[anyclip-media thumbnail=”https://cdn5.anyclip.com/RPsU7YsBIyWJbpfqTk8-/1700489667084_248x140_thumbnail.jpg” playlistId=”undefined” content=”PHNjcmlwdCBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vcGxheWVyLnBvcHRvay5jb20vYW55Y2xpcC13aWRnZXQvbHJlLXdpZGdldC9wcm9kL3YxL3NyYy9scmUuanMiIGRhdGEtYXI9IjE2OjkiIGRhdGEtcGxpZD0ia2ppaGd2anhsZnp1ZXNsems1ZmdlNGRnb2ZrZ3dvYm4iIHB1Ym5hbWU9IjE5OTgiIHdpZGdldG5hbWU9IjAwMTZNMDAwMDJVMEIxa1FBRl9NODMzMCI+Cjwvc2NyaXB0Pg==”][/anyclip-media]
What’s the day before WWE Survivor Series: WarGames in Chicago without one last check on the CM Punk situation, right? Like it or not, the possibility of Punk showing up at the Allstate Arena continues to hang over Saturday night’s show.
The most well-connected and respected pro wrestling insiders still think it’s unlikely that Punk is at the show. Dave Meltzer said in his latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter (subscription required) that he’s seen “no evidence this is happening but admits it’s not impossible.
Of course the biggest question regarding the show probably involves C.M. Punk. If WWE was to bring in Punk, this night or Smackdown the night before would be the place to debut him. We’ve seen no evidence this is happening and those close to the situation have denied it, but it is possible it’s a well-kept secret.
Sean Ross Sapp wrote a lengthy Q&A running down everything he knows about Punk for Fightful Select (subscription required). His stance is essentially the same, noting that the facts point to no unless it is a very well-kept secret.
We’ve not reported one way or another that he will or won’t. He’s not featured on any graphics, rundowns, plans that we’ve heard of as of yet. We’ve heard nothing as of today to indicate he is, and so far, only solid information that would indicate he isn’t.
“Plans change” is an oft-made fun of thing, but that’s the nature of scripted pro wrestling. It can be scripted to change, and often does. Karrion Kross wasn’t signed at the start of the week when he returned. Will Ospreay signed his AEW contract after arriving at the venue last week. Dakota Kai was contacted for a return the day before Summerslam 2022.
WWE’s claim is that CM Punk won’t be there. Punk’s claim to friends is that he won’t be. This does not permanently close the door.
So the best hope for Punk fans invested in seeing him return in his hometown would seem to be a last second agreement. And in what is either foreshadowing or a massive coincidence, depending on how Survivor Series plays out, a remaster of Living Colour’s “Cult of Personality,” Punk’s most famous entrance theme was released to music streaming services today — though there are also signs this isn’t actually a brand new remaster at all.
Even for those who are tired of the seemingly ceaseless circus that surrounds Punk, Survivor Series will be interesting as a test for whether WWE feels pressure to deliver something some segment of its fanbase wants and/or expects, or if it feels confident to stay the course during a time when most observers agree the company has been on a hot streak. It’s going to be an intriguing event either way.
[lawrence-related id=41453]