PWInsider.com is providing backstage information on why CM Punk has not been buried on WWE television. With Punk not scheduled to appear on WWE programming anytime soon, many people are asking why Vince McMahon has yet to belittle Punk for walking out on the company and his fans, as they did when “Stone Cold” Steve Austin left the company in the same manner in 2002.
Punk not being in Chicago for “Monday Night Raw” on March 3, WWE Creative originally had a Bad News Barrett segment planned where Barrett would ascend on his lift and tell the Chicago fans that he had “bad news” in regards to CM Punk. He then would have announced Punk would not be there or that Punk truly is gone for good.
This creative segment was scrapped just before “Monday Night Raw” went live because McMahon is refusing to bury Punk in public. Due to Punk’s involvement in the WWE brand, (merchandise, action figures, video packages) McMahon is still hoping that Punk will come back to the company soon and that he and WWE can figure out how to work together throughout the future. He makes WWE money, and McMahon does not want that to end.
Rumor has it that Punk has some leverage in terms of negotiating a return merely because he will only work with or speak to McMahon during this situation. As we previously reported, McMahon is the one that wants Punk back, so he is the one reaching out to and sweet talking Punk in hopes of a return. Triple H was said to have been angered at Punk’s actions, just as he was toward’s Austin’s walk out of the company in ’02, which is why McMahon will not let him negotiate anything further with Punk.
However, as McMahon’s power continues to be transferred to Triple H and Stephanie, it would be wise on Punk’s part to come back and mend bridges while McMahon is still in the big chair. If he waits to try and return after McMahon is gone, things just may not work out for the Second City Saint.