Text Q&A about the CM Punk story
Added 2023-10-10 22:23:36 +0000 UTCTo battle some misinformation, I wanted to do a text based Q&A regarding CM Punk and our story. Ask away
To clear some things up --
- This information procured was unprompted. In these situations, the sources (higher ups in WWE) are not in the business of working media -- that is not productive for either side. Quite literally, it has never been a thing we've experienced. They'd simply not reach out or respond instead.
- We were outright told that they didn't want unrealistic expectations for Survivor Series.
- To answer the question "why would they spill to a dirt sheet writer and spoil the surprise!?" They wouldn't. They also wouldn't debunk things that they knew were setting unrealistic expectations. This happened with Bray Wyatt's constant rumored returns in the spring, and Randy Orton's rumored return at Summerslam.
- CM Punk isn't signed, and both higher ups in WWE who would absolutely know, and those close to Punk say that they are not in negotiations as of now.
- Talent have unanimously been told that WWE is not working on a Punk return as of now. This includes some that have made references to Punk on air.
- I do not know what Dave Meltzer reported, and didn't say it was wrong, contrary to what someone on the board said.
- We do not know if there's an NDA or non compete clause.
Comments
Appreciate the info you provide on a daily basis!
Kieran Smith
2023-10-11 17:12:03 +0000 UTCSRS has already publicly shut down BWE's credibility multiple times.
Viper51210
2023-10-11 03:47:09 +0000 UTCCommentary saying that Jay white is the ture Aew world champion was was the plans for Punk to face mjf at full gear
Mac Gomez
2023-10-11 01:09:15 +0000 UTCSo wwe would of course say there is no contact but is there any word of a non-compete start/end dates maybe we can lineup a "talks starting " date scenario ?
alexianjaylasdaddy
2023-10-11 01:03:23 +0000 UTCNo and you dont know if he has a non compete
Fightful Select
2023-10-11 01:00:31 +0000 UTCHe already does commentary on a fight pass show
Fightful Select
2023-10-11 01:00:24 +0000 UTCCould be!
Fightful Select
2023-10-11 01:00:11 +0000 UTCNope. They have no say
Fightful Select
2023-10-11 01:00:07 +0000 UTCSignificantly less
Fightful Select
2023-10-11 00:59:59 +0000 UTCit's in the article
Fightful Select
2023-10-11 00:59:42 +0000 UTCIf they're a big time player like Rollins or reigns, they have a voice they can use
Flameducky
2023-10-11 00:18:11 +0000 UTCSo those little hints WWE has done like the GTS isn’t hinting at a return? Why would they do those moves otherwise?
Mark D
2023-10-11 00:01:57 +0000 UTCWhat would you think the chances of him appearing in the Royal Rumble are if not at SS? Thanks for all the clarification and what you do, Sean!
Amber
2023-10-10 23:46:06 +0000 UTCSo, basically, they confirm small parts of stories, to where rumors get hot, but never confirm or deny anything that would lead to it being spoiled?
Skyler Rains
2023-10-10 23:37:48 +0000 UTCSean you may answer or you maybe you haven’t but question what percentage would you give punk in wwe because yesterday you said 50/50 on the raw post show just curious my friend
Jonathan Corona
2023-10-10 23:35:54 +0000 UTCIs FOX still interested in WWE going after Punk?
Alex W
2023-10-10 23:33:39 +0000 UTCBWE knows nothing compared to SRS
Chris Ferrell
2023-10-10 23:25:41 +0000 UTCthe issue is Punk was behind alot of the leaking to the sheets. Essentially anything Hausman said came from Punk
Matty Nice
2023-10-10 23:17:07 +0000 UTCCould Punk saying he has a couple months off on that announcing gig be his non compete which would tie into tampering? Maybe how when edge left wwe and "only had a short time" after his contract running out to "talk" to aew ?
alexianjaylasdaddy
2023-10-10 23:09:28 +0000 UTCHow likely is it Punk signs with TKO in a UFC capacity?
Wilbae
2023-10-10 23:04:45 +0000 UTCHypothetically, based on what you know about contracts in the sports and wrestling world, if they did decide at a later point he is worth the risk, how far could they, or any other promotion for that matter, go with a clause regarding his behavior and what he can and cannot say about WWE, other wrestlers, AEW, etc? I know it’s not unheard of to have morality clauses but anyone that would take him on would have to do some C.Y.A beforehand, or at least theyd be smart to.
Alice Hoffman
2023-10-10 23:00:48 +0000 UTCCan a company negotiate publicly with talent during a non compete?
Edgar M.
2023-10-10 22:57:32 +0000 UTCWould talent within WWE being opposed to singing Punk be enough for them to not consider it, or would that not be a priority?
Zoë
2023-10-10 22:56:18 +0000 UTCWhy havent wwe told talent and commentators to stop making references if theyre that worried it will be misconstrued? Corey, michael, and many talent have made references
Channel 100
2023-10-10 22:56:16 +0000 UTCPerhaps. They have absolutely been told talks aren't happening right now
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:55:12 +0000 UTCIf I start a rumor that CM Punk is gonna re start CYN could yall help a brother out and says its real? Yall can say it's fake later if yall want.
Landon '3½ inches is big enough' Gossett
2023-10-10 22:54:45 +0000 UTCTalent
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:52:28 +0000 UTCNJPW or indies
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:52:16 +0000 UTCThey don't seem to think so
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:52:07 +0000 UTCNowhere near the same. Cody was expected to go to WWE before the announcement he was leaving AEW. The contract taking so long to sign was the only thing cause for any side eyeing. Cody was liked in WWE
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:51:52 +0000 UTCSo the talent that's hinting at CM Punk is actually kinda like ribbing him? I mean they know he will hear about it. Maybe that's the case. I'm fine if he goes to WWE, I'm fine if he doesn't return to Pro Wrestling. AEW just wasn't a good fit for him. It is what it is.
Vain Valor
2023-10-10 22:51:09 +0000 UTCAnything is possible
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:50:45 +0000 UTCYes
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:50:35 +0000 UTCIs there any talk as to how Triple H would handle CM Punk (attitude, creative etc) compared to Vince in 2013. It seems Punk and HHH had almost no respect for each other.
Sjubb
2023-10-10 22:50:33 +0000 UTCAEW signs their wrestlers away a lot so Punk is fair game
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:50:23 +0000 UTCNone have outright lied to us
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:49:56 +0000 UTCNo I think he knows he can go IMPACT or MLW if he wants
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:49:38 +0000 UTCDo you think Punk’s next contract in a wrestling company is as an active talent? Or could he be a producer/agent?
Connor Augenstein
2023-10-10 22:48:38 +0000 UTCInteresting. In what ways can they?
WP
2023-10-10 22:45:00 +0000 UTCNot a statement of any expectation. I’m not overly a punk fan… more a story fan. I’m just hoping that there is something planned. A sort of GoT red wedding moment. The attack on Jay white being related. Just imagine the takeover on aew of punk alongside house of black, FTR etc. The internet would legitimately break. I always go back to punks first press scrum with Tony and one thing that really meant a lot to him was the tight lips around the passing of Brodie. Part of me hopes something like that has been going on for some time on this. Like I say, not a mad punk fan but man this would be next level story telling. Game changer stuff if this was a massive swerve.
Chris Pritchard
2023-10-10 22:43:49 +0000 UTCNot a question, just wanted to say that I do not envy the position you're in but appreciate the effort and professionalism. The amount of bad faith arguments, disingenuous "well actually" nonsense, and people who would rather just believe Twitter accounts that literally get their info by copying Fightful's homework is painful. I know it's cliche to write people of as marks, but there is a portion of the community that work themselves time and again, then shout at YOU for being wrong or misleading them. Just know that there are sane folks who appreciate the effort and respect you and the team as professionals.
YuuriVoice
2023-10-10 22:43:09 +0000 UTCHas Punk put out feelers to any other company besides AEW?
Kim Gray
2023-10-10 22:43:07 +0000 UTCDon't really have a question, just wanted to say that your work and everyone else's at Fightful is always super appreciated. You guys are the best in the biz, so keep doing what you're doing 👍
Evan Vracar
2023-10-10 22:41:50 +0000 UTCNot necessarily pertaining to Punk, but how have wrestling companies, in the past year, managed to get a large portion of spoilers squashed, and actually have surprises (ex. Adam Copeland debut)
Skyler Rains
2023-10-10 22:41:15 +0000 UTCWould NJPW’s working relationship with AEW make them hesitant to work with Punk in any capacity? Would it damage this relationship or do you think Tony/AEW would recognize that “business is business”?
Brian Smith
2023-10-10 22:40:19 +0000 UTCPercentage chance that he comes back at all to WWE, not just at Survivor Series?
Cock…THE JOHNSON…Dick!
2023-10-10 22:36:00 +0000 UTCIf Ari Emmanuel personally decides he really wants CM Punk, could that heavily tip the scales in favor of Punk signing?
Viper51210
2023-10-10 22:35:08 +0000 UTCThey already can in some ways.
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:34:21 +0000 UTCCould CM Punk ever come back in a rumble match??? I know there was like a running joke in the past of people predicting him to return in a rumble match. Just not sure if a rumble return is more likely to happen than survivor series
meatknight8
2023-10-10 22:34:14 +0000 UTCHow similar are the things your hearing from WWE about Punk compared to what you heard about Cody returning last year?
absolutely county
2023-10-10 22:34:10 +0000 UTCThe question I keep kicking around is, ultimately, would bringing Punk in be worth the risk for WWE? And based on the unprompted info given, I would lean towards at this time, no. After having to navigate all of Vince’s problems the past year or so, I just can’t see WWE willingly take on such a liability. Yeah, the man is money, but is it worth the headache.
Alice Hoffman
2023-10-10 22:34:08 +0000 UTCMakes sense makes sense. But talent would get to choose or vote if they want him signed??
David Swed
2023-10-10 22:34:05 +0000 UTCYeah I think it's more possibly than ever for KENTA
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:33:59 +0000 UTC20 percent, 10 percent
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:33:49 +0000 UTCNo
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:33:36 +0000 UTCThere's always a chance
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:33:32 +0000 UTCWe are correct. It's straight from WWE
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:33:24 +0000 UTCInteresting, had a good change in circumstance in my financial life so back on select, happy to be back on it 💪
Stephen Bradley
2023-10-10 22:33:12 +0000 UTCcorrect
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:33:11 +0000 UTCNot to my knowledge.
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:32:51 +0000 UTCAre AEW open to the possibility of letting FTR work with Punk outside of AEW?
WP
2023-10-10 22:32:48 +0000 UTCI wish I knew
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:32:44 +0000 UTCHe hasn't bashed Endeavor at least
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:32:36 +0000 UTCThis question is sort of a 2 parter, firstly what do you think the percent chance punk returns to WWE now? and how likely is it that he returns to AEW in the future?
Bilal Mussa
2023-10-10 22:32:34 +0000 UTCIs it possible that we might get a Kenta return to WWE instead of Punk? I feel like the GTS could have been a clue to either one of them.
Hannah
2023-10-10 22:32:34 +0000 UTCNope….Punk vs Austin mania
AknowledgeMe
2023-10-10 22:32:22 +0000 UTCNo, and that could be a big catalyst for no talks happening yet
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:32:22 +0000 UTCThere's always the possibility of such a clause
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:32:08 +0000 UTCDo you think WWE is open minded to speaking to Punk
KEITH ELLIS
2023-10-10 22:31:59 +0000 UTCRumble lmao …they don’t need the pop in Chicago. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
AknowledgeMe
2023-10-10 22:31:59 +0000 UTCYes
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:31:53 +0000 UTCAs of right now
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:31:47 +0000 UTCI guess we'll find out at Survivor series
Kyle Pribila
2023-10-10 22:31:47 +0000 UTCI don't think so personally.
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:31:38 +0000 UTCI know you said higher ups are not in the business of working the media but with how everything gets leaked in this current era of pro wrestling do you think maybe there is a possibility that they are working them this one time? Love your work Sean and everything you do. Thanks!
Frank Dinardo
2023-10-10 22:31:34 +0000 UTC10
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:31:26 +0000 UTCBecause of the nature of who he is
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:31:22 +0000 UTCDo you believe there's a chance he will still go there
Brad Nettle
2023-10-10 22:31:12 +0000 UTCThey feel if they wanted him, they can have him
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:31:07 +0000 UTCJack Perry is under mask
AknowledgeMe
2023-10-10 22:31:05 +0000 UTCIs WWE taking input from talent especially the ones who don't like Punk into consideration if they should even speak to CM Punk?
Dave Langer
2023-10-10 22:30:56 +0000 UTCBWE claims differently but we shall see soon enough
AknowledgeMe
2023-10-10 22:30:48 +0000 UTCI asked but didn't get an answer
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:30:47 +0000 UTCNo but some of them asked WWE, and were told he's not.
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:30:38 +0000 UTCMy understanding of this simply is: at this time WWE isn’t in talks with him, that could change, it also might not. does that feel like a fair take?
Sanjay Vemuri
2023-10-10 22:30:32 +0000 UTCYes
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:30:19 +0000 UTCNo chance
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:30:11 +0000 UTCWWE
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:30:05 +0000 UTCAbsolutely not true. In fact, WWE was expecting someone to ask
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:29:40 +0000 UTCSo this is totally different situation when they were referencing Cody alot back last year?
Manuel Gutierrez
2023-10-10 22:29:40 +0000 UTCNJPW
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:29:32 +0000 UTCPunk
Fightful Select
2023-10-10 22:29:28 +0000 UTCSo, obviously there are no talks of a return to WWE for Punk atm. Is there genuine interest on either side?
Isaac Gudin
2023-10-10 22:29:22 +0000 UTCIs there any problems between Endeavor and Punk?
Gary Grabinski
2023-10-10 22:29:07 +0000 UTCChances of Punk being under the devil mask and/or the CMFTR trademark being linked to an AEW return?
WP
2023-10-10 22:28:57 +0000 UTCIn your opinion in the next year what is more likely? Punk returns to AEW Punk returns to WWE Punk doesn’t return to either?
Stephen Bradley
2023-10-10 22:28:46 +0000 UTCWould endeavor want someone who bashed the company?
Marshall Standley
2023-10-10 22:28:43 +0000 UTCTypically how long does a contract negotiation take with someone of Punks status?
Steve M
2023-10-10 22:28:24 +0000 UTCNot a question Sean but more of a statement, don't people know by now that when you have information that you know is accurate is the only time you will report it? You don't just say things for the heck of it. I've learned that until it's reported by Fightful, I take everything with a grain of salt. Been watching wrestling a very long time, until I see things with my own eyes, it's all just rumors. One more thing, great job with everything you have been reporting on lately, so much happening everywhere.
Dawn Serrano
2023-10-10 22:28:19 +0000 UTCWas it true that the media were told not to mention CM Punk at the fastlane presser?
rich bich
2023-10-10 22:28:16 +0000 UTCAppreciate the insight SRS. Does this extra information change your 50/50 stance on him coming in eventually? I think there’s money to be made there but maybe a Rumble return makes more sense even though it’s Chicago.
Trevor D.
2023-10-10 22:28:01 +0000 UTCas of right now, what of these options would be most expected? * Velveteen Dream resigns * CM Punk resigns * neither of these happen any time soon.
Kobe
2023-10-10 22:28:00 +0000 UTCIf he would go work for a smaller promotion which one would you think it would? MLW, Impact or New Japan?
Matt Payne
2023-10-10 22:28:00 +0000 UTCWould you say a CM Punk return to WWE is off the table for now?
Rashidi Wilson
2023-10-10 22:27:49 +0000 UTCHas anybody voiced to u the possibility that wwe dont want to talk to punk at all or have any higher ups seemed negative when it comes to him coming to wwe
Brandon
2023-10-10 22:27:35 +0000 UTCJust speculation but would you think it would have certain clause given what's happened prior with him, also would you expect it to be a part time deal similar to what Edge had in WWE prior?
Erik Pylvainen
2023-10-10 22:27:27 +0000 UTCSo in your opinion do you think we will see punk in Chicago in November or now is a no what is your percentage now and why to wwe like to take shots at him when he is not going to the company
Jonathan Corona
2023-10-10 22:27:15 +0000 UTCHave you confirmed Punk's comments about being free in a month (going from memory on that one) at all?
Nic Allen
2023-10-10 22:27:10 +0000 UTCIs this far off from how you’d think they’d respond / act if he WAS probably going to go there? If different, how so?
Challenge Mania
2023-10-10 22:27:01 +0000 UTCDoes WWE still feel that they can sign him as per your previous report?
Super Dave Osborne
2023-10-10 22:26:34 +0000 UTCClose to 0
Flameducky
2023-10-10 22:26:28 +0000 UTCWhy would talent be told if someone is returning or signing with WWE? Ex: Gargano. When he returned, did talent know he was signed?
David Swed
2023-10-10 22:26:18 +0000 UTCwhat is the percent chance of hell freezing over and punk returning to aew
winter
2023-10-10 22:26:07 +0000 UTCDo you know if punk and heyman still talk or have a good relationship? Seems if cm punk were to come back he would help solve the issues between punk and Roman
Carter
2023-10-10 22:26:03 +0000 UTCwhile there aren't ongoing conversations going now. WWE has to know punk is interested and could be had WWE decided to go that route. I don't think hhh, Vince or Nick Khan are speaking with punk camp but there is probably a ton of back channeling going on no?
Marc Foust
2023-10-10 22:26:01 +0000 UTCDo you think Cody’s relationship with the bucks would affect if he would want to work with punk
Colt
2023-10-10 22:25:48 +0000 UTCDo you know if any of the top talent who have had problems with Punk in the past (like Roman, Seth, AJ Styles) were ever asked about Punk coming back to WWE?
Will McLean
2023-10-10 22:25:35 +0000 UTC
