4 biggest hints superstars dropped in the lead-up to CM Punk's WWE return at Survivor Series 2023

CM Punk's WWE return at Survivor Series 2023 after almost a decade was legendary, before, during, and after it. Many were shocked by his appearance considering his history with the company. The Stamford-based promotion also gave fans hope with not-so-subtle hints.

In September 2023, it was announced that CM Punk's AEW contract had been terminated following a backstage altercation with Jack Perry. Theories began making the rounds that he might return to WWE at Survivor Series since it was to take place in Chicago. There were many doubts regarding this due to his history with the company and those running it. However, this thinking changed when various stars referenced The Voice of the Voiceless leading up to that year's Survivor Series. At the event, hell indeed froze over when he appeared at the end of the show.

In this list, we will look at the four biggest hints superstars made en route to CM Punk's WWE return at Survivor Series 2023.

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#4. Seth Rollins' promos always seemingly had a CM Punk reference

One superstar who became the main face of CM Punk references was Seth Rollins, who was both the receiver and giver of the hints about the former AEW star. Between September to October last year, Seth Rollins was in a feud with Shinsuke Nakamura.

However, it wasn't their feud that kept fans invested but the subtle hints he dropped during his promos in this run. He referred to himself as "The Best in the World," a nickname associated with Punk and one that The Visionary doesn't use often, and even said "Cry me a river" which is what Jack Perry said that led to his backstage clash with Punk.

The most telling hint was most likely his segment with Michael Cole, who stated that Seth was usually known as the "puppet master" but he may be Shinsuke's "puppet" in their feud. Interestingly, these nicknames were the labels Punk used in his first-ever pipebomb in 2005 at Ring of Honor.

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#3. Shinsuke Nakamura suddenly added the GTS to his arsenal

Another superstar Shinsuke feuded with in 2023 was Ricochet, who was helping Rollins during their feud. Nakamura displayed his usual tools of mind games and strong style, but there was one unusual move that he began to use.

The first time Shinsuke used the GTS was on Ricochet after attacking him on the October 9, 2023, episode of Monday Night RAW. Interestingly, USA Network then furthered the return rumors by commenting "Best in the World" when WWE posted the video on their social media.

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#2. Grayson Waller's remark about his commentary on SmackDown

Although most references occurred on Monday Night RAW and were made by the roster of the red brand, some of the most straightforward hints came from SmackDown. This time around, Grayson Waller joined in the fun.

In November 2023, weeks before Survivor Series, Grayson Waller posted a photo of himself at the commentary table with the caption, "Even on commentary, nobody can touch me." This was a direct line from Punk's infamous 2011 pipebomb on RAW, where he criticized WWE's leadership and expressed his frustrations, among other things, all the while wearing a Stone Cold Steve Austin shirt.

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#1. CM Punk gave a major hint about his WWE comeback

Since WarGames began in WWE, the Stamford-based promotion has always used War Pigs by Black Sabbath as its theme song. This was something that CM Punk capitalized on.

Weeks before Survivor Series 2023, CM Punk posted a screenshot of his workout progress with GIFs of him making the GTS gesture. However, fans were sure he was returning because he used War Pigs as background music.