- Former WWE champion vows to 'change the culture' in shock appearance on FS1 programme
- Punk will be appearing periodically on the show beginning next Tuesday, says Fox
CM Punk has made a shock return to WWE. Well, sort of.
The former WWE champion " real name Phil Brooks " made a surprise appearance at the end of Tuesday night's episode of WWE Backstage on US television network Fox's FS1 channel.
"It's a simple as this, just when they think they got the answers, I change the culture," Punk said, after walking into the studio to his old ring entrance music. "I'll see you here next week."
A tweet from @WWEonFox said Punk will be "appearing periodically on the show beginning next Tuesday". Punk is expected to join WWE Backstage as an analyst, alongside host Renee Young and former WWE stars Booker T and Paige.
Former @WWE Champion @CMPunk has joined #WWEBackstage.Follow @WWEonFOX for more. pic.twitter.com/w3JZ4iU8WM
" FOX Sports (@FOXSports) November 13, 2019
It is Punk's first official WWE appearance since abruptly walking out on the company in January 2014 following a disagreement over the direction of his character.
His exit sparked an acrimonious split in their relationship, prompting Punk to lash out at WWE in a November 2014 episode of Colt Cabana's podcast, The Art of Wrestling.
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In February 2015, WWE doctor Christopher Amann filed a defamation lawsuit against Punk and Cabana after Punk made allegations of medical malpractice on the podcast. A jury ruled in favour of Punk and Cabana in 2018 after the case went to trial.
The 41-year-old has not wrestled since walking out on WWE, instead trying his hand at MMA, though his UFC career was an unceremonious flop with two dismal defeats.
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