Backstage Update On CM Punk's WWE Status, WrestleMania Plans Change, His Demeanor, More

As noted, CM Punk has been removed from WWE events going forward after reportedly informing Vince McMahon at Monday's RAW that he was going home. Punk reportedly told Vince and other WWE officials this in a meeting before the show went on the air.

While Punk vs. Triple H was planned for WrestleMania XXX, word now is that Triple H will be facing Daniel Bryan in New Orleans this April.

Punk leaving is being described as a situation where he's unhappy and burnt out with the overall direction of the company. There's also a feeling among wrestlers that Punk has saved his money and just doesn't need it any more, even the big WrestleMania payday that was coming up.

Following the Royal Rumble on Sunday, Punk's mood was described as "pissy" but that's not an unusual description of Punk's demeanor backstage. One source told PWInsider that they believed that since Punk's last goal was to work a WrestleMania main event, it may be a situation where he realized it wasn't going to happen this year and with his WWE deal expiring in July, that may have weighed down upon him because he was so goal driven and this was one he couldn't accomplish because of elements that were outside of his control.