WWE Rumors: CM Punk Auditions for on-Air Role for Upcoming FS1 Studio Show

CM Punk was reportedly at Fox Studios this week to take a meeting and do a screen test and for a role in FS1's upcoming WWE Backstage, a move that could further signal the thawing of his relationship with his former employer. 

Mike Johnson of PWInsider reported the news, noting that Taz, Paige, Rey Mysterio and Sean Waltman have also received looks by Fox executives. The new series will be hosted by Renee Young and Booker T, though its format is still in the works.

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling News Observer previously reported Punk's representatives approached WWE about him being on the show, but the company was hesitant. Meltzer delved into the situation further this week (h/t Reddit):

"If CM Punk is to come back to pro wrestling, it looks like it will be [WWE]. He was very political in his speech at the last Starrcast, talking about how he's grown up, doesn't have animosity toward WWE and said that if they were to call he would listen. We'd already reported that Punk's rep had gone to FOX to try and push him to be a co-host of the FS 1 talk show, but WWE wasn't interested in him for that, even though he'd probably be good at it. Really, him doing that show would only make sense if he's going to come back to wrestle, because the minute he's on a WWE broadcast, the people will want him to wrestle again. So hiring him to host the show would immediately make the show about him rather than the news."

Meltzer went on to add that Punk views WWE as his highest earning potential for an in-ring return, which could help create a reunion few saw coming. Punk left WWE in 2014 after one of the worst falling outs in company history, which included WWE sending him his termination papers on the day of his wedding to former WWE star AJ Lee.

Punk also went on Colt Cabana's podcast in 2014, claiming medical malpractice on WWE's part, saying the company misdiagnosed a staph infection and a concussion. Dr. Chris Amann later sued Punk and Cabana but lost the case last year. 

Punk has not wrestled in an official capacity since, though he has made appearances at house shows.