CM Punk's return match: What happened during house show at Madison Square Garden in New York
Punk, met with thunderous cheers upon his entrance, faced off against Dominick Mysterio. Amidst chants of 'you still got it,' Punk emerged victorious, executing his signature 'GTS' (Go to Sleep) finishing move and securing the pinfall in the center of the ring.
Until Tuesday night, the 45-year-old Punk had been absent from the wrestling scene since September, when he faced Samoa Joe at All Elite Wrestling's record-breaking All Out Pay-Per-View in London, England, before his departure from the company.
Following months of speculation about a potential return to WWE after leaving AEW, Punk made a comeback at November's Survivor Series event and has since become a regular presence on TV.
Notably, Punk also made an appearance at a Premium Live Event for WWE's developmental brand, NXT, a few weeks ago. This fueled anticipation among fans, eager to learn which brand—Raw, Smackdown, or NXT—he would ultimately join on a full-time basis.
Recent reports suggest that Punk's WWE contract contains a seldom-used behavioral clause, providing the company with a straightforward option for termination in case of any problems.
This clause was probably added following two incidents where Punk engaged in backstage altercations with his former AEW colleagues, ultimately resulting in his departure from the company.
The first backstage brawl occurred in 2022, involving Punk, AEW wrestlers, and executive vice presidents Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks, leading to suspensions for all parties involved.
Punk sparked another incident with Jack Perry just before this year's All Out, and he also confronted AEW CEO Tony Khan, leading to his termination as the final consequence. In
