CM Punk Was in Serious Talks With TNA Before WWE Return

CM Punk almost stepped into a TNA ring—and now the man behind the pitch is telling the story.

In his latest D’Amore Drop column for Yahoo! Sports’ Uncrowned, former TNA Wrestling president Scott D’Amore confirmed he made a serious effort to bring CM Punk to the promotion after his exit from AEW in 2023. The deal didn’t come together, but D’Amore praised Punk for how he handled the negotiations behind the scenes.

“It wasn’t a well-kept secret that I tried to sign Phil to TNA after things with AEW fell apart,” D’Amore wrote. “I knew it was a long shot, I knew I was asking him to work in smaller arenas than he had in a long time. He listened; he was interested. He never big-timed TNA once, and he conducted himself the way we’d all wish a professional would.”

The two sides reportedly had serious talks around the time of Bound for Glory 2023—a show that took place in Punk’s hometown of Chicago. At the time, rumors were swirling that Punk might appear. While he didn’t end up on the show, he did attend TNA tapings shortly after. Ultimately, Punk shocked the world by returning to WWE at Survivor Series 2024, ending years of speculation about his next move.

D’Amore holds no grudge, saying, “Ultimately, he went back to WWE, which, of course, is where he belongs.”

The comments echo what Moose revealed earlier this year when he shared that TNA had actually planned a title feud between him and Punk. It never materialized—but it clearly came close. In the end, CM Punk returned to WWE at Survivor Series 2024, sending shockwaves through the wrestling world and putting an end to months of speculation.