More on CM Punk’s Backstage Visit at Monday’s WWE RAW Show

As noted before, current AEW and former WWE talent CM Punk was seen backstage prior to the start of WWE’s RAW show in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Punk’s visit was cut short under order of WWE Executive Chairman Vince McMahon, who had asked for security to escort him out of the venue.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that the origin for CM Punk’s WWE visit was from him taking a trip from Florida this past weekend following his commentary work for MMA promotion Cage Fury Fighting Championships. Punk reportedly had booked a flight out of Tampa that ended up also having several WWE talents and staff on board. Punk reportedly was seated next to several of them and had learned that WWE would be holding their RAW show at the Allstate Arena in Chicago this Monday.

Johnson reported that when Punk arrived to the venue, he was brought in by several talents.

Those spoken to stated that Punk was seen in a common area in full view of anyone that came past by him backstage and met up with WWE CCO Paul “Triple H” Levesque for a brief meeting that lasted for around a minute or two. This meeting reportedly involved the two shaking hands and Punk asking if it was okay for them to have a conversation, which Levesque stated that he would need to see if the “big guy,” Vince McMahon, would be okay with this and then left.

Punk reportedly remained in the area for the entire time talking to talent who stopped by, which included The Miz. Punk’s talk with the Miz reportedly was stated to be them clearing up any past issues between the two from their time together on the former WWE Backstage show.

Johnson reported that Punk was informed around twenty minutes into his visit that security would not be allowing him to stay any longer. Punk reportedly said his goodbyes to everyone and left the venue.

In regards to the potential reason for Punk’s removal, one source spoken to reportedly denied that Punk being a contracted wrestler for AEW was the reason for his exit. This same source reportedly stated that AEW contracted talents Malakai Black and Andrade el Idolo were allowed to be in attendance and on television during WWE’s Hall of Fame 2023 ceremony show this past March. This same source reportedly also stated that the reason for Punk’s removal likely was due to the way Punk had left the company in 2014 and the “legal” history between him and the company.

In regards to the rumors of Punk was trying to gauge interest for a potential WWE return, Johnson reported that his sources denied this rumor being true. Johnson reported that Punk still remains under contract with AEW and even if wanted to do so, he legally could not negotiate with WWE for a potential contract with them at this point.

In regards to the reaction from AEW, Johnson reported that those spoken to within AEW stated that Punk’s WWE visit was something that they did not have knowledge beforehand of happening. Several AEW people spoken to reportedly initially believed that Punk’s WWE visit was some sort of lie being passed around. Those spoken to within WWE who did not meet with Punk reportedly also did not have any knowledge beforehand of his visit and were in both disbelief and thought it was a fake story at first.

In regards to Punk’s potential motives, Johnson reported that those spoken to stated that this was not some sort of publicity stunt pulled by Punk nor was anything filmed meant to be posted online for a viral sensation moment. One person spoken to within WWE reportedly stated that they believe the reason for Punk’s visit was simply him trying to kill off whatever past heat he had in the company based on his interaction with The Miz and likely the same with Levesque. This same person reportedly stated “Isn’t nine to ten years enough time of carrying whatever bad blood there is?”