Unknown details about CM Punk's return revealed: The special dinner, Renee Young, and the big secret 

While the writing was on the wall, CM Punk's return to the pro wrestling scene still managed to shock the entire wrestling fraternity.

The former WWE Champion showed up to assume his role as an analyst and special contributor on FS1's WWE Backstage and his arrival on the show was the need of the hour to increase the falling TV ratings.

An article by Sports Business Journal revealed more details on how the FOX authorities succeeded in keeping Punk's return a secret.

Out of 24 people who were in the FOX control room during Punk's debut on the show, only 6 of them were told in advance about the controversial Superstar's appearance.

Renee Young was the only WWE personality who was informed about Punk as she was tasked with introducing him on the show.

FOX Sports executive producer, executive vice president and head of production of operations, Brad Zager clearly stated that the idea behind WWE Backstage was to shock the viewers.

“Part of what we’re doing with this show is shock. You heard that natural reaction from our control room not believing that this was really happening. We wanted to make this a surprise. We wanted to make this a moment.”

“We had to buck the trend and not let it leak. It was the tightest circle of people to ever know about something that we’ve done.”

CM Punk signed a deal with FOX a week before his appearance and it was mutually agreed that they would all ensure that the news did not leak in the public domain.

FOX Sports’ senior vice president of production and talent development, Jacob Ullman also explained how WWE Backstage is different from FOX's NFL Studio Show.

“This show is unique because if you put together an NFL studio show, there’s a template for that. To do a show on sports entertainment, where we all know that it’s scripted, it’s almost more like covering a television show than a sporting event.”

It was also revealed that Ullman, Punk and Zager went out for a special dinner on the night before Punk's scheduled appearance on WWE Backstage and were left surprised that the news of Punk's return still hadn't gotten out.

The after-effects of the shock have now withered away and the focus has shifted to what Punk can offer to make the show a unique experience. The fans also have their eyes on a possible in-ring return, but that may not happen anytime soon.