Rumours have swirled about CM Punk's WWE future, with claims on social media that the Second City Saint is planning to leave the company after clashing with TKO executives.
Today, we have an update from Fightful Select. The site revealed that nobody in WWE, among the dozens they've spoken to, has heard anything about Punk wanting out of his WWE contract. Similarly, no one is aware of him being asked to take a pay cut of any sort.
In fact, one source confirms that WWE creative has a storyline in the works for the Best in the World, with new merchandise already being produced ahead of his planned return later this summer.
Interestingly, despite Punk's plans to remain with WWE, there's talk that he could eventually build bridges with AEW, even if he never wrestles for them again. "Never say never" is what the site is hearing about that relationship one day being repaired, though it still doesn't seem overly likely based on how things ended.
In related news, when @WrestleVotes was asked about AJ Lee's status (she's married to CM Punk, remember), the scooper replied, "AJ Lee's not coming back anytime soon."
That's surprising, seeing as she said in April, "I'm so proud of everything I've done before, everything now feels like extra credit. It feels like sprinkles on the sundae. This era is about just enjoying it and being surprised and being able to soak it in and have fun every second. Did not expect a title, did not expect another Mania match. So as long as I'm just sort of here for the ride, I think fun things will come my way."
Still, we knew the former Women's Intercontinental Champion would be working a reduced schedule, so her return—if, indeed, she does come back—may be saved for a potential Wrestlepalooza PLE in September.
Last April, Punk addressed his in-ring future when he said, "Your body’s going to give up on you way before your mind does. You know, so to me, my mind’s never been sharper. I’ve never been more focused. And there is life in wrestling beyond taking bumps and being in the ring. So we’ll see what happens. But I don’t plan on — they’re trying to get me to sign a five-year deal. So I look at that, and I go, 'Guys, I don’t know.'"
Hopefully, CM Punk will be back in time for SummerSlam, where Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes seems a likely opponent based on what happened between them both the last time they crossed paths.