More on CM Punk’s Appearance at NXT Deadline 2023 & Reason for Punk’s Visits at Performance Center This Week

As noted before, CM Punk made a surprise appearance at WWE’s NXT Deadline 2023 event this past Saturday in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Besides NXT’s Deadline 2023 event, Punk was also in attendance backstage at this past Tuesday’s television tapings for NXT at the Performance Center.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that Punk was also at WWE’s Performance Center on Wednesday and was seen training and holding court with NXT talents. Johnson reported that those spoken to stated that there was a massive genuine excitement at the Performance Center when Punk made a visit there this past Tuesday.

Punk confirmed on Instagram that he was at the Performance Center on Wednesday and took a photo with Cora Jade and Roxanne Perez there.

WrestlePurists’ Ibou reported that his sources stated that during his visit this past Tuesday, Punk was seen observing and seeing how things worked in terms of television production for NXT. Ibou reported that Punk’s current long term goal in WWE is to eventually succeed Shawn Michaels as the boss of WWE’s NXT brand.

Like I said on Saturday, CM Punk’s long term goal is to succeed Shawn Michaels in NXT. Was told he was buzzing last night, didn’t sleep and flew to Orlando. He’ll be doing a lot of observing tonight, seeing how things work over there in terms of TV production. https://t.co/kZf8iwJRhI

— Ibou, of WrestlePurists (@BackupHangman) December 13, 2023

Fightful Select reported that their sources provided more details regarding Punk’s visit to the Performance Center this week. It was reported that besides helping out and mingling with talent throughout the day, Punk was also seen roaming around NXT’s gorilla position, the hard camera area, and even behind the tech crew. It was reported that this looked like that Punk was not just making a casual visit but doing an active exploration of NXT’s inner workings. It was reported that Punk did a similar thing during his time in Ohio Valley Wrestling.

In regards to WrestlePurists’ Ibou’s report about Punk’s goal to succeed Michaels as the boss of NXT, it was reported that WWE officials spoken to stated that this would be something that would be a long way off due to there is no plans of now for Michaels to wrap up his time in NXT any time soon.

It was also reported that those close to Punk stated that Punk had taken Michaels recent endorsement of him seriously and played a big role in his decision for his surprise visit to the Performance Center this week.

In regards to Punk’s future with WWE’s NXT brand, Haus of Wrestling’s Nick Hauseman reported that those close to Punk stated that they do not believe that Punk’s visits will be a regular occurrence on his end. Those same people spoken to also gave a laughing reaction when asked over the reports of Punk wanting to succeed Michaels as his main goal.