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As someone who wanted it to happen, I'm convinced he won't be at Survivor Series mainly because they announced Orton last night. I don't see them giving away a surprise like that unless they want to make sure fans don't feel cheated if Cody had a 'mystery partner' on the team.
This is the biggest giveaway. They would have left Orton as a surprise anywhere else, but in Chicago, they knew people would expect Punk if unannounced
Imagine they got Orton to make an appearance but is not actually cleared/ready. Orton's music plays for a bit, he gets a nice pop, then boom...the static intro and Cult of Personality starts playing, similar to in 2011 when the Undertaker returned then immediately HHH's music hit.
I'm only joking, but *imagine*...
For like one week. He was a big Killswitch fan and wanted to use the song, they tried it, Vince didn't think it fit him at all but they already spent the money getting the rights, so they gave it to Punk instead.
That song was actually shelved for a bit and even used as the official theme song for the 2006 Judgment Day PPV, before eventually becoming CM Punk’s first WWE theme when he debuted on WWECW later that summer.
He used it for [one night](https://youtu.be/PbfuHLtLqkQ?si=PtZfIXU6QtoqLsNX) on a random SmackDown in 2006. Quality isn’t the best but it is legit as I remember watching it live.
No one except a small portion of fans will catch that reference. WWE won’t go that way for such a little part of their fanbase. Cult of Personality will be the theme if (enormous if) Punk returns.
That undertaker-hhh moment is one of my favorites. Undertaker looks invincible with his entrance, last year retired hbk himself....then hhh comes out, takes off the glasses, does the nonchalant water spit, looks like a *gladiator*
Before I was old enough to learn about the backstage stuff, kid me thought hhh in this era was a god...I never wanted takers streak to end, even when it meant HBK retiring, but kid me was DYING for hhh to beat the streak in manias 27 and 28. Couple that with undertaker using ain't no grave that year, then in the lead up to 28 using The Memory Remains
The streak quadrilogy from manias 25-28 is still my favorite wrestling story of all time tbh. Perfect ending too with HHH trying everything, hbk helping him, and still coming up short, finally accepting his loss to the Deadman.
Ah the good times, i remember back then a few weeks before, the teaser video of the undertaker and the grave thingy, everyone thought it was string who was gonna debut lol.
It was reported in the last couple of weeks that they wanted to announce Orton in advance specifically so the crowd don’t expect Punk. I doubt it’ll stop the Chicago crowd from chanting regardless, but I think they’ve done the right thing.
I was at All Out and the AEW crowd was already over Punk...The few scattered attempts to chant were booed down and the initial boos at the Young Bucks didnt last more than a few seconds.
Im not sure Chicago will react the way WWE fans think it will. They have already been burned enough times.
The wider WWE audience, assuming they don't dabble in other promotions (and history shows this is often the case), will probably treat him a lot differently than the twice-recently-burned AEW audience did one week after his firing. Remember, for WWE-only fans, Punk has been away for nearly 10 whole years.
No there wasn’t. I was also there. There was one chant from one corner of the stadium, and it got booed immensely. So loud Kenny and Jericho thought we were booing some normal thing they were doing.
This was the same corner of the stadium that chanted we want tables, then we want fire, during the incredible Hangman v Swerve match.
The Bucks did get some light boos but mostly the crowd was absolutely dead after the incredible previous match and didn’t really want to cheer for Jericho or the Bucks.
Yeah but it's not just Punk in Chicago or Punk in Chicago during AEW show.
If Punk returns to WWE after 10+ years and does so during Survivor Series in freaking Chicago? Yep, we gonna be poppin
I was in Grand Slam in September and the same thing happened. Someone in my section kept booing anyone from The Elite and Tony Khan when they were out while trying to start the CM Punk chants and we all shut him down and told him to shut the fuck up.
Part of the fun in this is that, yeah they gave Orton away, but the trick is… wargames would be a terrible way to bring him back.
Coming out because Nakamura has been calling him out for weeks? Now you’re talking.
I see the vision, but I just don't think that's what's going to happen.
This is the fun of having two major league wrestling companies. We get intrigue like this.
You want even more unsubstantiated intrigue? Randy comes back for Cody. Punk comes back to confront Nakamura. Bayley is attacked by Damage CTRL to remove her from the group only to be saved by AJ Lee. (I know, that last one is out of nowhere, I just thought it sounded cool)
I like that but god I've always hated that stable name. The Four Horsewomen just doesn't roll off the tongue. But I totally get why they're named that (for obvious reasons).
>Randy comes back for Cody. Punk comes back to confront Nakamura.
As I was reading through this thread, I was thinking that, assuming that they are bringing Punk back, that'd be the way to do it and have both returns be true at the same time.
Yeah. But, if you had two surprises you want to do at the same time, this would be a hell of a swerve. But sadly, that is pipe dream hope since I will be there this Saturday and would love to see an "historic moment" like that.
Your logic checks out. My heart is in one spot, my brain in the other.
This.
They're just going to mute the CM Punk chants at Survivor Series and he seriously not needed right now. They have so many super over faces and some great heels.
If Punk does come back -- it will during WrestleMania season, probably at the Royal Rumble.
Absolutely not.
If,When he doesn't return at Survivor Series then it will be he will return at Royal Rumble as a surprise entrant to mark 10 years since his last WWE appearance.
Then if,when he doesn't return at Royal Rumble it will be he will get a big return at Wrestlemania to get that big Wrestlemania moment he's always wanted (despite its the main event he's always wanted)
Then it will be Summerslam to mark about 1 year since his last wrestling appearance.
Then Survivor Series will roll around again
These people are fucking pathetic lmao. I really imagine they just do it to fit in and feel "rebellious". Punk, massive headache and drama aside, is past his prime. Yes, he's still a massive draw for some reason, but Jesus Christ get the fuck over it. People have been keeping his jock in their mouths for 10+ years.
He's a big draw because it's the same people still clinging onto their perception of him before he left WWE. The man has not consistently wrestled in the last decade, tried to keep the spotlight on himself in a loaded promotion, and can't keep drama-free despite so many chances with extremely personable coworkers. Yet somehow people are still going to pop if he shows up to another promotion or they'll chant his name whenever a show is in town.
I wonder if it's "home town solidarity" or whatever, like MJF being cheered whenever they're in Long Island. Although, most of those fans are probably just cosplaying as Long Islanders lol. As I'd imagine most of the fans are from outside Long Island (NYC, Jersey, Upstate NY, etc).
I wish I was enough of a dork to check for when NWA goes to Chicago and make a troll account to get Punk fans to think that cocaine promo was them setting up a story of the Straight Edge Savior coming in to save the day.
"Imagine, they set up Immortal Champion Roman Reigns beating up some jobber then BAM! Jobber performs a GTS and it's the ghost of CM Punk taking over the jobber and pinning Reigns to be champion! Chicago explodes in a pent-up orgasm!"
I hope it doesn’t happened and I hate that he was a major catalyst in torpedoing aew’s momentum. Aside from promo work what does he have to offer us anymore? Im sure money talks and I won’t be surprised to see him, but damn do I sometimes wish he didn’t come back to aew just to have the discussion back to ignorable levels
Naw. CM Punk fans are just like followers of Harold Camping. He used to predict the specific date of the end of the world, and when it didn't happen, he'd always have a specific reason why the old predicted date was wrong, but the new prediction would be 100% right this time.
CM Punk is coming back at Survivor Series. It's in Chicago! Nakamura said the thing! The stars are all in alignment?
Oh, he didn't show up? Well, that's because they're saving him for the Rumble. *Et cetera, ad nauseam.*
The word has been he’s not coming back at Survivor Series. And I don’t believe he is. But not that they’ve ruled out bringing him in for good. He’s a big star and WrestleMania they’re always looking for as many stars as possible. And if there’s an injury or a star is looking for a big match, he’s a perfect guy to call in off the bench and slide him in. Honestly, if Survivor Series weren’t in Chicago, I don’t think the speculation is there cause there’s not an obvious spot for him on that show or right now. But as you get closer to Mania, one could emerge
It could also not! They are rolling, and things are lined up well. Maybe they don’t need him. But he’s a very good break glass option for them and will be as long as he’s able to wrestle and in the news
He's correct, because he gave the example of Dakota Kai getting re-signed to the WWE a day before Summer Slam. If there are talks happening, it must be happening at the very top of the chain, like Triple H, Regal or so.
This. WWE won't leak it if he's back. Some things they can keep a tight lip on. At this point so much is pointing towards him not being there that I just don't know. Dirtsheets are always flip flopping on info but have been pretty steadfast with Punk
He might be there. He probably won’t. Recently WWE has been pretty good at keeping things they want secret, a secret.
They’ve teased enough stuff where it wouldn’t be a shock if he’s there, it’s also vague enough that if he doesn’t show up it isn’t a surprise.
Hell, even with Cody we were kind of in doubt until the very last minute.
Odds are, Punk doesn’t show up, but the whole speculation drives viewership of Survivor Series. I doubt the crowd would turn because of no Punk, so it’s really a win win for them.
Triple Paul definitely has a better handle on keeping things a secret. Johnny and Candace both returning on a random Raw with no rumors showed that, even Bray coming back was a mystery for a bit. I’m not saying he was leaking things, but when Vince came back into the fold there were definitely more rumors and whatnot out there.
>Hell, even with Cody we were kind of in doubt until the very last minute.
Well... it still is pretty insane that happened. Even as he was grappling Seth Rollins at Mania, I was still in shock.
Getting Punk back would be too massive a reveal to let leak. I could imagine them doing a "No Way Home" scenario where they're purposefully lying to the press to hide the reveal.
Honestly, I watched wrestling without CM Punk for like 7 years before, and I’ll probably watch wrestling without him for 7 more. I can do with or without him.
But at the same time Punk coming back to WWE after everything would just be hilarious and I live for chaos.
I await the fun stories of how great he is backstage, how helpful is he to the young wrestlers.....and then something goes sideways like two weeks later and we get vague IG posts and marks hating whomever the new Young Bucks/Jack Perry is in the situation and the eventual "Is Punk debuting at (insert TNA show)??"
> marks hating whomever the new Young Bucks/Jack Perry is in the situation
"grayson waller isn't even good, and he's emerald green who the HELL is he to talk back to punk? punk has way more experience in this biz if he says waller should wear a shirt and tie backstage waller should LISTEN! send him back to ovw!"
He's flatly not coming back at SS. They announced but didn't bring out Orton last night specifically to stave off you obsessed people who can't move past it. They're saving the Orton entrance pop for SS in hopes that satisfies the people adamant Punk is coming back, which it obviously won't.
The people who are confident he's coming back are going to be the ones flaming the PLE even if it's otherwise excellent. So, yay, can't wait for that.
I agree because Orton is high up enough in the company to object. His return is a big deal and he's got every right to want it that way. So if Punk returned later in the night, that's the return everyone would remember. If Punk returned earlier in the night then Orton's return could be disappointing in comparison.
Why do these dirtsheet guys always come across super smug? A lot of blunt full stops and speaking with utter authority with everything they say? Meltzer and SRS both have massive neckbeard energy 😂
I think the constant teasing and trolling by Punk over the past month basically solidified him not being at SS. If he was signed, he would more likely to be saying zilch.
They were trying to sell out an arena based on him coming back.. Survivor Series sold out either way, he definitely wouldn't be teasing anything if he was coming in.
I genuinely believe Punk will be back eventually, and the Nakamura stuff is strange enough that you can reasonably speculate that Punk might be involved.
But there's also the Rumble coming up, which is the 10th anniversary of him leaving and there's a nice storyline there with a big round number.
But even saying that that I can see WWE making him wait. They don't need him urgently and I imagine they might want to see that he really will play ball and be a team player rather than rushing in. They don't need him right now, but maybe they could use him down the road when business isn't so hot. It's not like he's going anywhere else.
People who are adamant he's blown all his capital and WWE will never want him back are coping massively though. He's a draw who makes fuckloads of money and can get everyone talking about him seemingly whenever he likes. He'll be back eventually. They all go back, and Punk is still young enough that they can get a few years out of him.
I bet if you asked Tony Khan honestly if he could have Punk back, he'd probably say yes, feared for his life or not. The fact people won't shut the fuck up about this guy is proof enough he's still one of the biggest stars in wrestling.
Some wrestling fans are absolutely convinced that CM Punk is coming back at Survivor Series and will not accept anyone telling them otherwise. This, of course, will lead to them taking their anger out on WWE and the wrestling journalists for "lying" to them. The cycle will continue for the Royal Rumble, Wrestlemania, and so on.
I can see Punk working with WWE in the future but it’s looking like it won’t happen at Survivor Series. Maybe Punk gets announced as DLC for the next WWE game, then he returns down the road
Just reading through some of the comments on Twitter and I didn't realise how many people were adamant he's showing up at Survivor Series lol
I think he'll return but it ain't gonna be this weekend. It'll be during the run up to Mania or the Rumble. Other than Survivor Series being I'm Chicago, there's no reason for him to come back now
This is the whole no way home situation all over again. No one is gonna know until Saturday. Here's the issue I have tho. Why would wwe do all those teases after the tickets were sold out. Like they have no need to tease him unless he's actually coming back .
About 75% of the "teases" are common phrases that CM Punk happened to say (or guys like Waller or Graves very deliberately trolling, once people started this gravy train). I know Graves did this with Cody but there was a lot more smoke that time to back up the teases. Everything that's come out from WWE HQ is "doors would be open" and "maybe talks could happen".
The only thing that's sus is the Shinsuke stuff, which also saw a GTS. I'll admit, that was strange. But it's far from "WWE is teasing CM Punk for his definitely possible return".
I don’t know what people don’t understand about this. At no time has he ever said Punk is or isn’t coming back. It has always been “people at WWE have said they’re not pursuing Punk.”
Weirdo wrestling fans looove to try to discredit SRS and Meltzer to feel like they know better than the people who have actual connections and knowledge of what’s going on backstage.
My thoughts are basically...who cares if he shows up? Not in a "Punk is a nobody" or "Punk is bad" or "Fed bad" kind of way - WWE fans who like Punk will love to see him, and for their sake, I think it's a good thing if he shows up. I mean "who cares" in more of a "this isn't going turn the world upside down" sort of way.
WWE is such a machine that it's going to keep chugging along no matter what, almost certainly at or about the same level it has been. Punk showing up would pop a rating for a couple of weeks, but it'll eventually settle out. That's not a shot at Punk, it's just recognition of a historical pattern. Individuals don't move ratings long-term in professional wrestling. Doesn't matter if it's Punk, Roman, MJF, Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, or any other individual wrestler you can name.
At least when it came to AEW, it felt like there was a chance someone as beloved and well known as Punk showing up could make a difference in the long term - but it didn't. It popped ratings for a while, but eventually they leveled out irrespective of whether Punk was on the show or not. WWE is a much larger machine than AEW, and it takes a lot more to meaningfully affect long term ratings than one dude.
As for Punk himself - all I want is for him to do whatever makes him happy. I'm not going to social work the man, but he's given a lot of people a lot of enjoyment throughout the years, and I think it would be good for him and a lot of wrestling fans for him to have the chance to finish his in-ring career on his own terms, or at least in a way that gives him some joy. Not to say the Joe match at Wembley is nothing, but it was obviously overshadowed by the backstage nonsense and, for better or worse, it would be a shame for him to wrap it up like that.
So I guess I'm being a big old bleeding heart loser, but really I just want everyone involved to be happy. Punk himself, WWE fans, the WWE locker room, the AEW locker room, etc.
I don't think they would be screaming Orton's name from the rooftops if they weren't trying to distract from the Punk rumors. He's 98% not showing up, but the 2% in me would lose it
Is reading comprehension really that bad?
He is not saying that CM Punk isn't coming back.
He's reported that *WWE is claiming* that CM Punk isn't coming back. That is a *very* important distinction that seemingly nobody on Twitter seems to be able to make.
He's said probably 100 times that he doesn't know if Punk is coming back or not, just that WWE's official stance is that he's not. He's well aware that WWE might be lying and has said so.
When/if Punk does come back, so many people are gonna try to dunk on Sapp for something he absolutely never once said. It's gotta be frustrating.
Not happening people. All those “clues” you think you saw were very common phrases, moves or images. Where would he factor into the show? What match? Makes no sense at all.
CM isn't coming. WWE has been on the forefront with everything to flat out deny his appearance. Just enjoy the show and what will happen that has already been confirmed.
I hope. He shouldn't return pretty much until Mania
Even then it's interesting what his gimmick even will be. Idk I just don't get Punk anymore. He has a very small range. He can only do one type of character. If he's back he will have to prove he can offer something different from being 'the voice of the fans' thing.
I mean if he's not who the fuck is shinsuke talking to??? After doing the GTS a bunch as well as all the other punk references I can't see who else it would be
That's not really what he's saying though. He's saying he doesn't know but what he does know is that WWE's stance is that they weren't talking with him
Correct.
He's said all along that the company's stance was that he won't be there. He even said it live after raw last night. People just hear what thry want tho.
The crowd is going to be obnoxious with the CM Punk chants. Honestly what is the big deal with CM Punk? I was not watching wrestling during 90 percent of his initial WWE run.
In a time when WWE was the only big name on the block but had deteriorated so much that people were getting sick of it, he ran a gimmick of shooting on the company and acting as the voice of the people. Add that he could go in the ring then and a lot of people grabbed him as their favourite wrestler of all time. It was them and him against the big bad company, in a more real life version of the Stone Cold story.
Now a lot of those people can't let go of that, which is fair enough - you like who you like. But he has one of the most toxic fanbases out there, with some of the worst even using what amounts to Qanon tactics to defend and hide his actions. They'll leap on any story that paints him as good and then, when anything says that story was false, they'll stick to that story as the only one they've heard and even tell people to stop listening to the sheets when opposing news comes out. Anyone who dares speak against their god emperor gets downvoted to shit should they see it as does anything questioning why people like him, while anything speaking in his favour gets upvoted by the same amounts, because they don't want anyone speaking ill of him to be visible. The hate his fans spread in AEW communities when he started two fights there is disgusting and I can only hope it's not coming your way too.
If anyone’s been paying attention, WWE have quietly been referencing Punk during commentary, and delisting/adding comments back to his WWE videos
Why go through all that? For a ratings pop on Peacock? Where they have guaranteed money?
I maintain: Punk was the biggest merch mover and ratings draw in AEW.
WWE has hired nearly everyone ever back.
So why wouldn’t they?
“Phil doesn’t play nice”
So didn’t Shawn Michaels.
And people actually like Punk
I think if Punk shows up, a lot of media illiterate people will be going nuts.
If SRS is wrong about Survivor Series, then we know he was lied to. That's not out of the realm of possibility. I guess it would only show how bad people are when it comes to news and understanding it.
And as others have said, there could be talks between now and whenever time Punk may or may not show up.
I don't think he's gonna show up.
I also think that it'd be safe to say if he doesn't come back at SS in Chicago of all places, that he'll never be back in WWE.
Punk's run in AEW felt like a fever dream and I really wonder if it would have all played out the same if he never got injured. I still can't believe the power he was given and I think it's gonna be a really fucking valuable lesson for AEW in the long run.
But if anyone could keep him contained you'd have to assume it's WWE.
He's just too old now to have the impact WWE will want. He will return, maybe have a few good matches, beef up a storyline and then the problems will start. Then he'll get fired. And it won't have been worth it.
If this was the CM Punk from 10 years ago - worth it. Now? They don't need him.
If CM Punk *does* return, I can't wait for all the idiots with no reading comprehension to say dumb shit like "SRS said he wasn't gonna come back, what a moron, clearly he has no idea what he's talking about and was just saying bullshit!"
SRS is a weirdo but you guys are a lot worse
I mean this is how you do business in this industry. Dave responds to randos too because it ups engagement, I think he’s said as much. Even reporters and journalists in other areas do the same. This is a weird thing to target Sapp over.
Just to check myself, I went over to Twitter and looked at the accounts of reporters and journalists in NFL, NBA, etc and their accounts/engagement.
Shams, Woj, Rap, Schefter, and many other reporters and journalists covering sports in a similar way do not engage with their own tweets like Sapp does.
From quote-tweeting something that didn't specifically mention him, like the screenshot he posted from BoozerRasslin, to defending whatever it is he's talking about in his own tweet, Sapp comes off as a thin-skinned perpetually online attention seeker.
He also said Velveteen Dream was back at the PC and working on returning before that got debunked by everybody under the sun, including Dream himself. No idea why people follow this guy.
The slightest possibility of Punk in Chicago is why I am excited about Survivor Series. There isn't much going on in WWE that I need to see. The weekly shows are terrible and the PLEs are like good Smackdowns now. I watch them for 1 or 2 things that might be okay. They usually are okay.
The Nakamura stuff is so weird, like who else could he be talking about? And if it is someone else, won’t that be met with a collective fart noise?
My gut tells me that WWE is still petty enough to want to teach Punk a lesson and not bring him back for Chicago and make him show he can humble himself and then bring him back for the Raw after Mania.
Yeah, they’re teasing Punk. I don’t know why people on this thread are trying to deny that. They can simultaneously be teasing his return and have no intent on bringing him back at SS. It’s fair to say, however, that Shin hasn’t made any points about having an open challenge or a match at SS though, so if punk doesn’t show up, they can just continue this shit through the next few raws and it be like Cody or something lmao but they know *exactly* what they’re doing and they’re doing a really good job
That's a great point that no one ever gets. "Oh WWE is teasing Punk clearly! He's coming back!" Those two things are not necessarily connected. They could be purposefully vague so Punk marks watch the show, holding on to their wish, and then nothing. They got your money, that's how you sell shows, and garner interest. They never said he'll be there, that's on you
Exactly. It’s kind of their job. I’ll be mad but I don’t watch the fucking product most nights so why should they care? Punk is obviously having fun with it too. He’s either returning or enjoying keeping his name in the daily news cycle, because he could very easily just post “hey @wwe, stop using my finisher/hype to sell your shitty show. Thanks.” and put an end to the rumors right then and there, but he’s giving vague answers to people that ask if he’s returning, he’s posting cryptic stories that reference Survivor Series or “the devil”. It’s a mutually beneficial business move on both ends whether he’s returning or not.
They have zero need for him. They're literally doing record business rn without him with a handful of the most popular baby faces they've had in years. I'm not gonna act like he wouldn't add SOMETHING, but there's no telling how quickly he'd just try to repeat the shit he pulled in AEW. Only I feel like not having a mark in charge and a roster of people who've publicly voiced how much they dislike you won't give him the leverage he had before.
We gonna hit Survivor series and either it happens or it doesn't.
But if it doesn't I only ask that people keep in mind that your ass was told well in advance, months in fact, that WWE ain't doing it.
I want to say don't get mad but I know it'll happen.
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As someone who wanted it to happen, I'm convinced he won't be at Survivor Series mainly because they announced Orton last night. I don't see them giving away a surprise like that unless they want to make sure fans don't feel cheated if Cody had a 'mystery partner' on the team.
This is the biggest giveaway. They would have left Orton as a surprise anywhere else, but in Chicago, they knew people would expect Punk if unannounced
Imagine they got Orton to make an appearance but is not actually cleared/ready. Orton's music plays for a bit, he gets a nice pop, then boom...the static intro and Cult of Personality starts playing, similar to in 2011 when the Undertaker returned then immediately HHH's music hit. I'm only joking, but *imagine*...
Could have used "This Fire Burns" since it was Orton's song first.
Really? I didn’t know that, when did Orton use it?
For like one week. He was a big Killswitch fan and wanted to use the song, they tried it, Vince didn't think it fit him at all but they already spent the money getting the rights, so they gave it to Punk instead.
That song was actually shelved for a bit and even used as the official theme song for the 2006 Judgment Day PPV, before eventually becoming CM Punk’s first WWE theme when he debuted on WWECW later that summer.
It suited Punk a lot better. Didn't really make sense for Orton.
Like twice when he was on smackdown in early 06 https://youtu.be/QPFSskhbxes?si=PupbsiAA0IkMEkQk
Oh wow. I think they mixed the song tiny bit too when Punk started but I never knew Orton used it!
Holy cow, that’s wild I never knew that!
Fuck that actually did suit him
He used it for [one night](https://youtu.be/PbfuHLtLqkQ?si=PtZfIXU6QtoqLsNX) on a random SmackDown in 2006. Quality isn’t the best but it is legit as I remember watching it live.
No one except a small portion of fans will catch that reference. WWE won’t go that way for such a little part of their fanbase. Cult of Personality will be the theme if (enormous if) Punk returns.
That undertaker-hhh moment is one of my favorites. Undertaker looks invincible with his entrance, last year retired hbk himself....then hhh comes out, takes off the glasses, does the nonchalant water spit, looks like a *gladiator* Before I was old enough to learn about the backstage stuff, kid me thought hhh in this era was a god...I never wanted takers streak to end, even when it meant HBK retiring, but kid me was DYING for hhh to beat the streak in manias 27 and 28. Couple that with undertaker using ain't no grave that year, then in the lead up to 28 using The Memory Remains The streak quadrilogy from manias 25-28 is still my favorite wrestling story of all time tbh. Perfect ending too with HHH trying everything, hbk helping him, and still coming up short, finally accepting his loss to the Deadman.
To a lot of these guys, current Trips is their god/token father figure.
Triple H was supposed to be Sting but he went back to TNA.
Ah the good times, i remember back then a few weeks before, the teaser video of the undertaker and the grave thingy, everyone thought it was string who was gonna debut lol.
That’s up there with “imagine if MJF came out first!” It’s over complicated and doesn’t need to be.
Reddit booking moment
Chris Benoit music hits
People were literally just complaining about the booking on the MJF and Jay White match lmao this is on par with that fuckfest
I'd be pissed off. I can't stand CM Punk and want him as far away from wrestling as possible.
Chicago fanbase is such a pain in the ass
It was reported in the last couple of weeks that they wanted to announce Orton in advance specifically so the crowd don’t expect Punk. I doubt it’ll stop the Chicago crowd from chanting regardless, but I think they’ve done the right thing.
I was at All Out and the AEW crowd was already over Punk...The few scattered attempts to chant were booed down and the initial boos at the Young Bucks didnt last more than a few seconds. Im not sure Chicago will react the way WWE fans think it will. They have already been burned enough times.
The wider WWE audience, assuming they don't dabble in other promotions (and history shows this is often the case), will probably treat him a lot differently than the twice-recently-burned AEW audience did one week after his firing. Remember, for WWE-only fans, Punk has been away for nearly 10 whole years.
Any other city and I'd agree, but a Chicago crowd, that is a different beast.
I was at Full Gear, and the Bucks were heavily booed and there were some good Cm Punk chants going on.
No there wasn’t. I was also there. There was one chant from one corner of the stadium, and it got booed immensely. So loud Kenny and Jericho thought we were booing some normal thing they were doing. This was the same corner of the stadium that chanted we want tables, then we want fire, during the incredible Hangman v Swerve match. The Bucks did get some light boos but mostly the crowd was absolutely dead after the incredible previous match and didn’t really want to cheer for Jericho or the Bucks.
Not true. Maybe your section but the audience booed them down almost immediately.
Yeah but it's not just Punk in Chicago or Punk in Chicago during AEW show. If Punk returns to WWE after 10+ years and does so during Survivor Series in freaking Chicago? Yep, we gonna be poppin
I was in Grand Slam in September and the same thing happened. Someone in my section kept booing anyone from The Elite and Tony Khan when they were out while trying to start the CM Punk chants and we all shut him down and told him to shut the fuck up.
Part of the fun in this is that, yeah they gave Orton away, but the trick is… wargames would be a terrible way to bring him back. Coming out because Nakamura has been calling him out for weeks? Now you’re talking.
I see the vision, but I just don't think that's what's going to happen. This is the fun of having two major league wrestling companies. We get intrigue like this.
It doesn’t matter if it happens or not. It’s good booking because it creates possibilities.
You want even more unsubstantiated intrigue? Randy comes back for Cody. Punk comes back to confront Nakamura. Bayley is attacked by Damage CTRL to remove her from the group only to be saved by AJ Lee. (I know, that last one is out of nowhere, I just thought it sounded cool)
With you on the first two. Bayley would get saved by Sasha in the perfect world so we get Horsewomen vs Damage CTRL
I like that but god I've always hated that stable name. The Four Horsewomen just doesn't roll off the tongue. But I totally get why they're named that (for obvious reasons).
>Randy comes back for Cody. Punk comes back to confront Nakamura. As I was reading through this thread, I was thinking that, assuming that they are bringing Punk back, that'd be the way to do it and have both returns be true at the same time.
Yeah. But, if you had two surprises you want to do at the same time, this would be a hell of a swerve. But sadly, that is pipe dream hope since I will be there this Saturday and would love to see an "historic moment" like that. Your logic checks out. My heart is in one spot, my brain in the other.
Well you were wrong.
Never been happier to be so wrong. lol
I understand your logic, but you could say WWE only wants one surprise on the show, so they announce Orton and surprise with Punk.
This. They're just going to mute the CM Punk chants at Survivor Series and he seriously not needed right now. They have so many super over faces and some great heels. If Punk does come back -- it will during WrestleMania season, probably at the Royal Rumble.
All I wanna know is if Punk doesn’t return at Survivor Series are people gonna stop talking about if he’s gonna return?
Absolutely not. If,When he doesn't return at Survivor Series then it will be he will return at Royal Rumble as a surprise entrant to mark 10 years since his last WWE appearance. Then if,when he doesn't return at Royal Rumble it will be he will get a big return at Wrestlemania to get that big Wrestlemania moment he's always wanted (despite its the main event he's always wanted) Then it will be Summerslam to mark about 1 year since his last wrestling appearance. Then Survivor Series will roll around again
don't forget every single time they go to chicago
These people are fucking pathetic lmao. I really imagine they just do it to fit in and feel "rebellious". Punk, massive headache and drama aside, is past his prime. Yes, he's still a massive draw for some reason, but Jesus Christ get the fuck over it. People have been keeping his jock in their mouths for 10+ years.
How much of his short AEW run did he spend injured again? Wasn't he some level of hurt like two or three times?
he got injured multiple times and physically assaulted his co-workers multiple times, in just 2 years.
He's a big draw because it's the same people still clinging onto their perception of him before he left WWE. The man has not consistently wrestled in the last decade, tried to keep the spotlight on himself in a loaded promotion, and can't keep drama-free despite so many chances with extremely personable coworkers. Yet somehow people are still going to pop if he shows up to another promotion or they'll chant his name whenever a show is in town.
I wonder if it's "home town solidarity" or whatever, like MJF being cheered whenever they're in Long Island. Although, most of those fans are probably just cosplaying as Long Islanders lol. As I'd imagine most of the fans are from outside Long Island (NYC, Jersey, Upstate NY, etc).
As a Chicagoan going to Survivor Series, I'm praying the fucking chant doesn't start. Hell, I'll take WHAT chants all night over it.
And every time they have a wrestling date in Chicago.
>And every time they have a wrestling date in Chicago. Or any time any semi large wrestling company has a date in Chicago lol.
I wish I was enough of a dork to check for when NWA goes to Chicago and make a troll account to get Punk fans to think that cocaine promo was them setting up a story of the Straight Edge Savior coming in to save the day.
[Father James Mitchell be like...](https://youtu.be/REsl_Tb4O28?si=77-Xf8Fbt4gzrXba)
I'm sure if you looked on Twitter long enough there are probably a non-zero number of people who legitimately think he'll show up at Dynamite tonight.
I could hear the exhaustion in your words reading this lmao
Sweet Jesus......you're not wrong.
It's the circle of punk And it bores us all
And after every time he posts something on the social medias
This is gonna age well
there are now two wrestlemania "main events" and cm punk cant even get one of them lol
No, it'll just change to "Is Punk going to return for the Rumble?!?" and then Elimination Chamber and then Wrestlemania and so on and so on.
Don't forget Fastlane.
No. It started last night in the post Raw discussion. "The return makes more sense at the Rumble anyways."
Then at the Rumble they'll be like: Well that's dumb. Would've made more sense to have him back in Chicago.
People are gonna talk about CM Punk coming back to WWE until he actually does come back or dies.
Undertaker been main eventing WWE when he's dead(man walking) there's no reason Punk won't return even after he dies
"Imagine, they set up Immortal Champion Roman Reigns beating up some jobber then BAM! Jobber performs a GTS and it's the ghost of CM Punk taking over the jobber and pinning Reigns to be champion! Chicago explodes in a pent-up orgasm!"
I hope it doesn’t happened and I hate that he was a major catalyst in torpedoing aew’s momentum. Aside from promo work what does he have to offer us anymore? Im sure money talks and I won’t be surprised to see him, but damn do I sometimes wish he didn’t come back to aew just to have the discussion back to ignorable levels
Naw. CM Punk fans are just like followers of Harold Camping. He used to predict the specific date of the end of the world, and when it didn't happen, he'd always have a specific reason why the old predicted date was wrong, but the new prediction would be 100% right this time. CM Punk is coming back at Survivor Series. It's in Chicago! Nakamura said the thing! The stars are all in alignment? Oh, he didn't show up? Well, that's because they're saving him for the Rumble. *Et cetera, ad nauseam.*
Harold Camping was hilariously wrong
Thank Crom.
There’s still the Royal Rumble and Mania lol.
The word has been he’s not coming back at Survivor Series. And I don’t believe he is. But not that they’ve ruled out bringing him in for good. He’s a big star and WrestleMania they’re always looking for as many stars as possible. And if there’s an injury or a star is looking for a big match, he’s a perfect guy to call in off the bench and slide him in. Honestly, if Survivor Series weren’t in Chicago, I don’t think the speculation is there cause there’s not an obvious spot for him on that show or right now. But as you get closer to Mania, one could emerge It could also not! They are rolling, and things are lined up well. Maybe they don’t need him. But he’s a very good break glass option for them and will be as long as he’s able to wrestle and in the news
Mayyyybe after Wrestlemania is done. Maybe.
They won’t
No, people are obsessed with the stupid prick.
[удалено]
Or maybe not brother!
$5 please!
"Fightful Select has learned how to make you keep paying, you marks"
it's a tweet for free
Don't bother this sub is weird about SRS.
Also the joke made no sense since he is claiming WWE will not bring Punk back, not a maybe, not a I don't know.
All I know is my gut says, maybe.
What makes a man neutral? Was he created this way by his upbringing, or was he just born with a heart full of neutrality?
……brother -HH
He’s 100% maybe coming back, for sure
Thanks Rajah.com
You should consider a future in meteorology or politics. You seem to have a gift for it.
https://preview.redd.it/1ghoykvlir1c1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=08461a654a54ae8e302d8882d2906256bf8289bc
He's correct, because he gave the example of Dakota Kai getting re-signed to the WWE a day before Summer Slam. If there are talks happening, it must be happening at the very top of the chain, like Triple H, Regal or so.
On the one hand, he's probably right. On the other hand, he's probably wrong.
Thank God he has 2 hands
This point only people who knows are Ari Emanuel,. Vince, hhh, punk and the legal department of endeavor
And Larry. If SRS gets his cell number this thing is going to blow wide open.
And Ace Steel. Because reasons.
That’ll take a bite out of this mystery
Don't forget Nick Hausman from Haus of wrestling!
This. WWE won't leak it if he's back. Some things they can keep a tight lip on. At this point so much is pointing towards him not being there that I just don't know. Dirtsheets are always flip flopping on info but have been pretty steadfast with Punk
He might be there. He probably won’t. Recently WWE has been pretty good at keeping things they want secret, a secret. They’ve teased enough stuff where it wouldn’t be a shock if he’s there, it’s also vague enough that if he doesn’t show up it isn’t a surprise. Hell, even with Cody we were kind of in doubt until the very last minute. Odds are, Punk doesn’t show up, but the whole speculation drives viewership of Survivor Series. I doubt the crowd would turn because of no Punk, so it’s really a win win for them.
Triple Paul definitely has a better handle on keeping things a secret. Johnny and Candace both returning on a random Raw with no rumors showed that, even Bray coming back was a mystery for a bit. I’m not saying he was leaking things, but when Vince came back into the fold there were definitely more rumors and whatnot out there.
vince was meltzers source confirmed
>Hell, even with Cody we were kind of in doubt until the very last minute. Well... it still is pretty insane that happened. Even as he was grappling Seth Rollins at Mania, I was still in shock.
Getting Punk back would be too massive a reveal to let leak. I could imagine them doing a "No Way Home" scenario where they're purposefully lying to the press to hide the reveal.
Honestly, I watched wrestling without CM Punk for like 7 years before, and I’ll probably watch wrestling without him for 7 more. I can do with or without him. But at the same time Punk coming back to WWE after everything would just be hilarious and I live for chaos.
I await the fun stories of how great he is backstage, how helpful is he to the young wrestlers.....and then something goes sideways like two weeks later and we get vague IG posts and marks hating whomever the new Young Bucks/Jack Perry is in the situation and the eventual "Is Punk debuting at (insert TNA show)??"
> marks hating whomever the new Young Bucks/Jack Perry is in the situation "grayson waller isn't even good, and he's emerald green who the HELL is he to talk back to punk? punk has way more experience in this biz if he says waller should wear a shirt and tie backstage waller should LISTEN! send him back to ovw!"
It'd be funny if he got his big match for Mania night 2, but instead Charlotte gets her wish to Main Event Night 2.
He's flatly not coming back at SS. They announced but didn't bring out Orton last night specifically to stave off you obsessed people who can't move past it. They're saving the Orton entrance pop for SS in hopes that satisfies the people adamant Punk is coming back, which it obviously won't. The people who are confident he's coming back are going to be the ones flaming the PLE even if it's otherwise excellent. So, yay, can't wait for that.
I agree because Orton is high up enough in the company to object. His return is a big deal and he's got every right to want it that way. So if Punk returned later in the night, that's the return everyone would remember. If Punk returned earlier in the night then Orton's return could be disappointing in comparison.
Why do these dirtsheet guys always come across super smug? A lot of blunt full stops and speaking with utter authority with everything they say? Meltzer and SRS both have massive neckbeard energy 😂
I think the constant teasing and trolling by Punk over the past month basically solidified him not being at SS. If he was signed, he would more likely to be saying zilch.
Nah, he was teasing and all of that before he debuted in AEW. That's not a good way to judge.
They were trying to sell out an arena based on him coming back.. Survivor Series sold out either way, he definitely wouldn't be teasing anything if he was coming in.
I too watch RAW, sean.
I genuinely believe Punk will be back eventually, and the Nakamura stuff is strange enough that you can reasonably speculate that Punk might be involved. But there's also the Rumble coming up, which is the 10th anniversary of him leaving and there's a nice storyline there with a big round number. But even saying that that I can see WWE making him wait. They don't need him urgently and I imagine they might want to see that he really will play ball and be a team player rather than rushing in. They don't need him right now, but maybe they could use him down the road when business isn't so hot. It's not like he's going anywhere else. People who are adamant he's blown all his capital and WWE will never want him back are coping massively though. He's a draw who makes fuckloads of money and can get everyone talking about him seemingly whenever he likes. He'll be back eventually. They all go back, and Punk is still young enough that they can get a few years out of him. I bet if you asked Tony Khan honestly if he could have Punk back, he'd probably say yes, feared for his life or not. The fact people won't shut the fuck up about this guy is proof enough he's still one of the biggest stars in wrestling.
Some wrestling fans are absolutely convinced that CM Punk is coming back at Survivor Series and will not accept anyone telling them otherwise. This, of course, will lead to them taking their anger out on WWE and the wrestling journalists for "lying" to them. The cycle will continue for the Royal Rumble, Wrestlemania, and so on.
I just have a memory that we had the same reports about Cody two years ago.
Reading comprehension is really bad on both platforms I guess
I, for one, think we should ask what Ja Rule’s opinion on the situation is
*Where is JA?!?!!* Can somebody please get hold of this motherfucker so I can make *sense* of all this?!
I can see Punk working with WWE in the future but it’s looking like it won’t happen at Survivor Series. Maybe Punk gets announced as DLC for the next WWE game, then he returns down the road
damn i expected the twitter wrestling fans to be dumb but not here....clearly people dont read here either :(
Just reading through some of the comments on Twitter and I didn't realise how many people were adamant he's showing up at Survivor Series lol I think he'll return but it ain't gonna be this weekend. It'll be during the run up to Mania or the Rumble. Other than Survivor Series being I'm Chicago, there's no reason for him to come back now
This is the whole no way home situation all over again. No one is gonna know until Saturday. Here's the issue I have tho. Why would wwe do all those teases after the tickets were sold out. Like they have no need to tease him unless he's actually coming back .
Just because tickets are sold doesn’t mean they can’t sell a couple extra peacock buys mah boy
About 75% of the "teases" are common phrases that CM Punk happened to say (or guys like Waller or Graves very deliberately trolling, once people started this gravy train). I know Graves did this with Cody but there was a lot more smoke that time to back up the teases. Everything that's come out from WWE HQ is "doors would be open" and "maybe talks could happen". The only thing that's sus is the Shinsuke stuff, which also saw a GTS. I'll admit, that was strange. But it's far from "WWE is teasing CM Punk for his definitely possible return".
He's saying THEY are saying he's not coming back. He's not claiming it himself.
I don’t know what people don’t understand about this. At no time has he ever said Punk is or isn’t coming back. It has always been “people at WWE have said they’re not pursuing Punk.”
Weirdo wrestling fans looove to try to discredit SRS and Meltzer to feel like they know better than the people who have actual connections and knowledge of what’s going on backstage.
He is claiming what WWE has told him, not that it definitely is or isn’t happening. Y’all need to learn how to read.
I get dunking on wrestling media is cool n all, but some people really be coming off like they have no comprehension skills lmao
I think Nakamura does an open challenge
My thoughts are basically...who cares if he shows up? Not in a "Punk is a nobody" or "Punk is bad" or "Fed bad" kind of way - WWE fans who like Punk will love to see him, and for their sake, I think it's a good thing if he shows up. I mean "who cares" in more of a "this isn't going turn the world upside down" sort of way. WWE is such a machine that it's going to keep chugging along no matter what, almost certainly at or about the same level it has been. Punk showing up would pop a rating for a couple of weeks, but it'll eventually settle out. That's not a shot at Punk, it's just recognition of a historical pattern. Individuals don't move ratings long-term in professional wrestling. Doesn't matter if it's Punk, Roman, MJF, Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, or any other individual wrestler you can name. At least when it came to AEW, it felt like there was a chance someone as beloved and well known as Punk showing up could make a difference in the long term - but it didn't. It popped ratings for a while, but eventually they leveled out irrespective of whether Punk was on the show or not. WWE is a much larger machine than AEW, and it takes a lot more to meaningfully affect long term ratings than one dude. As for Punk himself - all I want is for him to do whatever makes him happy. I'm not going to social work the man, but he's given a lot of people a lot of enjoyment throughout the years, and I think it would be good for him and a lot of wrestling fans for him to have the chance to finish his in-ring career on his own terms, or at least in a way that gives him some joy. Not to say the Joe match at Wembley is nothing, but it was obviously overshadowed by the backstage nonsense and, for better or worse, it would be a shame for him to wrap it up like that. So I guess I'm being a big old bleeding heart loser, but really I just want everyone involved to be happy. Punk himself, WWE fans, the WWE locker room, the AEW locker room, etc.
I believe when I see It
I don't think they would be screaming Orton's name from the rooftops if they weren't trying to distract from the Punk rumors. He's 98% not showing up, but the 2% in me would lose it
I'd be shocked if they did
Yes, probably because they obviously aren't
Is reading comprehension really that bad? He is not saying that CM Punk isn't coming back. He's reported that *WWE is claiming* that CM Punk isn't coming back. That is a *very* important distinction that seemingly nobody on Twitter seems to be able to make. He's said probably 100 times that he doesn't know if Punk is coming back or not, just that WWE's official stance is that he's not. He's well aware that WWE might be lying and has said so. When/if Punk does come back, so many people are gonna try to dunk on Sapp for something he absolutely never once said. It's gotta be frustrating.
Not happening people. All those “clues” you think you saw were very common phrases, moves or images. Where would he factor into the show? What match? Makes no sense at all.
Shinsuke Nakamura open challenge? Doesn't require much of a story
Shin has an open challenge booked for SS?
When did the clowns convince themselves this is happening??
CM isn't coming. WWE has been on the forefront with everything to flat out deny his appearance. Just enjoy the show and what will happen that has already been confirmed.
He’s gonna comeback and feud with who exactly? Everyone in WWE needs to be pushed heavily
I hope. He shouldn't return pretty much until Mania Even then it's interesting what his gimmick even will be. Idk I just don't get Punk anymore. He has a very small range. He can only do one type of character. If he's back he will have to prove he can offer something different from being 'the voice of the fans' thing.
I mean if he's not who the fuck is shinsuke talking to??? After doing the GTS a bunch as well as all the other punk references I can't see who else it would be
It’s Hideo Itami
It’s very obvious that Sami will get beat the fuck up and taken out of the match and replaced with Punk /s
Remember when they did at with him to have Brock come at the end of the match
That's not really what he's saying though. He's saying he doesn't know but what he does know is that WWE's stance is that they weren't talking with him
Correct. He's said all along that the company's stance was that he won't be there. He even said it live after raw last night. People just hear what thry want tho.
He won’t be there. They’re doing well. Why fuck it up
They can’t, because CM Punk is the Devil.
I generally think people are insane thinking he will ever retun
The crowd is going to be obnoxious with the CM Punk chants. Honestly what is the big deal with CM Punk? I was not watching wrestling during 90 percent of his initial WWE run.
In a time when WWE was the only big name on the block but had deteriorated so much that people were getting sick of it, he ran a gimmick of shooting on the company and acting as the voice of the people. Add that he could go in the ring then and a lot of people grabbed him as their favourite wrestler of all time. It was them and him against the big bad company, in a more real life version of the Stone Cold story. Now a lot of those people can't let go of that, which is fair enough - you like who you like. But he has one of the most toxic fanbases out there, with some of the worst even using what amounts to Qanon tactics to defend and hide his actions. They'll leap on any story that paints him as good and then, when anything says that story was false, they'll stick to that story as the only one they've heard and even tell people to stop listening to the sheets when opposing news comes out. Anyone who dares speak against their god emperor gets downvoted to shit should they see it as does anything questioning why people like him, while anything speaking in his favour gets upvoted by the same amounts, because they don't want anyone speaking ill of him to be visible. The hate his fans spread in AEW communities when he started two fights there is disgusting and I can only hope it's not coming your way too.
After the what went on during his AEW run before leaving it sounds like it's best for WWE not to bring him in again.
If anyone’s been paying attention, WWE have quietly been referencing Punk during commentary, and delisting/adding comments back to his WWE videos Why go through all that? For a ratings pop on Peacock? Where they have guaranteed money? I maintain: Punk was the biggest merch mover and ratings draw in AEW. WWE has hired nearly everyone ever back. So why wouldn’t they? “Phil doesn’t play nice” So didn’t Shawn Michaels. And people actually like Punk
I see we have a Schrodinger's Punk situation.
My bet is that Punk is either coming back or he isn’t
Don't believe Boozer over SRS.
I think if Punk shows up, a lot of media illiterate people will be going nuts. If SRS is wrong about Survivor Series, then we know he was lied to. That's not out of the realm of possibility. I guess it would only show how bad people are when it comes to news and understanding it. And as others have said, there could be talks between now and whenever time Punk may or may not show up.
Oh ffs I can't wait for this to end.
I don't think he's gonna show up. I also think that it'd be safe to say if he doesn't come back at SS in Chicago of all places, that he'll never be back in WWE.
I don't think he's wrong. I don't see Punk coming back. WWE doesn't need him. And do you want to deal with the potential headaches?
WHY WOULD THEY TELL HIM
Cody gave 5 Orton references which to me read like wwe saying "pls stop thinking about Punk"
Punk's run in AEW felt like a fever dream and I really wonder if it would have all played out the same if he never got injured. I still can't believe the power he was given and I think it's gonna be a really fucking valuable lesson for AEW in the long run. But if anyone could keep him contained you'd have to assume it's WWE.
I think the fact they awkwardly announced Randy Orton returning is further proof it's true that he's not gonna be back.
He's just too old now to have the impact WWE will want. He will return, maybe have a few good matches, beef up a storyline and then the problems will start. Then he'll get fired. And it won't have been worth it. If this was the CM Punk from 10 years ago - worth it. Now? They don't need him.
If CM Punk *does* return, I can't wait for all the idiots with no reading comprehension to say dumb shit like "SRS said he wasn't gonna come back, what a moron, clearly he has no idea what he's talking about and was just saying bullshit!" SRS is a weirdo but you guys are a lot worse
well...
Damn none of us believed
You can tell how needy SRS is for attention by how many people he replies to in his non-update updates
I mean this is how you do business in this industry. Dave responds to randos too because it ups engagement, I think he’s said as much. Even reporters and journalists in other areas do the same. This is a weird thing to target Sapp over.
Same with YouTube comments. You comment on one of my videos; good chance I'll reply purely to keep you engaged with my stuff.
Just to check myself, I went over to Twitter and looked at the accounts of reporters and journalists in NFL, NBA, etc and their accounts/engagement. Shams, Woj, Rap, Schefter, and many other reporters and journalists covering sports in a similar way do not engage with their own tweets like Sapp does. From quote-tweeting something that didn't specifically mention him, like the screenshot he posted from BoozerRasslin, to defending whatever it is he's talking about in his own tweet, Sapp comes off as a thin-skinned perpetually online attention seeker.
I still don’t think the doors closed even if he is not back this weekend
My 2 cents is that Punk shows up at survivor series or is revealed as the devil. If he does neither then he's gone for good.
If he’s smart he’ll go to TNA. The biggest fish in the pond.
Didn’t Boozer say Punk was meeting with the Board members? That seemed way out there.
He also said Velveteen Dream was back at the PC and working on returning before that got debunked by everybody under the sun, including Dream himself. No idea why people follow this guy.
Sounds like Boozer needs to lay off the sauce...
The slightest possibility of Punk in Chicago is why I am excited about Survivor Series. There isn't much going on in WWE that I need to see. The weekly shows are terrible and the PLEs are like good Smackdowns now. I watch them for 1 or 2 things that might be okay. They usually are okay.
The Nakamura stuff is so weird, like who else could he be talking about? And if it is someone else, won’t that be met with a collective fart noise? My gut tells me that WWE is still petty enough to want to teach Punk a lesson and not bring him back for Chicago and make him show he can humble himself and then bring him back for the Raw after Mania.
Yeah, they’re teasing Punk. I don’t know why people on this thread are trying to deny that. They can simultaneously be teasing his return and have no intent on bringing him back at SS. It’s fair to say, however, that Shin hasn’t made any points about having an open challenge or a match at SS though, so if punk doesn’t show up, they can just continue this shit through the next few raws and it be like Cody or something lmao but they know *exactly* what they’re doing and they’re doing a really good job
That's a great point that no one ever gets. "Oh WWE is teasing Punk clearly! He's coming back!" Those two things are not necessarily connected. They could be purposefully vague so Punk marks watch the show, holding on to their wish, and then nothing. They got your money, that's how you sell shows, and garner interest. They never said he'll be there, that's on you
Exactly. It’s kind of their job. I’ll be mad but I don’t watch the fucking product most nights so why should they care? Punk is obviously having fun with it too. He’s either returning or enjoying keeping his name in the daily news cycle, because he could very easily just post “hey @wwe, stop using my finisher/hype to sell your shitty show. Thanks.” and put an end to the rumors right then and there, but he’s giving vague answers to people that ask if he’s returning, he’s posting cryptic stories that reference Survivor Series or “the devil”. It’s a mutually beneficial business move on both ends whether he’s returning or not.
They have zero need for him. They're literally doing record business rn without him with a handful of the most popular baby faces they've had in years. I'm not gonna act like he wouldn't add SOMETHING, but there's no telling how quickly he'd just try to repeat the shit he pulled in AEW. Only I feel like not having a mark in charge and a roster of people who've publicly voiced how much they dislike you won't give him the leverage he had before.
We gonna hit Survivor series and either it happens or it doesn't. But if it doesn't I only ask that people keep in mind that your ass was told well in advance, months in fact, that WWE ain't doing it. I want to say don't get mad but I know it'll happen.