CM Punk And WWE Already Working On A New Contract
After leaving WWE in one of the most dramatic exits in company history, CM Punk returned to the company a decade later. At the end of WWE’s Survivor Series PLE in November 2023, Punk came out to a massive ovation just as the show was about to end. We wondered what dream matches we might see from the Second City Saint in WWE, as he had already initially returned to professional wrestling when he signed with AEW in 2021.
He did well in AEW, seemingly not losing a step as a wrestler. He’d also go on to win the AEW World Championship twice. The signing was huge, instantly making Punk the top star in the company and even increasing television ratings. However, a backstage incident with Jack Perry led to Punk being initially suspended and fired shortly after in the Summer of 2023. However, many felt this was a blessing in disguise for CM Punk.
After Tony Khan fired Punk, it backfired badly for him as the excuses seemingly fell apart. Once Punk signed with WWE, Khan would not let his bitterness go and showed muted backstage footage of what happened. It led to mixed reviews from even some of the biggest AEW fans, all of whom felt the footage was unnecessary to show. At this same time, though, Punk was riding high in WWE. While things have slightly halted due to an injury, Punk is once again in a top position in WWE.
WHERE CM PUNK IS IN WWE RIGHT NOW
However, after some live event matches for WWE, he entered the Royal Rumble match. While he had a good showing, he injured his tricep during the match thanks to an accidental bump while taking a move from Drew McIntyre. He had been in a rivalry with Seth Rollins prior to this, which was set to lead to the two having a match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40. Sadly, the injury took him out of the event.
Upon returning to WWE, the company clearly had big plans for CM Punk, and an unfortunate injury halted them. However, Punk stayed busy and even showed up to be a thorn in Drew’s side several times. In fact, he technically cost Drew the World Heavyweight Championship three times. Of course, Punk was not cleared to return to the ring, so he could only have minor physical interactions with everyone. After the last attempt to screw over Drew, it led to his rivalry with Seth reigniting.
CM Punk is supposed to be cleared to return to the ring by the SummerSlam PLE, where he’ll face McIntyre. Rollins, however, will act as the Special Guest Referee for the match. This is his current standing in WWE, but he wants to be an even bigger part of it.
PUNK’s BACKSTAGE WORK
While out with his injury, though, Punk has been obviously rehabbing. Outside of that, he’s been spotted at the WWE Performance Center and NXT tapings, including most of their PLEs. He has been spotted offering advice and guidance for talent, from character and promo work to in-ring psychology. Punk seems to be pushing for an opportunity to run NXT when he eventually retires. However, even before then, he wanted to be an asset for the young talent.
This is unsurprising, as Phil Brooks has loved professional wrestling his entire life. He wants to contribute and be an asset to the product’s growth and improvement. He even ran the Ring of Honor Dojo or training center when he was a top talent for the company many years ago.
Shawn Michaels, WWE Hall of Famer and the Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative for the NXT Brand, has enjoyed having Punk around. The two got along well when Punk was in WWE beforehand and have mutual respect. That said, CM Punk would not be allowed to be around as much as he has been at the WWE PC if Michaels did not want him there.
Punk reportedly wanted to be in a similar role with AEW. He knows his time in the ring might be over sooner rather than later, especially given all of the injuries he has been dealing with in both AEW and WWE.
When Vince McMahon was around, Punk would never have been given so many opportunities to work with younger talent. However, under the Triple H regime, he has been given a lot of access to the PC. Y0ung talent naturally comes up to him anyway.
WWE RESTRUCTURING CM PUNK’s CONTRACT
While many might find it to be more problematic than it is, CM Punk and WWE are working on a new deal. The new contract is not so much about money. Plus, WWE has every right to freeze his deal from when he was injured. Therefore, his deal has barely started. Why would WWE want to restructure it?
Most of this comes down to Punk, who has reportedly told WWE he wants to be around for a long time. PWInsider asked about the deal, and they were told that WWE wanted to work on the deal with Punk. It was not CM Punk going to WWE to restructure the deal, as some assumed. PWInsider claimed that when they asked about it, one source told them: “New World, Huge Numbers, Merch, and Socials.”
WrestleVotes reported recently that the company is “extremely happy with Punk’s attitude, commitment, drawing power (TV & Social Media), and big merchandise sales. It’s safe to say they want to continue this momentum for as long as possible.”
This is likely being done for a few big reasons. First, WWE does not own the name “CM Punk;” Phil owns it. Therefore, he has to allow WWE to license the name for use in things like merchandise. That means that WWE already has to pay him for that, even before the merchandise sales come in. Every WWE Superstar makes a percentage off of their merchandise sales. Those who own or use their real names in WWE usually get a higher percentage.
WHAT THEY ARE LIKELY ADJUSTING:
Due to making so much money for them and bringing in strong drawing numbers, they see his value at a rate higher than what he came in with. On top of that, they can likely offer him an improved, guaranteed deal. This would still allow him to make a percentage of his merch, but they could adjust this to enable WWE itself to make a more significant profit.
Punk might be willing to take more guaranteed money because there isn’t a risk of dropping below that number if merch does not sell as well from one week to another.
The deal also likely allows Punk to make more requests himself, which is another reason he’d likely want to adjust the contract. Various outlets are reporting that CM Punk does not plan to leave if everything continues to go well with WWE. He will be with WWE “forever.” Of course, his in-ring career won’t be able to go on too much longer. The goal would be to adjust the deal to allow him time to work on the NXT brand.
His in-ring deal might be considered “part-time.” He could work behind the scenes at WWE PC and on NXT for the rest of the time. He wants to get paid well, but his goal is to eventually end his career and then run NXT. This would be a unique contract, and he’d likely want to include something like this.
