Vince McMahon reportedly has no desire to bring CM Punk back, nor are there any plans for him to make a surprise appearance at WrestleMania 36, Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter. McMahon reportedly currently views Punk as “the one man I just can’t do business with” and no one else at the top level of management, including Paul Heyman, has argued or pushed for him.
It was reported that Punk’s agent did try at one point to open talks with the company but was turned down. Meltzer reported that those within WWE who felt that a one-time appearance by Punk at WrestleMania would be good for business were told that Punk devalued himself by making his big return on WWE Backstage instead of saving the moment for a big WWE event. WWE Backstage’s ratings struggling afterwards was also used as a counter argument to Punk’s value to the company.
When CM Punk was hired by FOX this past November to be a guest host of WWE Backstage, WWE gave their blessing as a concession to not cause any issues with FOX, but Punk’s appearances were limited to only one show per month.
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