CM Punk Reportedly Backstage At WWE Raw Despite AEW Return Rumors

CM Punk has not appeared on camera for a wrestling promotion since September of last year, yet the embattled AEW top star continues to make waves in both WWE and AEW.

Though Punk is expected to be back with AEW this summer, the volatile top star and former two-time AEW world champion was briefly backstage according to Mike Johnson of PWInsider (h/t Wrestlingnews.co).

“CM Punk was backstage ‘for a bit’ tonight before Raw,” read the report.

Johnson went on to note that Punk briefly saw Paul “Triple H” Levesque, the first time that they would have seen each other since 2014. Punk also met with several WWE talents but was eventually asked to leave at the behest of Vince McMahon, who is not backstage at Raw tonight.

Despite not being backstage, McMahon remains involved with creative as he is reportedly making changes remotely.

Rumors suggest CM Punk’s AEW return is imminent, with the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Wrestling Inc) recently reporting Punk is tabbed to return on June 17, 2023 for the debut of AEW Collision inside the United Center. This is eerily similar to Punk’s debut with AEW, when the promotion packed out the United Center for the second episode of AEW Rampage.

Punk’s return to wrestling after a seven-year absence was a feel-good moment, but one that would prove to only be temporary for Punk, AEW and Rampage, which continues to struggle with viewership. Though Rampage drew over one million viewers for Punk’s debut in August of 2021, Rampage this past week came in at just 336,000 viewers per fast national data. Rampage garnered 125,000 viewers in 18-49.

In a possible bad omen for AEW Collision, this number came on a night where Rampage was bumped to Saturday. Final viewership is expected to be higher, but likely to remain under 400,000.

CM Punk’s bizarre appearance is the latest snag in what has been a tumultuous comeback tour. Last month, Punk posted a since-deleted Instagram Story calling Chris Jericho and Dave Meltzer liars while suggesting Jon Moxley refused to do a job for him during their squash match in Ohio. Punk went on to call Jericho a stooge as tensions between Punk and AEW continue to mount.

Never known for his leadership skills, Tony Khan has taken little action, outside of forcing Punk back in AEW, in what is trending toward a disaster scenario. Khan reportedly has yet to meet with Punk, The Young Bucks, Jericho and all parties involved in last year’s Brawl Out. Khan has also remained radio silent in regards to the fallout of the Brawl Out, citing legal reasons.

The wrestling gods have given Khan and AEW every indication that a CM Punk return is a bad idea, and will only lead to more locker room strife within AEW. Punk’s WWE Raw appearance in Chicago was the latest sign.

Still, Warner Bros. Discovery executives seem to think Punk is worth the immense risk in AEW. How this story affects CM Punk’s AEW status is anybody’s guess, but given how much of Punk’s toxic behavior AEW has condoned, it’s likely Punk’s WWE visit in Chicago will also fall on deaf ears and blind eyes.