CM Punk’s long-awaited return to WWE could have been a historic moment, heralding a new era for the promotion and seizing the imagination of fans worldwide. After a surprise reappearance at the Survivor Series Premium Live Event that left the audience electrified, Punk made his way to Monday Night RAW, where viewers eagerly anticipated his first promo in nearly a decade. It was a moment wrestling enthusiasts had dreamed of, but the follow-through was something many didn’t expect—disappointment.
Punk closed out the show with his passionate and straightforward promo—but WWE’s buildup to this significant moment fell short. Instead of intricate storylines or emotional engagement from the locker room, Punk’s presence was preflagged by a mere graphic, a move that former WWE writer Vince Russo critiqued as a significant mishandling of Punk’s RAW return.
On the Legion of RAW podcast, Russo emphasized the opportunities that slipped through WWE’s grasp. By having Superstars express their genuine thoughts on Punk’s return throughout the show, WWE would have created a palpable sense of anticipation and intrigue. This approach would have built a layered narrative, weaving Punk’s re-entry into the existing fabric of WWE storylines. Imagine Randy Orton commenting on being overshadowed by Punk’s return right after a significant win. It could have added intensity to existing feuds and cemented Punk’s influence, whether for better or worse.
WWE’s oversight has not gone unnoticed by fans, and following the episode, backstage speculation about Punk’s future began to churn once more. With the phrase “PG Punk” gaining traction online, it remains to be seen how WWE will craft Punk’s role moving forward.
The Second City Saint’s re-emergence in RAW should have been a soaring comeback, but instead, it has become a topic of contention. Has WWE already dropped the ball on capitalizing on CM Punk’s potential? That’s the million-dollar question echoing through the wrestling community.
Now, we turn to you, wrestling fans. What’s your take on the handling of CM Punk’s return to RAW? Are you as let down as many fans are, or do you see a silver lining in the mismanaged return of this wrestling icon? Voice your perspectives in the comments below and let’s keep the conversation going.
