“It Was Never Going to ‘Change’”—CM Punk Drops Blunt Truth About Why He’d Never Have Returned Under Vince McMahon
For years, WWE fans wondered what it would take for CM Punk to walk back through those doors. Now, the Second City Saint has made one thing crystal clear—if the old regime was still running the show, that comeback likely never would have happened.
Speaking candidly on the No-Contest Wrestling podcast, Punk didn’t dance around the issue. When asked about his long hiatus from pro wrestling and whether he regrets losing nearly a decade of in-ring time, his answer wasn’t about injuries, MMA, or missed paydays.
It was about power.
CM Punk: “I Don’t Think Anything Was Ever Going to Change”
Punk openly suggested that his return to WWE wouldn’t have been possible if Vince McMahon was still in charge.
“I mean, I’ll just go ahead and say it… Vince was still here. I don’t think anything was ever going to change, for me at least.”
That one line speaks volumes.
For nearly ten years, fans believed creative differences and backstage politics kept Punk away. Now, he’s essentially confirming that the environment simply wasn’t one where he could see himself thriving again.
And considering how dramatically WWE’s leadership structure has shifted in recent years, the timing of his comeback suddenly makes even more sense.
No Regrets—Even After 10 Years Away
Despite missing what many consider his “prime” years, Punk doesn’t seem bitter.
In fact, he sounds at peace.
He admitted there were dream matches left on the table—more work with AJ Styles, more high-profile clashes with John Cena—but he believes he still built a legendary résumé.
“I think I did pretty well.”
It’s hard to argue with that. From WWE Champion to MMA experiment to shocking return pop, Punk’s career arc is unlike anyone else’s in modern wrestling.
The Roman Reigns Comparison That Turned Heads
Punk even made an interesting comparison to Roman Reigns, referencing Reigns’ part-time run as The Tribal Chief.
“Tribal Chief says he graciously scaled back for two years. Well, I graciously stepped back for 10… and it took him that long to become the superstar that he is, so I have no regrets.”
That line feels layered.
Is it playful? Competitive? A subtle challenge?
Either way, it shows Punk isn’t looking back in frustration. He views his hiatus as strategic—not wasted.
From Controversial Exit to WrestleMania Main Events
After nearly a decade away from WWE, Punk returned to headline WrestleMania—a milestone many believed would never happen. And now, he’s reportedly on track to do it again.
The irony? The absence that once looked like career suicide may have become the greatest long-term move of his life.
Because when he came back, he didn’t just return.
He returned on his terms.
CM Punk’s comments pull back the curtain on one of wrestling’s biggest “what if” stories. And if there’s one thing clear now, it’s this:
His comeback wasn’t just about timing.
It was about change.
