CM Punk Would Redefine His Legacy Back in WWE

If Vince McMahon offered a six-month WWE contract to CM Punk that ran from November to April, would Punk say no?

And if Punk is willing to return to WWE, which was once as likely as hell freezing over, then wouldn’t McMahon and Co. have to offer him a contract?

This is a no-brainer. It requires no contemplation. Punk still has motivation to succeed in pro wrestling, and, remarkably, it will be his tenure in AEW that brings him back to WWE–and, quite possibly, allows him to achieve that long-awaited moment in the main event of WrestleMania.

For a multitude of reasons, Punk did not work in AEW. His two-year stint with the company ended with his firing, and a run that began with great optimism finished in abject frustration. But in returning to WWE, Punk could rewrite the narrative. Instead of being the common denominator in numerous negative incidents, Punk could play a starring role at WrestleMania 40, then fade off into the sunset on his own terms.

Once thought to be an impossibility, a return by Punk is certainly within play. He left on horrible terms in 2014, which the company made even worse by sending him his termination papers on his wedding day. WWE took Punk to court over his infamous podcast with Colt Cabana, where Punk was ultimately victorious. WWE lost that battle but won the war, forcing Punk to spend a lot of his own money on a case that did not need to go to trial. But nothing says “I’m sorry” like a massive guaranteed payday.

A run in Japan would also make a lot of sense, and a lot of money, but Punk has unfinished business in WWE. Considering the way his tenure finished in AEW, this now marks the first time when both parties–WWE and Punk–have a reason to work together.

One person who should be advocating for this is Seth Rollins. The reigning world heavyweight champion and one of the best wrestlers in the world, Rollins is currently unlikely to close out either night of WrestleMania 40. The main event of Night Two belongs to Roman Reigns, especially if he wrestles The Rock, but the opening night’s headline match is wide open. There will be plenty of competition for that spot from the likes of Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and Charlotte Flair, as well as a host of others. But Rollins would vault in front of everyone not named Reigns or The Rock if he secures a WrestleMania date with Punk.

Punk would bring an altogether different energy to Raw. If he is only with the company for six months, he’ll have left practically after arriving. The WWE roster takes pride in their tight locker room, so while Punk’s arrival would send off vibes similar to the return of Hogan, Hall, and Nash vibes in 2002 (a run that had many skeptics but ended up being a success), Punk would likely fit in without issue.

Let’s be honest. If Punk returns in Chicago at Survivor Series, you wouldn’t tune in to Raw that following Monday to hear his promo? Or the next week? Or the week after that?

For all the controversy stemming from his AEW exit, no one has ever claimed Punk could no longer wrestle or cut promos at a high level. He still has one more great run in him, and hopefully that takes place in the coming months in WWE.