Fightful Wrestling Weekly 11/27: Looking Back At The Week's Stories (Patreon)

CM Punk has returned to WWE, to the shock of many even in the company.

CM Punk returned at Survivor Series, at the end of the show in a closely guarded, and quickly put together secret. Fightful was told on November 19 that CM Punk and Triple H had a very productive, hour-long conversation that mended fences between the two. Word from Punk's side of that conversation reflected that of what Triple H said at the post-show press conference. Fightful had posted in our Punk FAQ that Punk had claimed there were some conversations. To clarify, at the time, the Punk/Triple H conversation was single sourced, and not appropriate to run. We did note to WWE reps the information we'd heard in an effort to confirm it.

Triple H confirmed Fightful's previous reports that talks had not happened between the two sides until rumors heavily died down, and it actually didn't look like a deal was happening. At the post-show presser, Triple H said that any reports of a deal prior were purely speculation, and that it came together very quickly. WWE confirmed the official agreement happened today, and sources near Punk claimed that as of Saturday morning. no contract was signed.

Punk had told select people close to him that the return was happening.

Minutes before Punk appeared, a section of backstage was cleared out, but Punk was seen in plain sight. We're told that Triple H took over producing the show himself at that point, called for the copyright graphic, and then also personally called for CM Punk's music to hit, per Cory Brennan of Fightful

Producers, referees, staff, talent, and even head writers on the creative team were not told. Fightful's Cory Brennan had heard word that Triple H, Bruce Prichard and Michael Hayes needed to discuss a change to the main event, but we weren't told specifically if that was Punk related.

As it pertains to the main event talent being upset, there are numerous talent on the roster in general upset, just as there are some excited, curious and about every emotion. Talent were pulled aside before the WarGames match and told that CM Punk would be returning at the conclusion of the show. At least one talent claimed legitimately to be upset by the return of Punk, and both Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins looked visibly angry.

We haven't confirmed whether or not those were actual reactions, but they were at least claimed to be, for obvious reasons.  Seth Rollins had to be restrained by Michael Cole, Corey Graves and others. Backstage, Seth Rollins was in gorilla and had to be ushered away by Triple H and Michael Cole, as he was looking for CM Punk. We're told that Punk looked confused and it was an awkward scene. One person noted that this was likely a work by Seth Rollins that he didn't feel the need to let CM Punk in on..

Drew McIntyre was said to have been visibly upset backstage, leaving the venue, slamming the locker room door and cursing as he left. McIntyre specifically had been frustrated by some spots in the match not happening as planned among other things, and that it wasn't part of a work, and that he was selling to the back to maintain some professionalism.

Due to the nature of the situation and pro wrestling, obviously we're cognizant of the possibility of both of these being a work.

WWE reiterated that any perceived references from the likes of Shinsuke Nakamura, or on commentary were not with the knowledge this deal was in place. "Whether it be Nakamura, USA Network twitter account, or anyone that said he was coming back prior to last week, none of them knew because Punk didn't know," said one source close to Punk. "He even said himself that nobody claiming that they knew the situation fully really did." 

There was one top talent that told Fightful that they understood the surprise aspect of the situation, but felt like Triple H could lose some trust among many people that he worked to build it with. 

The reactions weren't all negative, we're told that the reactions of some were filmed for possible digital content, and there were at least a couple of CM Punk's old friends that greeted him upon returning backstage. Kofi Kingston and Bayley were among some of the names that we heard of. 

Some additional notes

CM Punk has made his WWE return, and we'll go through some of the news circulating.

- Regarding Drew McIntyre, he was legit upset after his match, but it was related to things broader than CM Punk. We'll work to find out more. As far as Seth Rollins, most people in the company believe he doesn't like CM Punk, but is wise enough to capitalize on that by working heavily.

- Those we spoke to claimed that Vince McMahon wasn't involved in the decision making of CM Punk coming back to WWE, and instead it was a Nick Khan/Triple H call. Vince McMahon had once shot the idea down of CM Punk coming back to the company when Fox wanted him for Smackdown.

- For those asking about what the AEW reaction has been, there's been almost none that we've heard from. Tony Khan was more concerned with the immediate future of Katsuyori Shibata Saturday ngiht.

- There was talk of Punk being a "free agent," but he is scheduled for WWE Raw.

- Much of WWE Raw was already planned without CM Punk, so rewrites for the show are in order to fit him in.

- Regarding any references on TV or Shinsuke Nakamura, Punk was not planned to be brought in when those started. The angle could certainly be adjusted to include Punk, but it wasn't at the time. There aren't many people who know what Nakamura's current program is.

- While there was word elsewhere that CM Punk and Triple H's talks all happened within the last week. At least as of the Sunday prior to Survivor Series, we'd heard of them having a conversation to "mend fences."

- PWInsider noted that Punk had been made an offer by TNA Wrestling. Ibou of Wrestlepurists had said this weeks ago, and it's true. We'll have more on that this week.

- Many in TKO actually found out while watching WWE Survivor Series.

- The claim from those within WWE is that it's a multi-year agreement. We still haven't confirmed that the deal has been physically signed, though some other outlets have reported that.

- Fightful's Corey Brennan has heard that Triple H was anxiously telling the cameraman on headset to get a shot of CM Punk from behind with the crowd in the background. This is why the approach on that shot was a little awkward

- WWE used Punk's old titantron video for his appearance.

- For those asking about Peacock having a CM Punk playlist ready, we're told those don't take long to put together. 

Shibata

Katsuyori Shibata will be taking some time away from ROH.

Katsuyori Shibata dropped the ROH Pure Championship to Wheeler Yuta on the November 25 episode of AEW. The title change came after Yuta confronted Shibata on the November 25 episode of AEW. The loss to Yuta will set up Shibata to take some time away. Per AEW officials, Shibata has to return to Japan for an extended period as soon as possible, and he could not wait until ROH Final Battle to leave.

Shibata was said to be high on the idea of Yuta stealing the title and teasing that he was going to try to injure Shibata's brain before HOOK saved him to create some drama but not put him out for good. The idea was that the attack would do just enough that ROH would be forced to give Shibata an extended No Contact period before he can return to action as a precaution.

Sources said that Shibata's absence was something ROH hoped he could put off until after ROH Final Battle, but it was confirmed earlier in the week that it was not possible for him to stay that long. As a result, ROH and Shibata worked out the plan this week, and Shibata was said to love the idea. Shibata has said he is happy in AEW and has liked teaming with HOOK and Orange Cassidy. It is not known when Shibata will return to ROH.

Shibata was previously forced to retire after he suffered a subdural hematoma in 2017. After he returned to the ring, he made his AEW debut at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2022.  Shibata beat Wheeler Yuta to win the ROH Pure Championship at ROH Supercard of Honor 2023. He also competed at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2023, and he has wrestled on AEW Dynamite and ROH TV.

Hammerstone

Alex Hammerstone returned to MLW at Fightland…sort of.

Hammerstone returned to MLW, joining World Titan Federation, with it being noted that he was able to secure his “release from MLW.” This led to many people suspecting and even outright proclaiming that the entire situation was a work, which it wasn’t and isn’t.

Hammerstone clarified on his Twitter, that coming back to do the World Titan Federation angle helped secure him his release. We’re told that is actually true, and that Hammerstone reached an agreement with MLW to work this angle and finish up at the end of 2023. The deal was put together just days before Fightland.

Throughout the night at Fightland, Hammerstone was kept under wraps and he wasn't even in the building throughout the night. He entered the arena once the Alex Kane vs. Jacob Fatu match started, and was listed as "WTF OUTSIDER" on run sheets.

Assuming no deal is reached to keep Hammerstone in the company, he will be a free agent in 2024. Hammerstone was actually tentatively slated to join the WTF stable earlier this year at one point.

Dante Martin

Some great news for a promising young AEW star.

Fightful Select has learned that Top Flight’s Dante Martin was backstage at a recent AEW show, and is nearing a return from injury. Martin suffered a gruesome injury at a March ROH PPV during a Canadian Destroyer to the outside of the ring through a table.

In July, Ian Riccaboni said on commentary that Dante Martin was ahead of schedule and was healing up. Dante’s brother Darius has been extremely active, especially on the ROH brand working both singles and teaming with Action Andretti.

We haven’t learned of any creative plans for him as of yet.

Swerve/Hangman

Hangman Page and Swerve Strickland captured the attention of the AEW audience at Full Gear during their Texas Death Match.

One particular spot that got a lot of attention, for better or worse, was Hangman Page drinking Swerve's blood, then spitting it out. It led to many questions as to whether or not the spot was planned, and/or approved.

We can confirm that the day following AEW Full Gear, Fightful was informed that the spot was planned and pitched by the participants, and was approved by the match producer. We're told that people within AEW were very happy how the match was received and executed.

Marq Quen

Things are looking up for an AEW talent who has been sidelined for a year.

The last time we saw Marq Quen of Private Party was last November in a loss to Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal. Unfortunately, he’s been out of action for nearly a full year, which led Isiah Kassidy to team with the likes of the Hardys and Ethan Page. Even then. Kassidy has only worked a couple of dozen matches during that period himself.

We’re told Quen was backstage at a recent AEW show, and AEW is hopeful that he could return sooner than later. Quen sustained a shoulder injury and had been in a sling for quite some time. It’s worth noting that even if cleared, we aren’t sure if any creative plans are in order. There have been situations like Thunder Rosa where talent have been ready and were just awaiting creative.

AEW Fight Forever

AEW Fight Forever news keeps rolling in.

Recently, Fightful Select reported that not only were there plans to continue producing DLC and content on the AEW Fight Forever, but that a couple of wrestlers had been scanned for use in the game for the future.

We can confirm that Saraya was among the recently scanned talent and there are talks of adding her to the game. We haven’t heard a timetable on this, or if it’s a definite, but she was scanned.

WWE signings

Brogan Finlay isn’t the only recently signed WWE talent at the WWE Performance Center last week.

Finlay recently had a WWE tryout, and as BodySlam reported and Fightful Select confirmed that he’d been signed. PWInsider reported last Tuesday that Finlay was at the WWE Performance Center.

Fightful Select learned that Jay Malachi and Lucky Ali were both also slated to be at the WWE Performance Center this past week after their WWE tryouts, in addition to Madi Wrenkowski being reported as signed by PWInsider. All are expected to start full time at the WWE Performance Center in mid-December.

Many of the PC talent are home with their families this week, after doing a double NXT taping last week.

Juice

Some unfortunate news for an AEW star.

Fightful Select has confirmed that Bullet Club Gold member Juice Robinson is slated to be out of action for the immediate future. Robinson was absent from this weekend’s AEW Full Gear in Los Angeles, as he’s dealing with an injury.

Fightful confirmed that Robinson sustained a back injury, and it will require surgery to fix it. We’re not sure exactly when Robinson sustained the injury, but he last competed on the November 1 episode of AEW Dynamite, where Bullet Club Gold defeated MJF & The Acclaimed. In the week since publishing this, we're told this is something that Juice Robinson had been dealing with for quite some time. 

We weren’t given a specific timetable, but were told he’s likely done in the ring for the year, though it wasn’t expected to be an extremely drawn out absence, barring setbacks.

MLW

- Everyone was happy with the 48 minute Alex Kane vs. Jacob Fatu title match at MLW Fightland, we're told. Kane got busted open hardway but didn't require stitches.

- World Titan Federation shirts went on sale for MLW last week and have been a top seller since the angle.

- The new Máscara Dorada blew a lot of people away in MLW. He will be a regular going forward in the company as they look to freshen up the roster.

- Second Gear Crew vs. RSP and AKIRA had their blowoff match. RSP and The Calling are set to feud with AKIRA into the new year.

- Indie star Josh Bishop will be a regular in MLW going forward, and joined WTF. There will be more "outsiders" joining the group.

Select Portions

- Talent that we've spoken to have not been informed as to the context of Shinsuke Nakamura's callouts

WWE Survivor Series WarGames:

Producers

- Women's Wargames: TJ Wilson, Petey Williams and Nick Aldis

- Gunther vs. Miz: Shane Helms

- Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar: Shawn Daivari

- Rhea Ripley vs. Zoey Stark: Jason Jordan

- Men's Wargames: Michael Hayes, Jamie Noble, and Bobby Roode.

- - Randy Orton's reveal was done intentionally as to not make fans believe CM Punk would be the partner.

- Fightful confirmed that while there was a tease of Randy Orton being taken out of the match, he was still planned for Survivor Series, and had been in the ring working out his spot.

- Stephanie McMahon was in Chicago at the show. She was said to be hanging out and visiting, as opposed to being there in a work capacity.

Stephanie McMahon stepped down from her role in. WWE in January. We've not heard of her being around much outside of Wrestlemania weekend.

WWE Raw Producers

- Drew McIntyre promo: Michael Hayes & Bobby Roode

- Raquel Rodriguez vs. Nia Jax: Jason Jordan

- Becky Lynch vs. Xia Li: TJ Wilson

- Johnny Gargano vs. Ludwig Kaiser: Shawn Daivari

- Women's Tag Contender: Petey Williams & Nick Aldis

- Miz vs. Gunther: Shane Helms

- Chad Gable vs. Shinsuke Nakamura: Abyss

- Jey Uso vs. Drew McIntyre: Michael Hayes and Bobby Roode

Main Event producers:

- Apollo Crews vs. Myles Borne: Bobby Roode

- Von Wagner vs. Joe Coffey: Nick Aldis

WWE Smackdown Producers

- Becky, Charlotte, Bianca, Shotzi promo: Kenny Dykstra and Molly Holly

- Judgment Day vs. Street Profits: Jason Jordan

- Kevin Owens & LA Knight vs. Theory & Waller: Michael Hayes

- Carlito Promo, Santos Escobar: Jason Jordan

- Brawling Brutes vs. Pretty Deadly: Jamie Noble

- Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair vs. Bayley & Asuka: Kenny Dykstra & Molly Holly

Dark Matches: 

- Karrion Kross vs. Cedric Alexander: Nick Aldis

- Raquel Rodriguez vs. Rhea Ripley: Jason Jordan

- Cody Rhdoes & Seth Rollins vs. Judgment Day: Jason Jordan