CM Punk could be back in WWE.
STEPHANIE McMahon’s shot last week at CM Punk’s UFC loss — telling the Chicago crowd to keep up their chants up for 2.15 seconds, a second longer than their hometown hero lasted in the Octagon — might have sounded like another good reason Punk’s never coming back — but don’t believe it for a second.
If the history of professional wrestling has taught us anything, it’s that almost everyone comes back eventually. When there’s money to be made, hatchets are buried, grievances forgotten, and old grudges turned into fan-friendly narratives that end with Hall of Fame inductions.
Punk’s UFC future isn’t so much up in the air as it is caught in a triangle choke, just waiting for Punk to tap or for someone else to throw the towel in. UFC president Dana White has skirted around the issue, trying to be diplomatic.
Speaking to TMZ Sports recently about whether Punk will fight again for UFC, he said: “He and I have not figured that out yet, but we will. I don’t know.
“I’ve got to talk to him and see how this thing works out for him. UFC’s a dangerous place. It really is. It’s a tough place to come in for your first couple of fights.
“I give him all the credit and respect in the world for coming in and giving it a shot. It’s a tough place to do it, though. So we’ll see what happens.”
Punk’s 2.14 second loss to Mickey Gall at UFC 203 was no great surprise.
To make his mixed martial arts debut on a UFC pay-per- view was pure arrogance and showboating.
Punk’s UFC future is in doubt.Source:AFP
But how likely is it that the 38-year- old Punk will start again in MMA’s lower leagues and work his way up? What would he have to gain from that, other than smaller pay-offs and more physical punishment?
If he fights again, it’ll be for UFC — one last decent purse for one last beating. But don’t count on it.
The timing’s perfect for both Punk and WWE.
After walking out on the company in January 2014 he’s done his best to distance himself from professional wrestling, and trolled fans who persist in asking him when he’s coming back.
He’s also in the middle of a lawsuit with WWE doctor Chris Amman — which isn’t expected to settle until at least May 2018 — who is suing Punk and Colt Cabana for defamation of character after the former WWE champ accused Amman of negligence on the infamous whistleblowing episode of Cabana’s “Art of Wrestling” podcast.
Punk also told how WWE fired him on his wedding day, and has since claimed Vince McMahon is bankrolling Amman’s lawsuit for petty revenge.
Yes, there’s been a lot of a bad blood. A lot of muck slung either way. A lot of bridges burned beyond all recognition. But this is pro wrestling. It’s not that it’s fickle business (no one truly forgets) but money is always priority number one.
WWE is screaming out for main eventers too. The brand split means there’s even more scope for headline feuds and championship runs than when Punk walked out.
By offering Punk a part-time schedule and making good on promises it made (and broke) several years ago, he could be back in 2017 — expect both parties to publicly soften on each other soon.
Punk’s old nemesis Ryback (who Punk accused of being purposely dangerous in the ring) is gone too.
Is it ‘clobbering time’ again.Source:Supplied
Instead, he’d have the pick of WWE’s current roster — AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, Finn Balor. Imagine the matches Punk could have. And what could be better?
A few more killer feuds, some big-money pay-offs, and a chance to have that WrestleMania moment he was always bitter he missed out on.
If Hulk Hogan could return — after jumping ship to WCW and almost putting WWE out of business — so can Punk. If Alundra Blayze could return — after throwing the WWE Women’s Championship in the bin — so can Punk.
If Bret Hart could return — after the greatest screw- job in wrestling history — so can Punk. And if Ultimate Warrior could return — after falling out with WWE so badly, the company produced the ‘Self-Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior’ documentary about what a nut case he was — so can Punk.
This is pro wrestling. Stranger things have happened.
The success of The Undertaker is often imitated, never duplicated but that hasn't stopped some the WWE Superstars from trying. Courtesy WWE
