Despite the internet buzzing last week over rumors that CM Punk was going to return at the Chicago episode of RAW on Monday, the "Best in the World" didn't show up, and while the WWE finally addressed his absence on air during promos, there is a reason he wasn't buried by the company on the program.
According to Wrestlingheadlines.com, the original script for Monday's RAW called for Bad News Barrett to come out and tell the Chicago crowd that there was bad news and that it had to do with the fact that Punk, their hometown hero, wouldn't be attending the show.
The report indicates that the angle was nixed because WWE CEO and Chairman Vince McMahon, who has wanted to get Punk back for weeks, doesn't want to bury Punk publicly. The WWE is still holding out hope that Punk will return mostly due to the relationship they've built with him that has led to him being one of the company's top merchandise movers and the WWE investing time and money into licensing things around his character.
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McMahon also reportedly really likes Punk as a person and according to the report, the chairman is hopeful that Punk will get his head on straight and return to the WWE. It's also said that Punk has momentum due to his strong relationship with McMahon, however his ability to return whenever he wants will lessen once Triple H has more strength.
Punk hasn't been seen on WWE television since the Royal Rumble on Jan. 26 as he stormed out on the company prior to the following night's live Monday Night RAW taping reportedly due to his frustration with his place in the company as well as being burned out from the road.
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Punk's contract doesn't expire until July, so he's not free to do what he wants quite yet and he hasn't talked publicly about his departure--which the WWE finally addressed on-camera in Chicago Monday--since he walked out.
Punk has always dreamed of headlining WrestleMania, and he was upset at a rumored match with Triple H at WrestleMania XXX on April 6 in New Orleans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, which also factored into him leaving. Punk was upset about The Rock and Batista headlining the biggest show of the year the past couple of years while he and Daniel Bryan work all-year-round and are put in the midcard.
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Bryan has taken Punk's spot in the feud with Triple H that will likely culminate in Bryan vs. Triple H in New Orleans.
Many people believe that Punk has given the impression that he is done with the company, so the "Best in the World" is likely not returning to the WWE.
Was CM Punk right to walk out on the WWE? Tell us on Twitter: @SportsWN, @MikeSmollins
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