Top Rope Report: Why CM Punk won't return to the WWE
If you're waiting on CM Punk to return to the WWE, don't hold your breath.
Now this isn't to say that he won't come back for a single match sometime down the road – which is still unlikely – or one day patch things up enough that he makes appearances. But there really isn't much reason to expect him to make a return as a full-time participant.
Punk, now known by his real name, Phil Brooks, in UFC competition, would certainly be an asset to the company, especially as a draw for viewers both at home and in the arena.
The reason that probably won't happen, though, is also a large part of the reason he left in the first place: pride.
Pride of Punk
This doesn't place the blame directly on Punk, by any means. Vince McMahon, Triple H and the rest of the WWE executive team most likely let their own pride get in the way when dealing with Punk. At the same time, though, Brooks himself often gives off the impression that he thinks he's the smartest guy in every situation, and everyone else is just bumbling through life.
That will make a return difficult. Punk would likely come into any negotiating scenario as though he was the one on the high ground while the WWE was in a bad spot, but that isn't the case. The WWE roster is as deep and as talented as it's ever been, from home-grown veterans like John Cena and Randy Orton to recent signings like AJ Styles and Samoa Joe to the current faces of the company like Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins.
Sure, Punk would add to that, but the WWE is in a great place right now. There's no reason to bend over backward for a man who has been vocal with his sometimes sharp criticism, particularly when you already have guys like The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar on special part-time contracts.