Backstage Update on WWE Forcing Extension of CM Punk’s Contract

As we reported just a few days ago here at WrestlingRumors.net, CM Punk’s contract with World Wrestling Entertainment is set to expire this month. There are no plans for the company to renew it at this time.

When Rey Mysterio’s contract expired back in May, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon renewed his deal for a year because he felt Rey “owes them time” after being on the shelf for so long.

Rumors began to circulate that McMahon would do the same to Punk and keep him on the payroll in order to prevent him from working for any other companies.

According to a report by F4WOnline.com, the belief in WWE is that it wouldn’t be in their best interest to do such a thing, so it likely won’t be happening.

Punk will serve as a red carpet host for the Gibson Brands AP Music Awards on July 21. That’s proof in the pudding that WWE will not keep Punk because if that was their plan, he wouldn’t be allowed to work such a gig.

The return of AJ Lee (Punk’s wife) has got fans talking again about the former “Straight-Edge Superstar”  and whether or not he’ll be tagging along, but it looks like that won’t be the case.

Since Punk (real name: Phil Brooks) has the rights to the “CM Punk” name, he’ll be able to use it for television appearances (like AMC’s Talking Dead) in the near future.

Editor’s Note

All of these stories would go away if Punk would just make an official statement on the matter. Don’t hold your breath, though.

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