What you need to know about CM Punk's return to the ring
WRESTLER CM Punk originally left the WWE in 2014.
After a brief stint in the UFC, CM Punk returned to professional wrestling in 2021.
When did CM Punk return to wrestling?
After leaving the WWE in 2014, CM Punk attempted to build a career in mixed martial arts and signed with the UFC December 2014.
But he lost both of his fights – although the latter was recently declared a no-contest – and resurfaced in the wrestling world in November 2019 as part of Fox Sports' expert team for WWE Backstage.
In 2021, Punk debuted with All Elite Wrestling, marking his return to professional wrestling after a seven-year absence from the industry.
After winning the AEW World Championship for the second time, Punk went on a rampage during a post-event media bash.
During the tirade, he accused wrestlers Kenny Omega and the tag team The Young Bucks of spreading rumors and leaking them to wrestling media.
Omega and The Young Bucks later approached Punk backstage about his comments, leading to a legitimate altercation.
All parties involved were reportedly suspended and Punk's AEW World Championship was vacated that week.
After a nine-month absence, Punk returned to AEW at the premiere of Collision on June 17, 2023.
In August at AEW's All In pay-per-view in London, he successfully wrestled Samoa Joe in what would be his final match with the promotion.
After the event, Punk was reportedly involved in another altercation, this time with wrestler Jack Perry.
AEW announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Punk had terminated his AEW contract on September 2.
The statement also revealed that the decision was made following the unanimous recommendation of both the AEW discipline committee and external legal counsel.
AEW President and CEO Tony Khan announced before that night's episode of Collision that “the incident was unfortunate and put people backstage in danger.”
Khan also claimed that Punk “lunged” at him backstage, making him feel like “my safety, my safety, my life was in danger at a wrestling show.”
Months later, the Chicago native made his long-awaited return to his hometown WWE at the conclusion of the Survivor Series premium live event on November 25, 2023.
Currently, he will compete in the 2024 Royal Rumble match on January 27, 2024.
Why did CM Punk leave WWE in 2014?
CM Punk's last wrestling match with WWE was at the Royal Rumble in 2014, where he was eliminated from the match by Kane.
During the match, Punk suffered a concussion after Kofi Kingston hit him with a clothesline.
After the Royal Rumble, Punk did not appear on subsequent episodes of RAW or SmackDown.
WWE stopped advertising him, and although Vince McMahon told investors that Punk was taking a break from the company, in reality he had legitimately left the company.
On a 2014 episode of Colt Cabana's Art of Wrestling podcast, Punk finally broke his silence on his departure from WWE.
He claimed that he was suspended for two months after leaving in January and that no one from WWE contacted him after the suspension ended.
Punk also said that he received his discharge papers and was fired by WWE on his wedding day on June 13, 2014.
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Who is CM Punk's wife, AJ Mendez?
AJ Mendez, also known as AJ Lee, is a retired professional wrestler. She won the now defunct Diva's Championship twice.
In January 2014, she became the longest reigning Diva Champion at the time at 295 days.
On April 4, 2017, AJ Lee released a memoir entitled Crazy Is My Superpower: How I Triumphed by Breaking Bones, Breaking Hearts, and Breaking the Rules.
She also co-wrote the comic book series GLOW vs. with actress Aimee Garcia in 2019. The Babyface.
AJ has contributed to several projects, including the 2022 Netflix film Blade of the 47 Ronin and a story in the first issue of DC Comics Wonder Woman: Black and Gold.