According to multiple sources, including one initially from PWInsider, is that CM Punk was seen backstage at the site of Monday night’s taping of WWE Raw in Chicago. They report: “Former WWE and current AEW star CM Punk was backstage for a bit at tonight’s Monday Night Raw taping, PWInsider.com has confirmed.” They added, “Tonight’s taping is being held in his hometown of Chicago (well, Rosemont, IL, right outside) at the Allstate Center, the same venue where Punk defeated John Cena for the WWE title at the 2011 Money in the Bank PPV.”

Video footage has been released on social media showing him in the parking lot of the arena talking to (we believe) Tamina.

Further reports are that he met with a number of friends backstage, spoke briefly with Triple H and then was asked to leave. While not confirmed, rumors are it was Vince McMahon who instructed officials to ensure Punk was not backstage at the show.

It’s not clear why Punk was there but the assumption is that he was simply catching up with old friends. At the same time, it would be logical to assume that he was happy enough to get the Internet rumors swirling, especially since he’s caught up in some drama with his current employer AEW. Talk is that they two sides have worked out his potentially coming back to AEW, but there’s still speculation that things aren’t exactly settled. If he’s seen backstage in WWE, the thought might be that AEW would put a rush on his return.

Of course, fans will wonder why Punk was there and if it has anything to do with him potentially coming back to WWE or if he was let out of his AEW contract. That’s unlikely. Even if he was just there to visit friends, that he met with Triple H will stir the pot too. Considering those two don’t have the healthiest of relationships, that they were even willing to talk is going to come as a surprise to some.

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