CM Punk: WWE Shop Releases WrestleMania 30 T-Shirt With Punk’s Face

CM Punk’s WWE return, if it does happen, will likely be for WrestleMania 30. This rumor was given a short in the arm when three CM Punk WrestleMania 30 T-shirts were released just this past week.

In a related report by The Inquisitr, UFC fighter Ronda Rousey fangasmed all over CM Punk when they first met for the first time in person, telling him how much she “loved” him. When Philip Brooks appeared on the show The Talking Dead many were hoping he’d mention his WWE plans, so even pro wrestling fans who don’t watch The Walking Dead tuned in for once.

Since CM Punk was able to travel to Los Angeles twice for the UFC and Talking Dead, it’s said they assumed he would meet with management when WWE RAW was in Punk’s hometown of Chicago. The reaction to all of this from The Authority is claimed to be rather bitter.

“Anybody else would have folded, taken their ball, and go home”- HHH followed by “CM Punk” chants #RAW

— WrestleEnigma.com (@WrestleEnigma) March 18, 2014

Former WWE tag team champion Trevor Murdoch also recently gave his opinion on the whole CM Punk WWE saga:

“It’s all speculation based upon my experience with the WWE and with Punk, but the WWE has a very bad habit of not following through with storylines. That’s probably one of the reasons that Punk stepped away. He knows the fans aren’t stupid. He came into WWE with a fantastic following, but WWE didn’t understand it and kept him in developmental longer than they should have.”

So why would the company allow the printing of CM Punk WWE T-shirts if he’s not part of WrestleMania 30? So far, the company has maintained the line that Phil’s absence is temporary. Vince McMahon said Punk was on a “sabbatical” and even Hulk Hogan talked about him being on vacation somewhere.

It’s possible the T-shirts were authorized in advance of CM Punk abruptly leaving the WWE. But April 6 is right around the corner now, so it seems odd timing for the release of these T-shirts if that was the case. It’s also possible the release was an error, which might make the T-shirts collectible items. Another theory is that WWE management is just trying to drive up interest in WrestleMania 30 by feeding the hope of fans who keep shouting CM Punk during events.

Do you think CM Punk’s WWE return will happen at WrestleMania 30 or is he gone for good? You can purchase the T-shirts here, here and here.