According to multiple sources, CM Punk was brought in this week to do a test screening for the upcoming WWE Backstage show on FS1.
Announced yesterday as premiering on Tuesday, November 4, WWE Backstage will be a FOX production and formatted the same as other discussion shows on the network. Renee Young has been confirmed as the host with Booker T serving as an analyst. Superstars from the past and present were also advertised as appearing on the show.
As per a report by PWInsider, Renee Young was at the screen test with CM Punk in Los Angeles, California. It was reported previously that Punk’s agent was pushing for him to get a tryout on this show, but WWE was not interested. It is not clear if it was WWE or FOX that reached out to Punk for the tryout.
Punk has had numerous issues with WWE since walking out of the company after the 2014 Royal Rumble. Punk spoke out about the company mishandling his medical issues on a podcast with Colt Cabana, which resulted in a defamation lawsuit by Dr. Chris Amann. Punk and Cabana ultimately won the lawsuit.
Other personalities have also been brought in for potential roles on WWE Backstage such as Sean Waltman, Taz, Rey Mysterio, and Paige.