When CM Punk decided to walk out on WWE, it instantly became the biggest pro wrestling story of 2014. This despite the launch of the WWE Network, the company negotiating a new television rights deal, Undertaker's streak ending at WrestleMania 30, and Hulk Hogan returning after seven years away.
At least as far as fan interest is concerned, none of those stories have matched Punk's decision to leave.
Part of the reason for that is the persistent rumors that he could be making a return, presumably at any given moment. WWE has uncharacteristically kept quiet on all matters related to Punk and he hasn't spoken publicly since leaving. That's only added fuel to the flames.
When asked for his take on the possibility of it, Chris Jericho told Digital Spy the following:
"I don't know, man, who knows, right? That's something that only he can answer for sure. To me, if he hasn't come back already, then... I left the WWE for two-and-a-half years in 2005. The only difference was I left when my contract was up, but I disappeared too, because I just was over it. I couldn't take it anymore, I wasn't interested in being there, I was getting miserable, so I know how he feels. I had no intention of coming back, and after two-and-a-half years I watched Shawn Michaels vs John Cena at WrestleMania 23 and that inspired me to want to come back, but it took two-and-a-half years to get there. So my answer is, 'I don't know', but I just know how I was when I did the same thing. It took a long time for me to be able to come back, and I was probably the same age as Punk is now too, so maybe he's going through the same thing and after a few years he'll come back."
Assuming that's the course of action Punk takes, surely he'll walk right into accomplishing his dream of headlining a WrestleMania. After all, that's the one goal he has yet to meet in his professional wrestling career and an extended vacation seems to be the best way to go about getting your way with WWE.
As always, stay tuned.
In the meantime, go read the rest of Jericho's interview with Digital Spy. His comments on Sting possibly coming to WWE are worth a look.