Nearly a year has passed since CM Punk made his dramatic return to WWE at the end of Survivor Series 2023. The anticipation was high, especially since the event was held in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Despite rampant rumors, Punk had not yet signed a contract with WWE on the day of the show. In a revealing interview with “No-Contest Wrestling,” Punk shared the intense final moments leading up to his return.
“I was just sitting there, and they were starting the WarGames match,” Punk recalled. “I didn’t have a deal yet, and we were at the end of the show. The lawyers were going back and forth, and then Triple H walked in and said, ‘If this gets done, we’ll bring you in through Gorilla when the time is right.’ I just said, ‘Okay, great.’ The contracts got signed, and it was time. I took a deep breath, opened the door, and walked through Gorilla.”
Punk described the chaotic atmosphere moments before his surprise return. With almost no instructions about his on-screen role, he remained in the dark even as his music hit. A brief, heated exchange with Triple H in the Gorilla Position led to a spontaneous decision: Punk would simply walk out and stand at the top of the ramp to close the show. This unexpected move visibly upset Seth Rollins, who was not pleased with the sudden change.
This behind-the-scenes look at CM Punk’s return highlights the unpredictable and high-stakes nature of professional wrestling, where even the biggest stars often have to navigate last-minute decisions and intense backstage dynamics.
