken promises by management.
With his last WWE appearance coming at the Royal Rumble in January 2014, CM Punk’s sudden disappearance from the company triggered intense speculation among wrestling fans and industry insiders. However, fans had to wait almost a year, until November 2014, to hear Punk explain his reasons for asking to leave WWE on the now-infamous Art of Wrestling podcast with Colt Cabana.
Punk highlighted numerous issues with WWE, including alleged medical negligence, creative differences, and a perceived lack of respect. He expressed his discontentment over being consistently overlooked to headline WrestleMania matches in favor of part-time performers, such as The Rock. The combination of these factors resulted in CM Punk’s WWE departure, opening up crucial discussions within the wrestling community about the industry leader’s treatment of its performers.
AEW Brought CM Punk Back After Seven Long Years
CM Punk’s AEW Run Was Full Of Controversy
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CM Punk AEW Timeline |
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August 2021 |
CM Punk made his debut for AEW on Rampage. |
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May 2022 |
CM Punk beat Adam Page for the AEW World Championship. Five days later, he took off until August to heal from a foot injury. |
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August 2022 |
CM Punk returned and Jon Moxley beat him for the AEW World Championship. |
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September 2022 |
CM Punk beat Jon Moxley for AEW Championship at All Out. After the match, he got into a fight with the Young Bucks and was suspended. |
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June 2023 |
CM Punk returned and AEW started a new show called Collision with Punk as the main star. |
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August 2023 |
CM Punk got into an altercation with Jack Perry after All-In and was released from AEW. |
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For years, many fans speculated that Punk would return to WWE, putting aside his differences with management, but that never ended up happening. Following a less-than-successful run in the UFC, CM Punk made a much-anticipated return to professional wrestling, joining AEW in August 2021. His comeback to wrestling was met with a wave of excitement across social media and wrestling forums, highlighting his insane popularity, even after seven years out of the business.
Punk’s emotional AEW debut at the Rampage event had fans crying and truly getting invested in a wrestling hero again. His time in AEW wasn’t without controversy, with a fall-out with The Elite leading to a near-year-long absence from the company. When Punk returned, AEW planned on creating a new show, Collision, with him as the centerpiece, but after Punk had another backstage altercation, this time with Jack Perry and AEW President Tony Khan, AEW finally had enough and let him go.
CM Punk Was Not Happy With Some AEW Programs
CM Punk Said He “Wasted Some Matches” In AEW
- Punk appeared at ComplexCon 2024.
- He does not look back with fondness on his time in AEW.
- He had AEW programs with MJF, Darby Allin, and Adam Page.
In a 2024 appearance at ComplexCon, Punk participated in a discussion with Peter Rosenberg for Cheap Heat. During that appearance, Punk was asked if there were any matches or programs that he would have liked to be a part of while he was in AEW. To this, Punk responded:
“No. I feel like I wasted some matches on some people, for sure. That is what it is. Some people understand the business and some people don’t. I think everybody here understands the business.” (h/t Sports Illustrated)
During Punk’s time in AEW, he partook in programs with the likes of Darby Allin, MJF, and Adam Page. With Punk’s comments at ComplexCon, in addition to all of the controversies, he does not look back on his time with AEW fondly.
CM Punk Returned To WWE In 2023
The Most Shocking Return In WWE History Happened At Survivor Series
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WWE Tenure |
Ohio Valley (2005-2006), ECW (2006-2008), Main Roster (2008-2014) |
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WWE Accomplishments |
WWE Championship (2x), World Heavyweight Championship (3x), ECW Championship, WWE Intercontinental Championship, World Tag Team Championship, Money in the Bank (2008, 2009), OVW Heavyweight Championship, OVW Southern Tag Team Championship, OVW Television Championship |
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Accomplishments Outside WWE |
AEW World Championship (2x), ROH World Championship, ROH Tag Team Championship (2x) |
CM Punk’s wrestling journey is a tale of rebellion, resilience, and a deep-rooted love for professional wrestling. His departure from WWE brought several industry issues into the spotlight, spurring important discussions about wrestlers’ rights, creative control, and overall wellness. It really showed that, even to a fault, Punk believed in himself and wasn’t willing to settle for less.
CM Punk made his shocking return to WWE at Survivor Series in November 2023. According to reports (via Forbes), Triple H and CM Punk had a one-hour talk the week before to hash out their previous differences. It was also said that no one outside Triple H, CM Punk, and the wrestlers in the match knew he was showing up at the end of the show. Triple H even threw up the final copyright logo on-screen before his music started to throw off fans. What resulted was an incredible pop, and a negative response from Seth Rollins.
CM Punk Wants A Long Future In WWE
CM Punk Has Been Doing Great Work In WWE
- CM Punk won his feud with Drew McIntyre.
- He has been feuding with Seth Rollins, Paul Heyman, and Roman Reigns.
- Punk has praised WWE under Triple H.
Since CM Punk’s return to WWE, he has been singing a completely different tune. Whereas CM Punk hated the WWE of old under Vince McMahon, he has praised this new era under Triple H. He has even stated that if WWE Creative were the way it is today back then, he never would have left the company. CM Punk was involved in one of the biggest stories in WWE all year with the rivalry between himself and Drew McIntyre. He has also been doing stellar work against Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. In addition, Fightful stated:
“Thus far, we’ve heard that CM Punk has overcome the reputation he had coming back to WWE, and has been very easy to deal with.”
CM Punk Is Unsure About Signing With WWE Again
Punk Was Offered A New 5-Year Deal
- WWE wants CM Punk to sign a new contract.
- Punk is unsure of what he wants to do next with his life.
- He spoke on his wrestling status during WrestleMania 41 season.
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CM Punk’s contract has been, in any company that he is in, a major talking point. Around WrestleMania 41, the subject of him signing a new five-year contract with the company was brought up. Speaking on The Masked Man Show, he said:
“Your body’s going to give up on you way before your mind does. You know, so to me, my mind’s never been sharper. I’ve never been more focused. And there is life in wrestling beyond taking bumps and being in the ring. So we’ll see what happens. But I don’t plan on — they’re trying to get me to sign a five-year deal. So I look at that and I go, ‘Guys, I don’t know.’” (h/t F4WOnline)
Punk stating this comes at a time when many modern legends have been either calling it a career or have been winding down their schedules significantly. Nonetheless, Punk is currently doing some of the best work of his entire career right now as he’s currently feuding with Paul Heyman, the man who betrayed him at WrestleMania 41, and his new faction with Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker.
