CM Punk has demonstrated his value to the business, attracting substantial audiences and receiving positive ratings on both “Raw” and “SmackDown” since his comeback to WWE at Survivor Series. One of the most significant impacts Punk has made is in the company’s merchandise sales.
PWInsider Elite reports that Punk’s merchandise has been rapidly selling since his return to WWE. Notably, Punk’s first night back was reportedly the most profitable; overnight, physical CM Punk t-shirts sold in excess of six figures — a nearly unprecedented number for a returning wrestler.
Backstage Report On CM Punk Merch Sales Immediately After WWE Survivor Series Return https://t.co/n5XFoj6nk7 Click to read more
— WrestlingINC.com (@WrestlingInc) December 13, 2023
This isn’t the first time CM Punk has entered a wrestling organization and immediately boosted merchandise sales. Upon his return to wrestling in 2021 for AEW, Punk instantly set merchandise records for both AEW and Pro Wrestling Tees, including breaking the 24-hour record for most t-shirts sold on the latter’s website. Three days later, Punk set another record, selling the most shirts in the history of Pro Wrestling Tees.
So far, Punk has been a significant business driver for WWE without having wrestled a match for the organization. That will change later this month, as Punk is scheduled to appear at WWE live events in both New York and Los Angeles. As of now, Punk is not scheduled to wrestle on WWE TV just yet — at least not until the Royal Rumble in January, for which he declared himself an entrant.