CM Punk’s much-anticipated return to WWE on Monday Night Raw sparked a flurry of interest and speculation. Several aspects of Punk’s return, including his promo, backstage reception, and the potential involvement of his wife, April aka AJ Lee, have been the subject of discussion and scrutiny.
Regarding the promo, PWInsider reported that the initial plan was for a longer segment, but due to timing issues with the Randy Orton vs. Dominik Mysterio match running longer than expected, Punk’s time was cut short. It’s noted that such adjustments are common in live WWE TV.
Contrary to expectations, Punk did not take shots at AEW or Tony Khan during his promo. The focus was on Punk’s return to WWE after almost a decade, rather than his previous wrestling stint. The line about Punk being there to make money, not friends, raised questions about a potential dig at AEW, but there is no conclusive evidence to confirm this.
Punk mentioned his wife, AJ Lee, in his promo, but there is currently no discussion of her returning. AJ Lee retired for health reasons and has since pursued a successful writing career. However, a cameo appearance down the line isn’t ruled out, given her influence on current talents.
Backstage, there was curiosity about Punk’s demeanor, with expectations ranging from grumpy to friendly. According to PWInsider, Punk was sociable and interacted with many people before the show, giving the impression that he was “happy to be there.” Sources mentioned that there was no sign of the discontent reportedly experienced by Punk during his time in AEW. Some who were initially hesitant about Punk’s return felt more positive after interacting with him.
As of now, Punk is not scheduled for SmackDown this Friday in Brooklyn, NY, and he has not been officially assigned to any roster internally. His return to WWE has sparked enthusiasm and intrigue, leaving fans and the wrestling community eager to see how this new chapter unfolds for the Straight Edge Superstar.
