CM Punk Updates (Movie Deal, Legitimately Leaving, Different Landscape)

MOVIE DEAL? As part of WWE's negotiation with CM Punk, the company offered Punk a movie similar to the Randy Orton film "That's What I Am," which starred Ed Harris.

"(WWE talent relations exec) John Laurinaitis was authorized by (WWE Chairman) Vince McMahon to include a movie in Punk's compensation package, but Punk turned it down," a key WWE insider told us, "Punk wants a chance to be the top star in the company, and he thought they were just testing his ego with the offer."

Another WWE insider, who had not heard the entire story, confirmed "Vince mentioned something about Punk not wanting to do a movie, and being surprised that the offer was turned down."

LEGITIMATELY LEAVING? A WWE spokesperson has told GLAAD that CM Punk is legitimately leaving WWE on July 18th and that his comments on Raw about leaving are in fact the truth and not part of a wrestling story line. "This departure is not part of a storyline. He is contractually leaving the organization," the story notes.

The story went on to note that Punk's contract "will not immediately be renewed," which might be an indication that WWE might use the legitimacy of Punk's contract situation with the company to its advantage by pacifying GLAAD with a Punk hiatus from the company. As we reported yesterday, this wouldn't be the first time WWE has done something like this, with the firing of Finlay, the "firing" of Daniel Bryan, and sensitivity training being other examples of WWE covering its tracks.

DIFFERENT LANDSCAPE? The entire landscape has changed in the past 24 hours or so when it comes to CM Punk and WWE, WrestleZone has learned exclusively. According to a key WWE insider, talent relations executive John Laurinaitis, who has recently been under fire for failing to re-sign Punk, is now caught in a very political game of WWE viewing Punk as a "maintenance issue" (that's the term that was used today) instead of a "must-sign talent."

"It's a weird situation," we were told this evening, "WWE realizes Punk's promo was the proverbial lightning in a bottle, but the company is very protective when it comes to public image right now, as evidenced by the fact they made (John) Cena apologize, Michael Cole go to sensitivity classes, and even fired Fit Finlay for a public relations mishap at a live event!"

"The next few days will be very interesting," a former production big wig told WrestleZone, "creative has to pitch Vince (McMahon) next week's TV shows. How they handle Punk in Boston will be the tell-tale of what's going to happen with CM Punk and WWE!"

Hmmm.....