CM Punk hoped to make a return to WWE earlier this year and had his sights set on the 'Prizefighter' Kevin Owens.

Punk infamously walked out of WWE following the 2014 Royal Rumble match, and would be served his termination papers on his wedding day (a complete coincidence according to Vince McMahon.) Comments during an episode of the Art of Wrestling podcast would earn Punk and friend/podcast host Colt Cabana a defamation lawsuit by WWE physician Dr. Chris Amann. While Punk/Cabana would win, a dispute over legal fees would ultimately end their decades-long friendship.

With CM Punk's release from AEW last week, many have questioned where Punk could go next, and attention has turned towards WWE. Fightful Select reports that last December, during his first suspension from AEW, Punk was open to the idea of leaving and even encouraged the idea so he could make a WWE return.

Punk reportedly wanted to appear during the 2023 Royal Rumble event in January. Fightful said they had not heard any traction to WWE having interest in Punk, or if AEW was entertaining the idea of giving Punk a release.

One rumored idea, which was not confirmed by Punk or his 'camp' was that Punk would return at the Royal Rumble, and work a match at WrestleMania against the person who eliminated him.

Word within WWE was that Kevin Owens was the name thrown around. Owens would headline the Saturday show, teaming with Sami Zayn to capture the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships from The Usos. One source said that Owens was not a part of the pitch, but that name did make it back to several in the locker room.

CM Punk didn't return to WWE in January of this year, and a comeback at this stage in his career will likely be easier said than done. Punk reportedly still has "major heat" with multiple top Superstars in WWE.

Seth Rollins called Punk a "cancer " earlier this year due to the ex-AEW star's actions following All Out 2022. The reigning WWE World Heavyweight Champion also instructed Punk to stay away from WWE. Following his segment with Jey Uso at WWE Payback 2023, Grayson Waller referenced Punk's release from AEW on Twitter.