CM Punk Makes STUNNING Return To WWE At The End Of Survivor Series

Holy fuck. I can't remember the last time something in professional wrestling legitimately stunned me quite as much as this.

I mean, seriously - hell must have frozen over tonight, because CM Punk is BACK in the WWE after nearly a decade spent away.

For those who don't understand the significance of this, Punk left WWE in January 2014 on about as bad of terms as anyone ever. He walked out on a show after being disgruntled for a while, went radio silent for months, WWE then served him his employment termination papers on his wedding day, they got involved in a massive he-said/she-said lawsuit against each other, and Punk spent years not involved with wrestling in the slightest. In fact, it felt like he actively despised wrestling and would avoid talking about it at all costs.

That is, until about two years ago - when Punk returned to the business and debuted in AEW, in one of the best wrestling moments ever....

Punk's AEW run had about as much hype as any in wrestling - but didn't go nearly the way we hoped. Injuries and backstage brawls with other talent turned a dream-come-true into a nightmare, and it almost felt like we just went through a sped-up process of his last few years in WWE all over again. 

Certain folk backstage were very vocal about disliking Punk throughout his run, Punk was getting accused of all sorts of stuff (like keeping talent off shows); eventually after the first brawl with Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks he was given his own show where people he didn't get along with wouldn't be booked, and overall, it just seemed like a super toxic work environment. 

After his second legitimate fight backstage at Wembley Stadium this August (this time with "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry), the company decided to fire him, and many wondered if his time in professional wrestling was up. 

It sure didn't seem like WWE would want him, based on their history, as well as the opinions of their talent and the dirtsheet reports….

….but every now and then - secrets are actually well-kept in wrestling, and we get moments like this tonight.

I know a lot of people who really love CM Punk, and a lot of people who really hate CM Punk. He's as divisive as they come in the eyes of both fans and people who know him personally, and yet - in my eyes, wrestling is ALWAYS better when he's around. I can't wait to see what comes of this. I'm ready to (possibly) get my heart broken by this man for a third time in my life.

Here's the details we know about this return as of now….

I bet Vince McMahon being out and Triple H being IN was a huge factor in making this happen. People forget - Triple H also brokered The Ultimate Warrior's return/induction into the WWE Hall of Fame back around the time Punk left. He's the guy to mend fences that Vince bulldozed, apparently.

I say you build to CM Punk vs Kevin Owens as the WrestleMania Night One main event next year. I know I'm biased cause I love KO but that's the match/feud I wanna see the most right away and I can't see it being bad. Owens is one of the few guys who can actually go toe-to-toe with Punk on the mic, and there's some real-life history there (which a lot of hardcore fans already know about) that you could let bleed into the storyline seamlessly. I say do it.

If not Owens, Seth Rollins would be a solid option too, of course. 

P.S. Please, for the love of god, buy some merch for 20% off. I like this 'Yes, Chef!' ugly Christmas sweater because I came up with it….

Quick update: These videos have come out since this blog was published….

Seth better be workin an angle for the future there, because that's a pretty insane reaction if not. The fact that we're even questioning whether or not it's a work is why having Punk back is the best, though. He's one of the few who can blur the line between reality/kayfabe simply by existing.

Oh, and apparently Drew is pissed too….

I don't even know if that's true, or Punk related, but regardless….