Opinion

CM Punk’s WWE Future: Would he Even Want to Wrestle for Vince McMahon Again?

CM Punk is back and the pro wrestling world is buzzing with the news. But with his return, comes the inevitable question of whether or not he will wrestle again.

Published

6 years ago

November 16, 2019

Tom Clark

CM Punk is back and the pro wrestling world is buzzing with the news. The former WWE champion is now an analyst on FOX’s WWE Backstage program that airs on FS1 and there may be no better authority to fill the role than him. But with his return, comes the inevitable question of whether or not he will wrestle again.

Though he’s repeated many times over the past several years that he has no desire to, fans are asking all the same. It’s only logical that the question comes back with a vengeance and there will likely be no peace until it’s definitively answered. But maybe the better question is, why would he want to?

It’s well known in pro wrestling circles that CM Punk initially left WWE over several different factors. He was tired, he was frustrated and he was restless, all of this is true. But he was also hurt and the fallout from his exit and subsequent appearance on Colt Cabana’s podcst, only worsened the situation for him.

Not only was Punk confronted with the knowledge that WWE didn’t care about his physical well being, he also had to deal with the lawsuit from the company. Combine both of those events with the fact that he was fired via FedEx on his wedding day and it definitely seems as though WWE was perhaps not the most ideal place for Punk to work.

All of that is in the past of course and fans don’t really know what’s been said between the two sides behind closed doors. Perhaps there has been a meeting in which Punk and Vince McMahon had the chance to clear the air. Maybe the two men ended that meeting with a handshake and now all is well. But did that meeting also include a conversation about Punk getting back in the ring again?

Assuming that’s the case, is it also safe to assume that Punk has truly forgiven WWE for everything that’s happened? Punk is not perfect and he has made his fair share of mistakes, that much is clear. But when a billion dollar company goes after a single individual and spends the next few years mocking that individual in front of a worldwide audience, what are fans supposed to think?

Are they to believe that was nothing more than old school pro wrestling tactics played out for everyone to see? The business can be described as a lot of things, but a sacred collection of saints and humble personalities is not one of them. Obviously, WWE is a publicly traded company with an image to uphold. But that doesn’t mean the old pro wrestling mentality has been totally erased from within.

Of course this is not the Territory Era of the 1980’s. Shareholders and sponsors hold WWE to a much higher standard than what fans saw during Hulk Hogan’s day. The fans also believe the company should be held to a different standard as well, even though they know the ugly truth that lies beneath.

So with all of that information and all of those memories in Punk’s mind, what would make him think that WWE would handle him any differently now? Would he actually believe that the company would now choose to do right by him and treat him fairly, while they continue to drop the ball with other well deserving talents around him? If so, is that okay? Or would Punk immediately identify the problem as he did before and then become the outspoken advocate for change once again?

Or maybe a return to the ring would be nothing more than a one-off situation for Punk. The idea of Punk teaming with his wife, former Divas champion AJ Lee, against Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch at WrestleMania, has ben teased online by more than one fan who would love to see the match happen. Would Punk be satisfied with such a match, especially if it were the main event of the show? Would WWE even consider booking that match to go on last at the biggest event of the year? If Punk still wants the main event bad enough and if WWE agrees, then maybe it will happen.

But how much of that is just a cash grab for Punk, rather than an opportunity to finally close the book on his WWE career? While the payoff would certainly be in the realm of what he believes he deserves, Punk has made it clear that he’s never done any of this purely for the sake of making money. Punk wants respect and he wants what he’s earned. Or at least, he did.

What would make him really believe that the company would finally give him anything at the point? This is not the WWE that Punk left behind in 2014. WWE has received harsh criticism over the past few years for its nonsensical booking and convoluted storylines, both of which continue to drag down ratings, as well as fan satisfaction with the product, even now. Would Punk’s situation be treated any differently than that of his peers, or would he fall into the same turmoil as everyone else?

The situation wasn’t perfect when Punk was in WWE the last time and it’s arguably only gotten worse now. So with that being the case, why would he ever want to step back into that drama again? The talent level has certainly increased since he left WWE, thanks to NXT. But if Punk comes back and beats anyone from that brand, or anyone that’s on the rise in the company, wouldn’t he be as guilty as the part-timers that the company used when he was WWE champion?

Maybe CM Punk will indeed return to the ring. Perhaps things have changed between him and not only Vince McMahon, but Triple H as well. Or maybe all Punk wants is to make headlines with his new role at FOX and tackle it with the same enthusiasm that he did his ring career. The fact is that CM Punk saw the handwriting on the wall five years ago and it could very well be he’s got no desire to revisit that madness once again.

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Related Topics:CM Punk Triple H Vince McMahon WrestleMania WWE WWE Backstage

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

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SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1