CM Punk was ready for WWE Royal Rumble 2023 return, and main event WrestleMania 39 night onw

CM Punk's contract has been terminated by AEW, ending his run in just over two years. He had a seven-year-long break from professional wrestling and made his debut at AEW in 2021. During his time off and during his AEW run, there were a lot of rumors about his return to WWE.

Last year on AEW All Out Media Scrum, CM Punk spoke about his idea to return to WWE, now the complete plan has come to light. Punk had a 9 month long hiatus from AEW after the event due to suspension and tricep injury. During his time off, Fightful Select reported that CM Punk was open to the idea of leaving AEW and returning to WWE.

WWE's Plans for CM Punk revealed

As per Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful reports, CM Punk was ready to move to WWE a while ago for a surprise return after hearing it from Punk's close circle.

Fightful reported,

"Those close to Punk claim that around December 2022, Punk was open to leaving AEW, and even encouraged the idea so he could make a WWE return. Specifically, we've heard that he wanted to appear at the 2023 Royal Rumble. However, we've not heard any traction to WWE having interest in such a thing, or that AEW were actually entertaining the idea of giving Punk his release at that point."

Fightful also reported the potential opponent for WrestleMania,

"One of the rumored ideas that Punk had not confirmed with him or his camp actually made its way back to some WWE talent, The idea was that Punk would return at the 2023 WWE Royal Rumble, and work a match at WWE WrestleMania against the person who would eventually eliminate him. Word within WWE was that Kevin Owens was the name thrown around. He'd go on to main event night one of WrestleMania."

It didn’t come to existence and Punk returned to AEW in June 2022. Will this plan carry out for the 2024 Royal Rumble? We need to wait and watch.