Chris Jericho has slammed CM Punk's decision to appear on WWE Backstage rather than make a sensational in-ring return with the company.
CM Punk, real name Phillip Brooks, enjoyed a fruitful career with WWE before his relationship with the wrestling promotion deteriorated in 2014.
But the 41-year-old American, who vowed that he had retired from wrestling in 2014, penned a deal with Fox to appear as an analyst on WWE Backstage.
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Speaking to With Spandex, WWE legend Jericho believes CM Punk's return after five years was underwhelming.
"It's a long time coming," the 49-year-old explained.
"We knew there would be a Motley Crue reunion and we knew CM Punk would come back to wrestling. It was just a matter of time.
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"I think he came back with more of a sigh than a scream. It seems kinda funny that he came back on a show that drew 150,000 viewers where it could have been five million viewers.
"But if it's part of the process to slowly wean him into the wrestling business, then good.
"The WWE sure needs him. You need stars in the business. Good for him for coming back.
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"I just think it was not as big as it could have been or should have been.
"He's back for the first time in five years and no-one really cares. But I'm sure it will lead to more. I don't see how it can't."
Jericho is currently signed with WWE rival promotion All Elite Wrestling, who were heavily linked with CM Punk.
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When he was asked if he was disappointed with CM Punk not signing for AEW, 'Y2J' responded: "I'm not disappointed.
"I know there were some conversations, but Punk's his own guy.
"Could we have used him? Yes. Does it hurt us to not have him? No, not at all."
CM Punk has refused to rule out a potential in-ring return with WWE, but he admitted that it would be difficult to make it happen.
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"So, regardless of what my answer is, there's somebody that's always going to be upset with it," he told WWE Backstage co-host Renee Young.
"As I've said, I've stated I work for Fox. I haven't talked to anybody in WWE.
"It's nothing that I'm actively pursuing or interested in, but I'm 41 years old and I've experienced life where I know to not say no.
"But that's gonna be a bridge that is gonna have to be built and it might take as long as building the Great Wall of China because there are hurdles there."