Fantasy Booking a CM Punk Return to WWE

CM Punk's release from All Elite Wrestling created one obvious and intriguing question regarding his future in professional wrestling: What might his return to WWE look like?

Punk left that promotion on anything but good terms back in 2014, but time (and money) can heal all wounds. Throw in his positive relationship with new majority owners, Endeavor, dating back to his time with UFC and you have the foundation for a potential return.

When you factor in a ready-made angle that would play off WWE's most prominent, overarching storyline, it becomes even more obvious that company officials should do their due diligence in terms of bringing the 44-year-old back into the fold.

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A Paul Heyman Guy

Punk's infamous "pipebomb" promo in June 2011 saw him describe himself as a "Paul Heyman guy." Fast-forward a year later and the Chicago native underwent a heel turn that brought The Wise Man into his circle as manager/special counsel/advocate.

Heyman would stand by Punk's side for a year before a heel turn ignited a feud between The Best in the World and Brock Lesnar, and therein lies the motivation for the former WWE champion's return to the promotion.

Imagine at Survivor Series, in Chicago appropriately enough, undisputed WWE universal champion Roman Reigns has just successfully retained his title and stands triumphantly in the squared circle alongside Heyman.

The Tribal Chief boldly claims he has conquered everyone, only to be interrupted by Living Colour's "Cult of Personality" as Punk walks through the curtain to a thunderous ovation.

An unnamed user made the below edit, giving an idea of what that might look like.

Heyman's reaction is key because, if anyone knows what Punk's return means and the threat it provides Reigns, it is him. He watched Punk, studied him, and knows damn well that outside of his other famous client Lesnar, he is the last guy to hold the WWE title for any significant length of time.

He knows Punk can beat Reigns, but he also knows his former associate can drive a wedge between The Head of the Table and The Wise Man, potentially ruining the enormously successful run that Heyman has been on over the last three years.

See, Punk was in Reigns' shoes, aligning himself with Heyman and allowing the godfather of extreme to come along for the ride in a monumental championship reign, only to be betrayed the moment a better opportunity came along.

A scenario where Punk cuts a promo warning Reigns of that, telling him Heyman is a leech who latches onto anyone even remotely successful and uses them for his own benefit before leaving them when the next thing comes along, would be perfect and based in what we already know to be true.

He can even plant the seeds of dissension, asking Reigns how he knows Punk and Heyman are not working together to dethrone The Tribal Chief right now. After all, the writing is on the wall, The Bloodline is crumbling, and it is only a matter of time before The Head of the Table loses his spot.

The potential is even there to turn Reigns babyface for the first time in three years, with Punk's warning proving to be accurate as he and Heyman conspire to screw Reigns out of the title.

Regardless of what direction the program takes, it would be must-see television and generate a big-money match for one of the company's most prominent pay-per-views.

It would also bring a top-tier star back into the fold on the Road to WrestleMania 40, something WWE never misses the opportunity to do as it typically creates buzz surrounding its most important show.

Add in the fact that the company is run like a business and the locker room is at least outwardly less volatile and more professional than others, and you have a better environment Punk can excel in.

The good outweighs the bad at this point and if issues present themselves, WWE can put itself in a position contractually to make sure there is little in the way of risk if it has to cut the cord early.

The storytelling potential is too strong, plays into the larger Bloodline story, and incorporates the one element that fans have yet to see fractured: the relationship between Reigns and Heyman, making it a significantly interesting chapter.