CM Punk returned to WWE after nearly a decade away from the company. That Survivor Series return brought Chicago fans to a frenzy, but he wasn't the only return that night.
Looking Back At CM Punk's WWE Survivor Series Return
Randy Orton needed back fusion surgery in 2022, a fact that cost him 18 months of in-ring competition. The Apex Predator also returned at Survivor Series, where he helped his team win the WarGames match. Then CM Punk returned to steal the spotlight.
While speaking to Rewind, Recap, Relive, Heath Slater discussed CM Punk's return to WWE. He saw it as a very cool moment, but he also feels as though it overshadowed Randy Orton's return to the ring.
I mean it's a thing in the wrestling world with the fans and the popularity of it. I mean, it's a cool moment. Come on, man, it's been a decade pretty much. It's a cool moment."
"Do I wish that they would have done it at WarGames? No, because I feel that Randy should have had a great moment, too."
"Because Randy is amazing. He's one of those Hall of Famers, icons, legends. If you sculpt out what a Superstar should be, it's Randy. I feel like it overshadowed Randy's moment. But, it was a cool moment, of course."
"The whole backstage drama BS drama, it's there. We all know it's there. How will it be handled now? Who knows? I guess we'll see. He can burn bridges, but he can re-build them. Who knows? Who the hell knows? For the fans and the people who watch WWE, cool moment."
Heath Slater went on to say that CM Punk "always stuck with himself a lot," even as leader of the new Nexus faction. Still, Slater had good things to say about CM Punk's return to WWE being a cool moment. He might have decided against running that return right after Randy Orton's first match in 18 months.
CM Punk's WWE Return So Far
CM Punk's return to WWE has been a financially successful decision. He is selling a truckload of merchandise, his name is trending, and Warner Bros Discovery may have re-entered the discussion for RAW's next television deal just because of his return.
The jury is still out on whether CM Punk can avoid those backstage issues that he's known for. As it stands right now, CM Punk's homecoming is going just fine.
