Former WWE star Stevie Richards thinks that a former five-time world champion didn’t let CM Punk return, not Vince McMahon.
For years, fans wondered why CM Punk never returned to WWE after his shock walkout in 2014. Many pointed fingers at Vince McMahon, who was known for making final calls. Yet on The Stevie Richards Show, he says it was actually Triple H, a five-time World Heavyweight Champion, who blocked Punk’s return in 2018–2019.
According to Richards, Vince seemed ready to bring Punk back and had smoothed over old grudges. Richards recalled that Punk and McMahon had forgiven each other for past issues. However, Triple H, Richards said, never let go of the past and kept Punk on the outside.
He’s still the same guy. It’s not going to work. Triple H hadn’t forgiven him, so from that, I’m gleaning that Triple H was the one who blocked Punk from returning back in 2018-2019 and not Vince.” (3:24 – 3:43)
Richards pointed to a backstage moment on an episode of WWE: Unreal, where Punk and Triple H greeted each other with forced smiles. Punk seemed uneasy, like he held no power in that moment.
More than a friendly meet‐and‐greet, Richards sees it as a reminder that Triple H still called the shots and had the final word on Punk’s status. While fans looked at the handshake and thought it meant peace, Richards warns it showed who really had control.
The Power Struggle Behind CM Punk’s Return
Richards explains that, when talks reignited in 2018, CM Punk was eager to come back. He missed the roar of the fans and believed he still had big matches ahead of him. McMahon, who was okay with it, told Punk he was welcome.
Yet every plan hit a wall when Triple H stepped in. Richards says this was not about creative direction or storylines, but was personal. The five-time World Heavyweight Champion reportedly felt Punk had disrespected him and other wrestlers during his exit and never forgave him.
In that same period, WWE moved forward with new talent and fresh angles. Punk had lost momentum and was seen as a risk. Triple H’s influence in talent decisions grew stronger as he climbed WWE’s corporate mountain. Richards believes this shift sealed Punk’s fate. Even when CM Punk cleared his name publicly and avoided legal issues, Triple H’s veto power kept him from returning.