There was some optimism when CM Punk's wife AJ Lee returned to the WWE that the "Best in the World" wouldn't be far behind, but as his contract expires this week it is said that the relationship between both sides is worse than it ever has been.

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The WWE removed Punk from its active roster and into its alumni section on WWE.com this week in preparation for the expiration of his contract, likely closing the door on Punk's time in the company. Punk walked out on the WWE in January due to frustration with how he is used and from being burned out with the rigorous travel schedule.

Punk, who married Lee in June during her two-month hiatus from the company, has been featured in a WWE Network special this week and that mixed with Lee's return led to the belief that things were turning around between Punk and the company, but that has not been the case.

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Wrestlingheadlines.com reports that at Monday Night RAW this week in Virginia, the relations between Punk and the WWE are worse than they have been before. Punk has not been seen in the company since the Royal Rumble as he walked out the day after prior to a live RAW telecast and hasn't returned.

The WWE heavily promoted Punk's Beyond the Ring special on the WWE Network, but then they quickly relocated his profile on WWE.com to the alumni section just one day after it aired.

Punk has shown no inkling of returning despite the fact that Lee, who took a break from the company from April 7-June 30, moved in with him and tied the knot with him before returning to the busy full-time WWE schedule.

Punk has enjoyed his free time and attended various Chicago sporting events while making a few television appearances along the way, but he hasn't shown any interest in returning to the squared circle.

Punk's contract has officially expired with the WWE and it is unlikely that he will appear in the company again anytime soon.

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