Why Did CM Punk Sign with WWE RAW?

CM Punk officially signed with WWE RAW on Monday after meeting Shawn Michaels and Nick Aldis last week. As one of the top stars in the Stamford-based promotion, Punk would have received remarkable offers from all three brands. However, Adam Pearce secured his services, leading fans to wonder what led to The Second City Saint signing a RAW-exclusive contract.

CM Punk appeared on the December 11, 2023, episode of WWE RAW and confirmed he would officially be part of the red brand. The main talking point of the segment was his confrontation with Seth Rollins.

During their exchange, The Visionary lambasted Punk for calling the company his home after quitting and criticizing it for years. However, another moment in the segment could hint at what Adam Pearce offered to The Second City Saint to sign him to a RAW-exclusive deal.

Besides possibly offering a handsome amount of money, Pearce could have allowed Punk to make certain decisions independently. During the segment, the WWE RAW star announced he was entering the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble match. It’s possible that Punk decided to do it on his own, and he didn’t discuss it with the official backstage.

Another advantage Pearce seemingly had over Michaels and Nick Aldis was his relationship with CM Punk. Both men met on the independent scene and have remained friends for over two decades.