Image from CM Punk – WWE Universe Facebook
The WWE has announced that CM Punk has not been released and is still under contract with them. Internet reports suggested that Punk was released from WWE last Friday and was a free man. It was speculated both parties came to an agreement to an early release from his contract, which was due to expire until July.
WWE has come forward and said those reports were false, and Punk still remains under contract. This means Punk is technically still a part of the WWE until his contract expires in July. It appears that Vince McMahon is using all the time he can get to convince Punk to come back and leave in a more graceful way.
Stone Cold Steve Austin walked out in similar fashion back in 2002. It took McMahon seven months to convince Austin to come back, and he did. Austin pretty much retired in a more positive way as he wrestled his last match against the Rock at WrestleMania XIX.
Punk has been wrestling for two decades and he’s pretty banged up. Even though he’s annoyed with the company’s direction right now, his damaged body is another main reason he walked out before his contract expired. I’m sure McMahon feels Punk should receive a better sendoff as it would be better for the fans too. Edge bowed out from wrestling back in 2011 and everyone respected his decision. The way Punk left the company has taken a toll on both the fans and the WWE.
It will be interesting to see what McMahon can do when the WWE rolls into Chicago in March. I’m sure he’d like to have a big meeting with Punk to negotiate a way for him to exit the company more gracefully.
As of right now, Punk’s Facebook page is still up and he is still featured on the WWE’s website as an active member of the roster. This clearly shows he is still “officially” under contract with WWE even though he’s no longer working for them.
