CM Punk returned to WWE at Survivor Series 2023 amid ubiquitous speculation during the buildup. Punk appeared following the men’s WarGames main event.
WWE added to the drama, rumors and innuendo by teasing that Randy Orton wasn’t going to be at Survivor Series. In a backstage segment, Sami Zayn told Jey Uso that Randy Orton was not here yet, leading to loud “CM Punk” chants from the Allstate Arena. Fans chanted for Punk throughout the men’s WarGames match. In the end, Orton showed up for a WWE return that was compromised by wrestling gossip. Still, Orton received a massive reaction for his long-awaited return after 18 months.
With CM Punk long gone from AEW, speculation of his WWE return hit a fever pitch headed into Survivor Series in Punk’s hometown of Chicago. Fans have dissected every angle of CM Punk’s possible return, and rumors have only intensified thanks to a series of WWE Easter Eggs.
Seth Rollins has used terms like “best in the world” and “cry me a river” in recent promos. During a September broadcast of Raw, shortly after Punk’s Brawl In with Jack Perry, Cody Rhodes said of Jey Uso “you are looking at somebody who has received a large amount of second chances. He is one of the very best of the world, he deserves a second chance and I think we should give him the time to show us that he’s changed.” Becky Lynch has used cheeky terms like “catalyst for change”
Then there’s Shinsuke Nakamura.
Shinsuke Nakamura has served as WWE’s own personal conduit to CM Punk speculation. It’s almost as if the promotion is using Nakamura to gauge fan interest in a CM Punk return. Since Punk’s violent departure from AEW, Nakamura has used the Go To Sleep (Punk’s finisher) in many of his matches. Though the move did not garner much response from fans initially, fans recently chanted “CM Punk” during Nakamura’s match against Akira Tozawa on the November 6 broadcast of Raw. Nakamura has been cutting cryptic promos in recent vignettes, calling out a mystery opponent. With Survivor Series set to emanate from Chicago, many fans were hopeful that the mystery opponent was CM Punk.
Despite the stage seeming to be set for a CM Punk return, reports have suggested otherwise. In the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Wrestling Inc), Dave Meltzer reiterated that there was no evidence of a CM Punk return. A notorious waffler, Meltzer went on to add that anything is possible.
“Ok guys, I’ve asked…. Everyone I can, every way I know how. Nothing has changed. We will know one of two things when Survivor Series goes off the air,” wrote WWE insider @WrestleVotes. “It was either the greatest kept surprise in company history OR it just wasn’t meant to be, yet.”
WWE has created a monster by co-opting CM Punk return rumors through hints on WWE programming. So much so, WWE announced Randy Orton for Survivor Series ahead of time so fans in Chicago wouldn’t think the mystery WarGames partner was CM Punk.
CM Punk hype became so prominent, current and former WWE Superstars found themselves answering questions about Punk’s possible return.
“I mean, there’s so many eyes currently on WWE television,” Johnny Gargano told the Battleground Podcast (h/t Wrestling Inc). “Obviously, every little bit helps. I mentioned earlier how Logan Paul has taken the United States Championship all over the world with him and getting new eyes on the product. So, I feel like, at the end of the day,” he added, “whatever is gonna get more eyes on WWE television, that’s the best move possible. Whoever that may be, whoever they bring in, whatever eyes they bring in, I’m all for it!”
“One thing I learned in my time in WWE is nobody knows nothing,” said “Top Dolla” A.J. Francis. “Nobody knows what’s happening week-to-week on the shows—well let me rephrase—none of the talent know week to week on the shows,” said the former Hit Row member. “Like every once in a while … I mean, obviously, Roman knows. Roman’s gonna know, they’re gonna keep Roman in the loop. Roman is ‘the guy,’ he’s the reason the company’s doing so well right now. So he knows, but like 99% of the roster don’t know what they’re doing next week let alone at Survivor Series.”
Punk has been a trending topic on Twitter all week, and WWE had all the evidence they need to suggest Punk remains a star to a large segment of its audience. In the end, the rumors seemed to manifest a CM Punk return in Chicago.
Punk returned following the WarGames main event and all feels right in the wrestling world.
For now.
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James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
