Never say never in the world of professional wrestling.
On Saturday night, CM Punk made his shocking return to WWE with a surprise entrance at the end of Survivor Series: WarGames in Chicago, Punk's hometown.
Punk had not been seen on WWE programming since leaving the company in 2014. Punk had last wrestled with All Elite Wrestling, but was let go from AEW after one too many instances of backstage friction, including a reported altercation with his fellow performer Jack Perry.
The Survivor Series crowd had already been treated to the return of Randy Orton, who was coming back from an injury that sidelined him for more than a year.
But after the main event was over and it looked like the show was heading to roll credits, Punk's music hit, sending the crowd into hysterics.
NEVER. SAY. NEVER.@CMPunk has just returned to WWE at #SurvivorSeries!!! pic.twitter.com/0dpG6vyT5r
— WWE (@WWE) November 26, 2023
Fans shared their disbelief at Punk's return on social media.
OH. MY. GOD https://t.co/Sm2Ry20VeH
— Mega Ran (@MegaRan) November 26, 2023
I still can't quite believe it.
— Inside The Ropes (@Inside_TheRopes) November 26, 2023
Almost 10 years on from his departure, CM Punk has returned to WWE. #SurvivorSeries https://t.co/0crwZ8fBc5
Bro...... I'm speechless https://t.co/s5YyklshCc
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) November 26, 2023
How is 2023 real life?
— Jason Paradise (@jparaLove) November 26, 2023
Been speechless for like 10 minutes https://t.co/VL3qrKtT4q
According to wrestling reporter Sean Ross Sapp, Punk's entrance was a surprise even to many at WWE.
Here are the details we have as of now:
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) November 26, 2023
CM Punk told at least one person close to him he had an hour long conversation with Triple H last week.
WWE staff, reps, creative had no idea. He walked through the back in plain site minutes before he appeared. They had cleared an area…
The sudden nature of his return might explain why Punk didn’t say a word, but he didn’t need to—the self-proclaimed “Best in the World” is back in WWE.
