Does the WWE need CM Punk? Eric Bischoff (no stranger to criticizing Punk) recently talked up whether the WWE needs CM Punk. Bischoff discussed this during his 83 Weeks podcast. First, Easy E addressed the biggest issue; whether the WWE would bring in someone who has repeatedly trashed the company:

"I'm not 100% convinced (he won’t go to WWE) because it is all about business and WWE historically is able and willing to get beyond issues, personal or otherwise. Warrior comes to mind. A cat named Eric Bischoff comes to mind. There's been a whole bunch of us where nobody would have ever imagined that certain people would get back or get into a WWE ring ever again only to be surprised."

H/T Wrestling News

Bischoff is 110% right about the WWE's willingness to do business with wrestlers who have burnt them in the past if the company feels there is money to be made. It's an approach that hasn't always worked (The Ultimate Warrior's brief return to the 1996 being a good example) but when it does, the WWE seems okay with letting bygones be bygones.

Does the WWE Need Punk?

At the same time, Bischoff questioned whether there's a role for Punk in the WWE right now:

"I'm not saying I'm 100% sure, but my gut tells me no, mostly because they just don't need him. There's no holes. Where's the holes in the WWE roster right now? Where's the holes in the product? We're getting ready to step into the hottest time of the year. This is wrestling's version of the Super Bowl coming up here over the next month or two leading up to it. I just don't feel the need for it right now. Their live event business is off the charts. They're selling out 10, 11, 12,000 seat arenas for SmackDown and for RAW. Merchandise is flying off the shelf so there's just no holes in their game right now. It's not going to be that way forever. You know, everything ebbs and flows. Maybe somewhere down the road I see it, but I certainly don't see it coming up anytime soon."

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As noted earlier on our website, RAW's ticket sales have been increasing steadily and the WWE is enjoying incredible success. Nonetheless, while they might have all the talent they need, the WWE (or officials in TKO-Holdings) might be willing to take a risk with Punk and bring him in with the hope they can do even bigger business.

TKO-Holdings is a publicly-traded company which Wall Street will expect a certain amount of growth every quarter. If Punk can help in this area, why wouldn't the WWE bring him back? 

The Problem with Punk

Assuming Punk and the WWE agree to a deal, is it the right choice? Punk's reputation for backstage antics is well-documented. Does the WWE want to risk bringing in someone who might stir the pot? Morale in the WWE is said to be high but what if someone comes in and causes backstage drama? The WWE should carefully weigh what Punk brings to the table against his shortcomings.

For now, fans should expect more speculation about Punk's possible future in the WWE and as Survivor Series gets closer, fans will be watching WWE TV for any hints about Punk's return.