UPDATED: CM Punk was backstage at WWE Raw, per talent
Added 2023-04-24 22:50:11 +0000 UTCCM Punk was backstage at WWE Raw in Chicago.
PWinsider reported that CM Punk was briefly backstage at April 24's WWE Raw. Those that we spoke to said that they got eyes on Punk speaking to talent, including chatting with Miz, who he's had cross words with on Twitter in the past. Those that we spoke to said it appeared that the two were getting along. Punk was also seen speaking with Baron Corbin, Bobby Lashley and Tamina.
Punk was looking to have a short talk with Triple H, who was clearly surprised that Punk was there. The two shook hands, Punk asked if he was able to hang around. Triple H said he had to ask if that would be permitted. CM Punk was asked to leave by Jim Kelly, WWE's head of security, at the request of management. Punk had been under the impression that it was a Vince McMahon call.
Those that we spoke to said that Punk left without incident. Triple H was said to have been clearly shocked to see Punk, but almost everyone there was shocked, and it didn't seem to affect Triple H throughout the night.
Numerous wrestlers in WWE believed that the move was a publicity stunt for a return to AEW soon. There were several AEW talent in disbelief when they heard that he was backstage at Raw. WWE talent were shocked that he got backstage, even though he's got history in the company. However, nobody heard that anything contentious was said or done and that Punk was pleasant backstage. While it was mentioned by one talent that Punk seemed to be making amends, they also noted that he could have done that in any other capacity and WWE could have got a heads up and been prepared for him to be there.
Punk had indicated that he was invited by friends to visit backstage. We were told that AEW didn't reach out directly to Punk regarding him being backstage, at least Monday. There is no concern about Punk jumping to WWE, as he still has a lot of contract time left, and plans are in place for him to rejoin AEW.
We've asked WWE in an official capacity about the situation, but were just told they don't have that info as of yet.
EDIT: Updated for clarity, and added some notes
Comments
It honestly just sounds like the dude wanted to try to make amends with people, and this got blown way out of proportion.
rocksolid124
2023-04-26 00:21:33 +0000 UTCDave Meltzer is real life Britta Perry without anything mildly endearing about his personality.
Talk About Your Psalms Talk About John 3 16 Femboy 3 16 Says I Just Licked Your Ass
2023-04-25 19:59:00 +0000 UTCSean, if it was indeed a Vince call to have him out. Should we read into this meaning that Vince still very much present in some capacity?
Unabashedly Reggie
2023-04-25 16:30:34 +0000 UTCSo was it not a Vince call or do we still don’t know that for sure? It just said Punk was under the impression.
Tori Melching
2023-04-25 14:55:22 +0000 UTCI wonder if Cora Jade being there for Main Event had anything to do with him showing up.
Kevin D
2023-04-25 14:54:51 +0000 UTCThe fact he was speaking to Triple H and Hunter asked of it was ok for him to stay is very interesting. Obviously Punk has a lot of contract time with AEW but mending the bridge for the future I.e HOF etc.
Mark lacking
2023-04-25 14:54:49 +0000 UTCWednesday CM Punk news incoming because why not. This guy...
Shannon Willis
2023-04-25 14:52:12 +0000 UTCUseless fact. Keith Burgdoff often gets mistaken to be Stone Cold.
RoRo
2023-04-25 14:48:00 +0000 UTCI’m just shocked that CM Punk apparently still has any friends left.
Ajai Coleman
2023-04-25 14:45:51 +0000 UTCHe was in a silly, goofy mood
Emma Berthiaume
2023-04-25 14:44:41 +0000 UTCI like the even reporting to this better than Meltzer's "he wants back in WWE!" sensationalism.
Jason O'Dell
2023-04-25 14:44:26 +0000 UTCSeconded, had to re-read it to spot the changes in who he talked to and details around HHH (and now Vince). Maybe add to the end of altered paragraphs with UPDATE: [details go here]. Normally updates are clearly at the end of the post but this was fleshing out specific details, so maybe no good answer.
Laserscope
2023-04-25 14:36:12 +0000 UTCJust as a copy editing clarification there seems to be some confusion on which parts were added/changed in your late night/early morning update. I think it would make it easier if you noted or somehow highlighted (maybe via bold text?) which parts were added in the update.
CabbageSensei
2023-04-25 13:40:01 +0000 UTCDamn I kinda wish they let him hang around. Vince is just destroying all the fun
JDenise
2023-04-25 13:04:52 +0000 UTCRight?!? Wild for sure! At least it's never boring. 🤷🏼♀️
Daisy Stone
2023-04-25 13:00:53 +0000 UTCMaybe he's trying to show he can bury the hatchet by going to people he's had problems with for a long time? I have no idea, this is the wildest thing I've heard since... Endeavor? So not that long, but still/
Raphael Soohoo
2023-04-25 13:00:07 +0000 UTCHe flew on a plane with WWE talent from Florida to the arena to talk to HHH and other talent… Don’t downplay this. Dude is the constant crap starter. He shouldn’t be welcomed back to AEW now
Scott R
2023-04-25 11:11:33 +0000 UTCHi SRS, can you clarify something in the text? I think it got conflated on the updates: “There was also word that he briefly spoke with Triple H. Punk was looking to have a short talk with Triple H, who was clearly surprised that Punk was there. The two shook hands, Punk asked if he was able to hang around. Triple H said he had to ask if that would be permitted.” Does that mean Punk asked HHH to talk one on one together or just asked him if he could stick around? (EDIT: Or both?)
CabbageSensei
2023-04-25 10:33:08 +0000 UTCSo he's talking to Triple H, but can't apologize to those in AEW to the point they're splitting the roster 🙄 this guy is a fuckin joke.
Daisy Stone
2023-04-25 09:27:23 +0000 UTCDon’t forget about Jeff Jarrett too
Anthony M
2023-04-25 06:04:03 +0000 UTCYeah 1000% a publicity stunt
Anthony M
2023-04-25 06:02:23 +0000 UTCI'm very intrigued what seth Rollins reaction was by this 🤔
Kyle Pribila
2023-04-25 05:57:25 +0000 UTCVery obviously a publicity stunt since he's coming back soon. Quite clever tbh
CMRN
2023-04-25 05:42:55 +0000 UTCIncorrect
CMRN
2023-04-25 03:18:37 +0000 UTCWarrior rings a bell as does Jesse Ventura.
Doogie
2023-04-25 02:47:01 +0000 UTCYes it does but not THAT wrestler
Troy A Palek
2023-04-25 01:47:34 +0000 UTCto be fair, the WWE doctor sued punk.
David Feig
2023-04-25 00:43:20 +0000 UTCMaybe he can stay healthy long enough for us to be concerned he has a long run ahead.
BKRMKR
2023-04-25 00:42:37 +0000 UTCIf he wanted to apologize and maybe just get that off his chest and sort of be the better man I'm fine with it. But right now who knows what it was.
Anthony R
2023-04-25 00:40:39 +0000 UTCDoes it usually happen with guys who sued the company and has gone out of their way to attack the WWE like Punk? I get it if you don't think it's worth your time, but it is noteworthy.
Jim Bear
2023-04-25 00:14:32 +0000 UTCOh buddy I am PREPARED
Luis Pulido
2023-04-24 23:48:16 +0000 UTCWhoa, wrestlers coming backstage to other companies' shows? That never happens. Oh wait, it happens all the time.
rocksolid124
2023-04-24 23:39:32 +0000 UTCThe super chats are going to be wild tonight
Phillip_ino
2023-04-24 23:39:21 +0000 UTCNot going to say this is a non story, but unless he was literally begging triple h to hire him, this isn’t a big deal to me. Sounds like somebody he’s friends with let him in and didn’t clear it beforehand.
Elaquent
2023-04-24 23:37:54 +0000 UTCAnyone else have Punk going Pillman on their bingo card? As that's wow.
Insomnia Inc
2023-04-24 23:28:53 +0000 UTClaying the groundwork for his post AEW contract -
Dan Wurtenberger
2023-04-24 23:27:12 +0000 UTCYup.
Almaida
2023-04-24 23:26:41 +0000 UTCRemember he doesn't want us talking about him! But I guess someone had to tell Miz how great that match with Seth Rollins was! I just wasn't expecting him to show up in person to tell him. Maybe they will headline WrestleMania next year? Okay going to shut off my brain now haha thank you fightful!
steve
2023-04-24 23:23:24 +0000 UTCRicky Starks was just backstage with Cody a few months ago, any shock or anger from AEW talent is manufactured.
Matthew
2023-04-24 23:20:15 +0000 UTCI mean if Punk was back to visit talent I dont have a problem with that. They are in chicago so why not. It been years at some point they got to squash beef. wwe and cm punk of course
Kamonte Jackson
2023-04-24 23:17:21 +0000 UTCIt would be real nice if he was talking to Miz and HHH specifically to show he can mend fences. He's had very public issues with both. But that's probably being to optimistic. Love him as a performer so much, but just comes across as such a cranky ass hole.
Justin Ackley
2023-04-24 23:16:10 +0000 UTCWhy are AEW talent be in disbelief? They don't like him in AEW you'd think they'd be happy about him going back to WWE just my thoughts
Wolf
2023-04-24 23:13:53 +0000 UTCAnother set back to his aew comeback I guess the boys won’t be happy with this
Corey webster
2023-04-24 23:09:50 +0000 UTCI’ve learned never to be in disbelief about anything Phil Brooks does anymore
Joel Wood
2023-04-24 23:09:26 +0000 UTC2 months out though? doesn’t make sense for it to be a publicity stunt
Nico
2023-04-24 23:07:50 +0000 UTCMakes sense he was asked to leave if he’s still under AEW contract. TK loves to cry tampering.
Brian35
2023-04-24 23:07:30 +0000 UTCHe's so unintentionally hilarious
Lucas Lamb
2023-04-24 23:05:23 +0000 UTCDX invasion. Angle
slick
2023-04-24 23:04:30 +0000 UTC🫡
Ol’ Dustin
2023-04-24 23:04:07 +0000 UTCMan needs to go back to WWE
Matty Nice
2023-04-24 23:00:08 +0000 UTCwhether or not Vince is trying to book again, so he's a smart fucker lol
Fletcher DeRouen
2023-04-24 22:59:52 +0000 UTChe's a fucker, but it is admittedly getting us to talk about CM Punk at a time when people realistically should be talking about the announcement and
Fletcher DeRouen
2023-04-24 22:59:34 +0000 UTCHonestly it’s a genius publicity stunt if that’s what it was, it got people talking about him didn’t it?
chikorita
2023-04-24 22:58:22 +0000 UTC"Those that we spoke to said that Punk left without incident." Man. Maybe he really has changed....lol.
B. Joseph
2023-04-24 22:58:09 +0000 UTCSuch a drama king. I’m a huge AEW fan, I genuinely don’t understand why he can’t not be a locker room cancer. You don’t see Moxley or Jericho doing this to stir stuff up… At this point WWE can have him.
Scott R
2023-04-24 22:57:26 +0000 UTCLol tried to tell people
Patrick Shaw
2023-04-24 22:57:24 +0000 UTCWhat in the fuck is going on today????? LMAO
Juan Ortiz
2023-04-24 22:56:43 +0000 UTCPunk is something else bruh lol
Tucker
2023-04-24 22:56:42 +0000 UTCWell played Phil well played.
Joel Allison
2023-04-24 22:56:41 +0000 UTCThis man is the fucking GOAT
Jake Salazar
2023-04-24 22:56:28 +0000 UTC…what? This is the most random update of the day (obviously a huge story to break though). I’m so confused lmao
Levent
2023-04-24 22:56:00 +0000 UTCOh... You guys just trying to take down the internet today. That's cool
Chris Mate
2023-04-24 22:55:55 +0000 UTCApology tour going crazy 🔥🔥🔥
Michael Espinosa
2023-04-24 22:55:48 +0000 UTCThis has been a hell of a news day 😂
Sean
2023-04-24 22:55:39 +0000 UTCOh damn.
BagOfGroceries
2023-04-24 22:55:31 +0000 UTCLmao at Punk
The Respected Madman
2023-04-24 22:55:28 +0000 UTCLMAO! This is gonna be a field day
Magan Yusuf
2023-04-24 22:55:17 +0000 UTCAlright who smoked the weed mixed with meth deciding today?
Jon Blain
2023-04-24 22:54:50 +0000 UTCA publicity stunt!!! Ugh, definitely worked nevertheless
Brad Nettle
2023-04-24 22:53:13 +0000 UTCThis is wild! 🤯 I did not see that happening
Noir
2023-04-24 22:53:10 +0000 UTCLet’s go punk
Toby jungkeit
2023-04-24 22:53:04 +0000 UTCMan what a crazy day.
Lord Zypher
2023-04-24 22:51:39 +0000 UTC
