The WWE has the right to force a six-month extension on CM Punk's contract when it expires on Thursday despite the fact that he hasn't appeared in the company since July, but it looks as though the WWE won't be forcing an extension.
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Wrestlingheadlines.com reported that there was talk backstage that the WWE may renew Punk's deal automatically, but it has since been decided that forcing an extension on an unwilling Punk isn't in the best interest for either side.
The WWE recently added six months to Rey Mysterio's contract because he missed significant time due to injury and the company felt as though he owed them that time back.
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The WWE was able to extend Mysterio because there is a clause in the company's contracts that says if a talent is out of action for a certain amount of time the organization holds the rights to renew their deals.
Punk owns the right to his character's name and will appear on an AXS TV award show later this month after his contract expires under the Punk name, unlike his Talking Dead appearance earlier this year on AMC when he appeared under his real name Phil Brooks.
Punk walked out of the WWE back in January due to frustration over the way his character was being used and from being burned out due to the travel schedule. Punk hasn't appeared in a WWE ring since walking out the night after the Royal Rumble prior to a live Monday Night RAW telecast.
Punk got engaged to and married WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee, but despite the two tying the knot, it isn't expected that Punk will return and his backstage status hasn't changed.
Punk has appeared at various Chicago sporting events to support the Blackhawks and Cubs and has seemed to be enjoying his free time.
The WWE aired a Beyond the Ring special on Punk on the WWE Network Sunday night, but that was not in any way a hint at a return.
Punk has moved on and even took to Twitter to share some upcoming non-wrestling plans on Sunday:
Starting a band, a podcast, and a fire. One of these is true. (Okay, two).
— Coach (@CMPunk) July 13, 2014
While the WWE owns the right to renew Punk's contract for another six months, it appears as though the company is ready to part ways with him once his deal officially expires on Thursday.
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