CM Punk walked out on the WWE on Jan. 27, however the "Best in the World" is still "officially" with the company despite the fact that he likely won't be returning and he is still making money off of his merchandise.
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According to Wrestlingheadlines.com, Punk is still getting royalties for his merchandise, especially after the WWE was selling new Punk gear during WrestleMania week earlier this month in New Orleans. Though inactive, Punk is still reportedly making great money off of his merchandise as he is the No 2 seller behind John Cena.
Regarding Punk's status within the company, he isn't listed as suspended, fired or released, but he is listed as "on leave." On the Monday Night RAW script for this past week's show that leaked earlier this week, Punk was listed as "INJ-TBD," meaning injured or to-be-determined.
CM Punk featured on leaked RAW script [LINK]
Punk's friend and UFC star Chael Sonnen told Wrestling Observer Radio that he believed initially that Punk walking out was a work and that "The Best in the World" would be returning soon, but now that a lot of time has passed --including the huge WrestleMania XXX pay-per-view --Sonnen is starting to believe in what Punk said, which is that he's done with the company.
Punk left prior to the Monday Night RAW episode on the night after the Royal Rumble, due to wear-and-tear and frustration over his use on the card. It was said that when his contract expired in July he was unlikely to re-sign a new deal due to his frustrations and burn-out from traveling and injuries. He ended up leaving sooner than that.
Mick Foley recently took to his official Facebook page and commented on Punk being in a lot of pain.
"While I respect everybody's opinion - as long as it is given in a respectful way, I have to disagree with those out there who find great fault in Punk's simply walk away," Foley wrote. "I am kind of like a ghost that drifts in and out of WWE, but in my past three years of drifting, I have never been to a WWE event where Punk was not in considerable pain. Ice packs, heating pads, and visits to the trainer were as much a part of his daily routine as eating. sleeping, and wrestling. Performing at that level, in that degree of pain was only possible when accompanied by the passion that turned an unlikely Indy kid into one of the greatest WWE superstars of his generation."
Foley also said Punk's passion was probably running out.
"Once that passions gone, then so are all of the things that made him great. I know what it feels like to go through the motions, and to do what needs to be done solely for the paycheck. It's not pretty - and though I have not talked to Punk since the night before he left, I have to believe he has too much respect for what he does to let people see him going through the motions. If or when that day comes when CM punk returns to WWE, I hope it's with that same passion that made so many of you care about him to begin with."
Punk has appeared to move on with his life, getting engaged and planning to move in with WWE Diva A.J. Lee, who had just asked for time off. It remains to be seen if the "Best in the World" will return to the WWE.
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