CM Punk accused of 'selling out' after final line in first WWE Raw promo since 2014

The final line of CM Punk's first WWE promo since making a shock return to the company has got fans talking.

Punk signed a multi-year contract with the promotion last week and appeared at the end of Saturday evening's Survivor Series main event.

He left the WWE in 2014 and cited creative frustration and a lack of care for his physical and mental health.

The 45-year-old would take a seven-year hiatus from professional wrestling altogether before debuting with rival company All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in August 2021.

His time in AEW was marred by backstage scuffles, including one with EVPs The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) and Kenny Omega.

Punk's deal was terminated with cause in September after an altercation with Jack Perry inside Wembley Stadium during the All In pay-per-view.

The Chicago native regularly cited AEW as the place he regained his passion for professional wrestling. During his second run in Tony Khan's company, he claimed CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery David Zazlav called him 'One Bill Phil' in reference to a billion dollar television deal.

It might've indicated a shift in Punk's mindset, as he had money on the mind during his first Monday Night Raw appearance in nine years.

After addressing the Bridgestone Arena crowd in the main event of last night's show, Punk looked directly into the camera and declared: "I'm not here to make friends, I'm here to make money!"

Wrestling fans expected Punk to come out firing on all cylinders given the nature of his AEW departure.

Many were left disappointed by the promo, believing all the passion he returned with two years is gone already.

One person said: "Can see it in his eyes. He doesn't want to be here."

Another tweeted: "Punk won't last long with this mindset."

Someone put: "I don't think this ends well."

While a fourth added: "Expected an incredible promo and got this."

WWE chief content officer Triple H revealed how a deal for Punk came about at the last second.

"This was one of those lightning in a bottle moments that came together very quickly, but we are incredibly excited about it," Triple H said in a post-show press conference.

"It didn't start to come to fruition until everybody stopped thinking it was going to happen, and then all of a sudden it was happening."

Punk is expected to feud with World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins.

Featured Image Credit: WWE

Topics: WWE, Fan Reactions

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a social editor for SPORTbible after moving from the writing team. Nearly scored past Stormzy at Old Trafford once.

@DanMarland_