It is approaching nearly two months since CM Punk was last seen on WWE television, and on Tuesday evening, an X user named JCup2013 shared rumors he had heard regarding Punk's absence, which seemed to suggest a potential conflict between Punk and WWE. On Wednesday morning, several others have stepped forward to suggest those rumors are unfounded. False Finish reports that, despite the rumors, Punk is scheduled to return to WWE soon, ahead of SummerSlam this August. PWInsider corroborated this report, stating Punk was set to return within months, and that new merchandise has already been planned for him.Despite this, neither False Finish nor PWinsider provided any information as to why Punk had been off TV since the night after WrestleMania 42, Night Two. However, Wrestlevotes Live on Fightful reports that Punk's absence is no cause for concern, describing it as "rest for that guy that has been going, outside of injury, for three straight years." Like previous reports, it was reiterated that there was no issue between WWE and Punk, and that the former World Heavyweight Champion would be "back in no time, right back on top of the card."During his last appearance on "WWE Raw," Punk was involved in an in-ring segment with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, a segment many believed planted a seed for a future championship match between the two. The segment also featured Punk stating that he "wasn't going on vacation;" given his absence from television since then, Punk's declaration has subsequently fueled speculation that something more could be going on between him and WWE.
There is never a dull CM Punk story, and the rumors surrounding him, and the "killing" of these rumors is no different. In regards to the JCup of it all, my main takeaway is the rumors he presented are irrelevant. I have no idea if they're true or not, and I'm not particularly interested in that. What does interest me is that his rumors were regarding Punk politicking for an unknown happening at WrestleMania, TKO potentially asking Punk for a pay cut, and Punk maybe threatening legal action (or a release) over that, though JCup clearly states the latter point was denied to him. What isn't mentioned though is the idea that WWE has no creative plans for Punk going forward, something all the reports responding to these rumors seem to believe.In fact, of the actual rumors, PWInsider is the only one to address the release rumors (something JCup himself is skeptical of), neither False Finish nor PWInsider could explain Punk's absence, and Wrestlevotes' explanation of "he needed a break" is contradicted by Punk, on television, saying he wasn't going anywhere. Add it all together, and all this has done has left me with more questions than answers.Often, I am of the mindset that two things can be true, and I think this may be the case here. Yes, CM Punk will probably be back on WWE TV at some point this summer, and he'll probably be in a marquee match of sorts. None of that means that there isn't something fishy going on here. Again, the key piece of evidence here is that post-Mania promo Punk had with Rhodes, where he not only said he was going nowhere, but also seemed to set up a match with Rhodes. Unless this is another "WWE Unreal" plot that doesn't stand up under scrutiny, it then makes no sense for Punk to disappear when a) he said he wouldn't and b) he teased a big match.In my opinion, it points to something being up. It doesn't mean it's serious, it doesn't mean it's anything related to the initial rumors, but it just doesn't line up that all is well and there's nothing to see here. Maybe I'm wrong and it is something innocent, a "WWE Unreal" ploy, or WWE just being clueless and not actually having anything for Punk to do. But between the rumors (that were there before JCup went open about it I should add), the reports not entirely addressing the rumors, and the extended absence? It feels like something is afoot.
