Well, I’ll be. They actually pulled the trigger.

This should be fun to see if he’ll behave and make it work in the place that got him sick in the first place.

I was pretty sure he'd be back. The way they were teasing the fans really didn't make sense if they weren't gonna bring him back. Wrestling is about misleading the audience, but you don't want to intentionally blue ball them. More importantly, there was money to be made for both sides. In wrestling, and most industries, if you follow the dollars, you can figure out what will happen. 

Punk was in the WWE for a while, and while it definitely wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, it also wasn't like fistfights backstage. I don't think there's much concern in that regard. 

He's back ;)

Likely going to be put in the WHC storyline against Rollins at Royal Rumble (like what is being speculated) and then probably a rematch against him at WM.

Would be funny if they make him lose at the Rumble against Rollins or finished via DQ and then get the win at the rumble to put him up against Rollins at WM.

Rhodes will likely go after Reigns again.

I don't think you need to put him in the title picture right away and I'd kind of hate to see him derail the push of others. Have him fight Dominic for his first feud. His big return is such a big deal you don't have to waste a marquee matchup, people will just be happy for him to come in and beat Dominic's ass. Drew wins the Royal Rumble, and on the way to Mania, you give Punk a win over Drew. Drew wins the title at Mania, and Punk comes out to remind him he has that victory and so he should be his next opponent. But, Rollins comes out and attacks him. Then they feud with the winner going on to face Mcyntyre at Summerslam.

That's how I'd do it anyway.

Assuming if Mcintyre re-signs with WWE.

His current contract is set to expire at Wrestlemania and they still havent agreed to any re-signing conditions.

Part of why I'd have him in the title match at Mania. He deserves it, needs it more, and will probably be more likely to stay if he gets the title. WWE is really light on good heels at the moment so I think they'd be wise to try and keep him happy. You could put Punk in a match with someone like AJ Styles with the idea that they're trying to put on a show stealing Mania match. Similar to what they did with Punk and Jericho waaaay back when. 

I dont think the title is an issue for him, its likely money, he likely wants more but they wont give it to him.

Money is usually the most important thing, but I think in this case, WWE and AEW will both be willing to pay him. I think it's kind of a situation like with Bryan Danielson or Edge. WWE would have been likely to pay them, but wasn't going to use them in the way they wanted. AEW could give Drew money, but they can't give him the WWE title, which still means something. 

As for my fantasy booking, I'd actually say have Punk vs Rollins and Mania, but not for the title. They don't need it for that match. Let Mcyntyre win the title at the Rumble possibly with Seth having some way to blame Punk. Let that be some kind of grudge match. Then have Sami Zayn vs Mcyntyre at Mania and Reigns vs Rhodes. Or you could do a triple threat with Punk Mcyntyre and Rollins at Mania. Lot of possibilities. 

I think they'll probably do that - Rollins VS Punk I mean.

Damian Priest is likely going to win the title from Rollins via MitB contract.

If Drew stays, I can see him fighting Priest at WM for the title.

CM Punk's return promo was... weird...

It was going to be hard to do a return promo so soon after his other return promo. But he kind of just didn't address the elephant in the room. The promo started off very rah rah yay WWE I'm so happy to be back. He obviously mentioned that he left but didn't really talk about his leaving, why he decided to come back, or try to justify his return.

Afterwards he started talking about how he was the best and how everyone's afraid that he'll take their spot and how much better he is than everyone else, and it definitely came off as kind of heelish.

So idk. His return to AEW promo was definitely better, at least in the short term. This kind of reminded me of something waaaaay back maybe around 2010 give or take a couple of years when Jericho returned to WWE after one of his hiatuses. He came out and literally said nothing for weeks. Here, Punk didn't say literally nothing, but he didn't say much of substance. I was left feeling less "yay CM Punk is back" and more "huh... what are they doing here?"