'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
CM Punk has shared that a former WWE Champion departing the company played a major role in his return. He referred to Vince McMahon, who ran the global wrestling juggernaut for many years.
The Voice of the Voiceless parted ways with AEW last year and shockingly returned to WWE in November at Survivor Series. Triple H and Nick Khan were already steering the ship when he returned. Vince had stepped down from his role as chairman in 2022 after allegations of sexual misconduct.
Speaking to Denise Salcedo in a recent interview, CM Punk was asked about his decision to return to WWE. He said he wasn't desperate to return to the company even though things didn't work out for him in AEW.
Trending
"No, because it was never like a thing that I was yearning to do, you know, like there was a lot of things that had to happen for the pathway to kind of clear. The stars had to align, there had to be like a full moon, and a lot of dominoes fell in order for us to get here. There was never like a 'Man, I'd really like to go back.'"
New Champs in WWE! More RIGHT HERE
However, Punk mentioned that McMahon being out of the company was one of the key factors in his return.
"Vince being out of the picture, I think, probably illuminated the way. I think that might have been one of the biggest things... It wasn't me, it wasn't him, it was just there's a lot of history there, and all of a sudden one of us is removed from the equation, and I think it changed a lot of things," he said. [2:00-2:53]
CM Punk will compete in his first singles match in WWE after 10 years at SummerSlam
At this year's Royal Rumble, The Second City Saint made his televised WWE in-ring return as an entrant in the 30-man match. He made it to the final two but was eliminated by Cody Rhodes.
CM Punk was scheduled to compete at WrestleMania XL but sustained an injury at the Rumble.
At SummerSlam, CM Punk will face Drew McIntyre in his first televised singles match in WWE since 2014.
While he wrestled Dominik Mysterio before the Royal Rumble, it took place at a house show. This one will be at a major Premium Live Event.
If you use the quote from this article, please credit Denise Salcedo and add an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.
