CM Punk disclosed an unexpected handshake agreement with WWE in 2018 or 2019 during a recent podcast appearance, revealing how the deal collapsed when Vince McMahon ultimately ghosted him. This revelation offers new insight into a period before Punk’s official WWE comeback in 2023, following his departure from AEW after a seven-year absence from WWE.
Although rumors had circulated about a possible reunion during that time, many assumed Punk’s connection with WWE was limited to his role on the short-lived WWE Backstage show produced by FOX for FS1. However, Punk’s discussion with Barstool Sports host Robbie Fox on the My Mom’s Basement podcast clarified that the groundwork for his return was initiated years before the FOX show, involving direct contact with Vince McMahon and Triple H.
How the WWE Handshake Agreement Came to Be
Punk described a secret meeting with Vince McMahon and Triple H that took place at the Borgata casino in Atlantic City, which led to a handshake agreement for him to rejoin WWE. The meeting reportedly happened because McMahon began calling Punk directly, bypassing his agents. Despite initial reluctance from Punk, McMahon’s persistence led to negotiations.
“I think the Twitter and the internet perception is I tried to go back to WWE and they didn’t want me, so I did the FOX show. That’s not what happened at all. I had a hilarious clandestine meeting in the Borgata in Atlantic City with Vince [McMahon] and Triple H… I don’t even know. What is it, 2025 now? This had to be 2018 or 2019. It started because Vince just started calling me. I had agents telling me, ‘Hey, they want to talk to you.’ And I was like, ‘Whatever, I’m not interested.’ Then Vince just started calling me directly. He was like, ‘Hey, I’m eliminating the middleman. We gotta…’ and I was just like, ‘This is insane’… We had a meeting. We had a handshake agreement…and then he ghosted me. So, that’s why it didn’t happen. Unbelievable. I’m gonna write a book someday… It’s a great story. It’s a fantastic story.”
—CM Punk, Professional Wrestler and Podcast Guest
The unexpected breakdown after the handshake left Punk without a deal, leading him to take a panelist job on WWE Backstage instead. He emphasized that the situation contradicted common online assumptions about why he ended up there rather than back in the ring with WWE.
Punk’s Attitude and Expectations During Negotiations
Despite past grievances, Punk stated he was willing to return simply for compensation, having moved past the personal issues that initially drove him away from WWE in 2014. His approach was pragmatic, prioritizing payment over lingering disputes.
“I was very much just like, ‘Yeah, okay. Pay me’, whatever. I took some stuff personally. Like, years have gone by. Alright, I’m over it, recognized that it’s a business. You don’t want me to take it personally? Just pay me.”
—CM Punk, Professional Wrestler and Podcast Guest
Significance of the Meeting Toward Mending Past Tensions
Punk noted that the meeting also marked the beginning of a gradual resolution of issues between him and Triple H. Although it did not produce immediate results, this interaction laid important groundwork for Punk’s eventual WWE return in 2023.
“That was probably the first time that me and Triple H started chipping away at any problems or drama that we had in the past. That was the first instance.”
—CM Punk, Professional Wrestler and Podcast Guest
The full insights from this discussion will be available in the My Mom’s Basement podcast episode released on July 21, providing wrestling fans with a detailed look into the behind-the-scenes negotiations and Punk’s state of mind during that period.
What This Means for WWE and CM Punk’s Legacy
This revelation adds a new layer to CM Punk’s complex relationship with WWE, highlighting a missed opportunity that contributed to his extended absence from the company. Revealing how Vince McMahon’s unreliability affected the deal also offers a glimpse into WWE’s internal dynamics and decision-making processes during that era.
For CM Punk, these previously unknown negotiations underscore his willingness to reconcile past conflicts to return on his own terms. The handshake deal and subsequent “ghosting” might explain why his next official WWE tenure came much later, emphasizing the fragility of trust in the wrestling industry.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did CM Punk apologize?
A. CM Punk said sorry to fans in Saudi Arabia for his controversial tweet before WWE Night of Champions. When he showed up at the kickoff event, the crowd booed him. A fan yelled something at Punk, and he took a moment to reply. During this time, Punk also talked about his previous tweet about The Miz.
Q. Does CM Punk support LGBTQ?
A. Punk strongly supports trans rights both in the wrestling ring and outside of it. In 2023, during his short time at AEW, he spoke out for LGBTQ+ individuals. Punk calls himself the “Voice of the Voiceless.”
Q. Was CM Punk actually hurt?
A. Although it seemed like Punk was injured, his fall was planned. On the other hand, McIntyre got a real injury needing 16 stitches.
Q. Why doesn’t CM Punk talk to his brother?
A. CM Punk’s brother, Mike Broox, discussed how he took money from Lunatic Wrestling Federation. This incident caused their relationship to end over two decades ago.
