CM Punk is making his official debut on WWE Backstage tonight. He has been away from wrestling for nearly 6 years and this will technically be his return back to WWE. Although he isn’t working for WWE, he will be discussing all things WWE on a regular basis. I’m excited to see him back and I know it would be a sore spot to some if he returns, but I think that is the large minority of fans. Most fans want to see him back in at least one more match and I want to discuss who I think he would face, but only if he returns back to action.

I have to be perfectly honest, while he was competing, Punk was never one of my favorite competitors, but as I got older I realized just how good he was and I respected him a lot more. He was great on promos and in the ring and he was truly missed by fans and by the WWE after he was gone. The competitors that I think he should compete against are only going to be WWE, because I assume that he would return to WWE if he does return.

The first superstars that I want to say are two guys that I really view as having the same chance to face Punk. Those two guys are Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. At this point in their careers, even though their styles are a lot different, they are very similar and I think either one would put on a tremendous match against Punk. If I recall correctly, Punk’s last storyline in WWE was with The Shield, so he would literally pick up right where he left off. Punk was an integral part of The Shield coming to WWE and this would be a neat story to bring back up. Either competitor would be a great matchup and I think it could be one that the WWE universe would get behind.

Next, I wanted to pick a good heel that Punk has never faced before and I think I have just the guy. King Corbin. Now hear me out, a lot of people would be totally against this idea, but this matchup would be great for both Punk and certainly for Corbin. I’ve heard nothing but great things from people that have worked with Corbin and from veterans who know what it takes to be a great performer. Let’s be honest though, whoever Punk faces, Punk will come out to overwhelming cheers, but having someone getting booed as much as Punk would be getting cheered would be ideal. I think Corbin is the perfect person for that task.

The next and last guy on my list is someone that probably has the highest odds of a match with Punk, if he returns. The other competitors have a decent shot to be Punk’s opponent, but I think Triple H will be the guy that he faces. From what we hear, Triple H and Punk did not have a great relationship around the time when Punk left the WWE and that is big here. If WWE wants a big fight feel, this would be the direction to go. It was reported that Punk was going to face Triple H at WrestleMania XXX, but Punk didn’t agree to the match. There were clearly various reasons as to why the match didn’t happen, but they can capture lightning in a bottle here. Another thing that isn’t necessary, but something that could make it more interesting would be if both competitors put their in-ring careers on the line. Triple H did this in his last match at WrestleMania 35 against Batista, but this could be a perfect way out for him. This would all fall back on if Triple H is ready to hang it up, because he is currently 50 and I don’t know how many more main event matches he has left in him. On the same note however, this could be a one-off for Punk. A lot of people would be disappointed with that outcome, but one that could realistically happen. In the past, he was very clear about his intentions to stay out of the ring and if he gets a huge payday to retire for good, it would make sense. However, I think if this match happens, Punk goes over and keeps the door open for future appearances.

I don’t want to be one of those guys saying that it is inevitable that Punk will return to the ring, because I don’t think that is the case. People seem to forget that professional wrestling is very dangerous and that is a big reason why Punk left in the first place. At the moment, I would give it a 20% chance of a return for Punk and honestly, I think that may be a little high. Would I be shocked if he returns? No, but I’m certainly not guaranteeing it. I want him to return, but his potential return isn’t about what I want, that is for Phil Brooks to decide.

Yacs

Who Would CM Punk Face, If He Returns