Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors: Latest on CM Punk, Goldberg, and More

Could CM Punk and WWE be working on extending the quickly agreed-upon deal that he signed upon his return last November?

It appears that way.

The Straight Edge Superstar headlines this collection of pro wrestling rumors and innuendo, which also features the latest on the company's plans for Goldberg, the return of a former NXT and United States champion, and an injury to one of the bright young stars on AEW's roster.

Dive deeper into each topic with reports from some of the industry's most trusted insiders.

CM Punk and WWE have been mutually happy with things just under a year since they reunited.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported that the two sides "were engaged in talks a while back for something more expansive as things had changed since they abruptly put a deal together."

The former WWE and world heavyweight champion has been a significant part of the company's product despite suffering a torn triceps that kept him out of action for several months. His feud with Drew McIntyre was one of the best of the year from any promotion and culminated in a legitimate Match of the Year candidate inside Hell in a Cell at Bad Blood.

He had previously announced his intention to challenge Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship, so expect that program to kick off at some point.

It is encouraging to know that both sides have sat down to iron out something more long-term and that the reunion has been as fruitful for both as it has been. Punk has been a fixture backstage at NXT, where he has served as a mentor and advisor for some of the company's younger developmental talent.

That is a role he has expressed his desire to fill beyond the end of his in-ring career, and it is one that WWE should be enthusiastic about him doing.

Shinsuke Nakamura has not appeared on WWE television since his loss to Sheamus on the April 22 episode of Raw but that should change imminently.

Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com reported that The Artist is expected in Brooklyn for Friday's SmackDown dual tapings.

It is currently unknown what role he would take on the show, or if it is even meant to be his return to television, but Nakamura being backstage at a WWE event suggests the company has plans to reintroduce him to the product.

One of the most decorated Superstars of this generation, across both the NXT brand and the main roster product, he has accomplished nearly all that there is to in WWE outside of capturing the company's top two championships.

With Cody Rhodes having already feuded with and defeated him, and Gunther seemingly busy with Punk and Damian Priest imminently, it is unknown where Nakamura fits in unless the plan is for him to resume his role in the midcard, which would feel like a major letdown for a performer of his magnitude.

During the latest Backstage Pass podcast with Bill Apter, WrestleVotes reported that WWE does have plans for Goldberg shortly, though what those plans are remains a mystery.

The report was in response to a question about Goldberg potentially interfering in the upcoming Crown Jewel Championship match between Cody Rhodes and Gunther and avenging the verbal insults hurled his way by The Ring General.

Considering the quality (or lack thereof) of Goldberg's in-ring performances toward the end of his last run with the company, no one can fault fans who want nothing to do with watching another one of his matches.

Still, the nostalgia factor is there and he is still a recognizable enough name that people who watched during the 1990s but do not regularly watch now will pop in to see what he is doing on any given show.

Perhaps those underwhelming performances fuel Goldberg and make him want to have one last retirement match to go out on. If so, booking him against arguably the best wrestler on the planet is the right move.

Hologram scored the win over The Beast Mortos at WrestleDream on October 12 but came out of the match worse for wear.

Luchablog reported that he suffered an injury in that match and may not return until Full Gear on November 23.

Hologram was in the midst of an impressive unbeaten streak in AEW and was finally building momentum outside the confines of the Saturday night Collision show. The Mortos match was his first on pay-per-view and even though his push feels anything but natural, he was beginning to win fans over.

Hopefully, he makes a quick recovery and can back to the squared circle sooner rather than later so that he can continue building on that momentum and highlighting his aerial artistry against the best and brightest AEW has to offer.