What are the chances CM Punk ever returns to wrestling?

[Everlong]

So we know at this point there's basically zero shot he ever fights in UFC again. Whether he goes to Bellator or elsewhere for MMA, who knows. I don't think there's a whole lot of hope for his fighting career, though.

This means there are a couple options for him moving forward. Either he returns to the wrestling business in some capacity, or he retires from wrestling/fighting sports altogether and focuses his energy elsewhere.

Does anyone see any chance of him ever coming back to wrestling, even if it's not the WWE? After a couple years away , maybe he'd be more open to a return. But on the other hand, the experiences of his final couple years in WWE seem to have really soured him on the business, and he's got a family at home now.

[Messiah]

I think he'll probably return to wrestling at some point. But I don't think there is any chance he returns to the WWE. Not a good chance, anyway. I don't see Punk as someone who will be willing to sacrifice his pride (whether it is misplaced or not) and considering the lawsuit between the two sides, it would take a lot. Especially seeing as with the more time passes, the more Triple H is in control of who is hired/re-hired. Odds of Punk returning are a lot better as long as Vince is in control.

[Circled Square]

If the money starts drying up, sure.

[Str8Shooter]

I used to think there was a good chance but I'm starting to change my mind. The weird thing is the latest is he's talking like he wants to fight MMA again, which may be a bad idea.

I think the biggest paydays left on the table for him are in pro wrestling now. I don't think he's hurting for money....yet, but he's young and I'm not sure how many years before writing the odd comic book and going to hockey games is going to get boring for him.

The thing is the biggest payday is in WWE but Punk is a proud guy and he won't come back unless it looks like he "won" and they begged him and paid him very well. He could go to New Japan but I'm not sure those grueling tours are something he's interested in so far away from home.

[Headlesspete]

50/50 i think.

There's so many guys who we never thought would step inside a WWE ring (Sting, Goldburg, Brock at various points) so i can;t rule it out. But from all he's said, WWE would need to beg for him to return, and even then it would have to be for him to return in a way he wants.

i don't think Punk cares about the money, it was all about respect.

[KaiserGlider]

Not for many years, but I'll be shocked if he doesn't eventually come back to good terms with them and do a few appearances like Brock/Goldberg/Sting and everyone else has, and then get the Hall of Fame - even if he's an old man by then.

[EmperorWu]

I think he's too proud to accept how much of a hypocrite he would be if he came back for a one off, or part time, and I think he hates the WWE too much to come back full time again. So I don't see him coming back at all. But who knows.

[AkydefGoldberg]

From his last interview, it seems he's wanting - and he could get - another shot in the UFC or he certainly isn't keen to end his MMA career so quickly, which I admire and hope he succeeds.

I don't see him returning at all unless HHH disappears from his role or he gets on his knees to Punk to ask him to return which is unlikely (HHH is hoping for the day when it's Punk on his knees asking for his old job back!)

Punk is hardly struggling financially or needs to keep his name out there so he'll be fine.

[PorkChop]

I don't think he'll ever return. If he does, it won't be in any sort of full-time capacity and it certainly won't be for WWE.

[Viazon]

Crazier things have happened in the WWE.

[Everlong]

I don't think he'll ever return. If he does, it won't be in any sort of full-time capacity and it certainly won't be for WWE.

How ironic would it be if Punk came back to the WWE in a part-time capacity?

[PorkChop]

I don't think he'll ever return. If he does, it won't be in any sort of full-time capacity and it certainly won't be for WWE.

How ironic would it be if Punk came back to the WWE in a part-time capacity?

To be honest, that would be great. He's get SO MUCH heat for it.

[AkydefGoldberg]

I don't think he'll ever return. If he does, it won't be in any sort of full-time capacity and it certainly won't be for WWE.

How ironic would it be if Punk came back to the WWE in a part-time capacity?

Part-time and a main event slot at WrestleMania.