After an initial statement that distanced CM Punk from WWE as an “independent contractor,” WWE is now citing the fact that the wrestler is really leaving later this month to quell concerns over the controversial Australian house show rant.
Communicating with GLAAD over the incident, during which CM Punk called a heckling fan a “homo” with an insulting connotation, WWE said that CM Punk will be done with WWE on July 18 and not have his contract immediately renewed.
According to Opposing Views, a WWE spokesperson said, “this departure is not part of a storyline. He is contractually leaving the organization.”
While it had been widely reported that CM Punk was planning a hiatus for this summer, many assumed that the high-profile nature of his recent storyline meant he would at least continue for a few weeks after Money in the Bank, his final advertised show.
Regarding the incident, GLAAD said it will begin to include WWE’s on-camera talent in its training sessions. Previously, the training was limited to “members of WWE’s editorial staff and writing team.”
