wrestling / News

New Details on CM Punk Screen Test With FOX Sports for WWE Backstage, Punk’s Offer Not Involving Wrestling

October 4, 2019 | Posted by Jeffrey Harris
CM Punk WWE AEW Image Credit: WWE

As previously reported, former WWE Superstar and world champion CM Punk confirmed rumors this week that he did indeed meet with FOX Sports regarding possibly joining WWE Backstage as a regular panelist. According to the latest rumors, Punk joining the show is said to be a “done deal.” Months ago, the very idea or possibility of such would sound absurd or earth-shattering, but it appears to be close to becoming a reality. This week’s edition of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter has some more details on how Punk was brought in for a screen test by FOX Sports.

According to the report, FOX Sports Senior Vice President of Production and Talent, Jacob Ullman, and Ben Grossman were the ones who brought in CM Punk for his screen test. Also, Punk’s agent works for CAA, the same talent agency that represents WWE. The Observer reports that the current perception is that Punk will receive an offer, and his offer “would have nothing to do with wrestling with WWE.”

It should be noted that Punk did say in this week’s interview with Collider that he wasn’t interested in getting back into the ring if anyone came to him with that type of an offer. Punk stated, “And if they come at me and they’re like, ‘Hey. We want you to wrestle,’ I’m gonna be like, ‘No. I’m not interested.’ I’ve grown so much as a person, and I look back at all the stuff, and I don’t need it. I don’t need the confrontation, and I don’t need the drama.”

The Observer Newsletter added that the people in FOX Sports who are currently working with WWE are said to be more knowledge about wrestling, the WWE product, and the wrestling industry than the ones working on WWE at NBC Universal and USA Network.

Punk indicated in his Collider Live interview that his talks for WWE Backstage have been solely through FOX Sports, saying that he hasn’t talked to anyone in WWE about the gig and said that no one would reach out to him because he’s the “boogeyman” to WWE.

FOX Sports and WWE have not yet confirmed or announced that Punk is joining the show. WWE Backstage is slated to debut on FS1 on November 5. Renee Young and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T are attached to host the weekly show.