News
CM Punk Returns to the WWE at ‘Survivor Series’ in Shocking Conclusion
When it seemed like the rumors were just going to wind up being just that “rumors”, Chicago’s hometown hero, CM Punk, returned to the WWE in spectacular fashion at the end of Saturday might’s premium-live-event, Survivor Series War Games 2023. The show streamed on Peacock and was emanating from Chicago’s Allstate Arena as the crowd became unglued with delight!
As the main event came to a close, which featured the return of Randy Orton joining forces with Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Jey Uso and Sami Zayn to defeat the Judgement Day stable, plus Drew McIntyre, Punk’s “Cult of Personality” entrance theme music played, and shortly after that, in a shocking moment, CM Punk came out just before the show went off the air. Punk received a standing ovation as “CM Punk” chants that rang out from the arena and as he knelt in his signature pose and shouted, “It’s Clobberin’ Time!”
There has been so much speculation as to if the WWE would pull the trigger on a Punk return, and have it be at Survivor Series in his hometown of Chicago. However, the last few several weeks seemed to dash those hopes. Much was put on if the WWE would have Punk back, given he left the company on bad terms in 2014, plus Punk was coming off a being fired by the rival AEW for two years of injuries, behind the scenes drama, physical altercation and a post-media scrum where he verbally went after the EVPS of AEW, and more. Eventually, Punk was fired with cause following a backstage altercation with pro wrestler, Jack Perry (the son of 90210’s Luke Perry).

Photo: WWE
According to WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque at the Survivor Series Post-Show Press Conference, the Punk return came together at the very last minute and it was just him and WWE CEO Nick Khan who did the deal and kept it a secret.
Triple H told the reporters at the press conference: “This was one of those lightning in a bottle moments that came together very quickly but we are incredibly excited about it. It’s been a long time, and in some ways been a long time coming. You could say this about CM Punk — love him, hate him, positive, negative, whatever you want to say, people talk about him all the time. He’s a magnet for that. He’s a conversation starter and it’s tough to look past that. For me, if our fans want it, if the WWE Universe is excited to have it, then let’s go. And we’ll figure out the rest of it from there. This came together super quick, which I’m sure is why it stayed very tight. There was a lot of speculation. At that point it was nothing but speculation for most of the time it was speculation. It didn’t really start to come to fruition until everybody stopped thinking it was going to happen and then all of a sudden it was happening. But extremely excited.”
Mighty cold day in hell. #SurvivorSeries pic.twitter.com/1Z0KZ2LwCb
— Triple H (@TripleH) November 26, 2023
As for how things went south when Punk left the WWE ten years ago, Triple H added, “You know, a lot of time has gone by, almost 10 years, right? If you are the same person you were 10 years ago 10 years later you’ve messed up. Everybody grows. Everybody changes. I’m a different person, he’s a different person, this is a different company. We’re all on the same even starting ground. So what’s next for CM Punk? That will be interesting, won’t it? I’m interested to see that myself. I know whatever it is it will be talked about, it will be exciting, and it will be a thrill ride for the WWE Universe, no matter what it is. I’m thrilled, we’re all thrilled, to have him back here and to have him back, cliche to say, to have him back home in WWE. It’s where he belongs.”
Punk’s return to the WWE is major get for the company, since everything CM Punk does becomes a watercooler moment not only in pro wrestling but pop culture. Watch the moment below!
So, what do you think about CM Punk returning to the WWE? If you saw the final moments of Survivor Series War Games 2023 tonight, what did you think of the surprise ending? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Make sure to visit You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel tomorrow morning on Sunday November 26th at 11:00 am ET/8:00 am PT for a special “What’s Up? Wrestling” WWE Survivor Series War Games Recap!
News
Y&R’s Jason Thompson and Mark Grossman Deliver the ‘Power Performances of the Week’

In what was one of the most tearjerker of episodes from The Young and the Restless in a long time, last week’s Tuesday, October 20th episode and its aftermath (for the rest of the week), gave viewers several standout moments by two of its leading men, Jason Thompson (Billy Abbott) and Mark Grossman (Adam Newman).
The story unraveled such that it played into the deep history between Billy and Adam that dates all the way back to when Billy’s daughter Deliah was struck by the car Adam was driving and died. The heart-tugging scenes following Billy and Sally’s (Courtney Hope) wedding, also played into the history of Adam and Sally.
As Y&R fans recall, Sally was carrying Adam’s child when she was rushed to surgery and their baby was stillborn. Fast-forward: When Billy received a gut-wrenching call from Snapper about his mother Jill (Jess Walton) having a heart attack in London during his wedding reception, he was beside himself and fighting back his tears.

Photo: JPI
Meanwhile, Sally was up in her room at the GCAC getting a visit from Adam when her water broke, and Adam was with her through the birth of her new little bundle of joy … a daughter.
When Billy finally made it up to Sally’s room, Adam was leaving to find him and the two come face-to-face! Sally tells Billy to come over to the bed to meet his daughter, leaving us with that heartbreaking shot of Adam with tears in his eyes at the door. A bittersweet moment, indeed.
Throughout the drama of the wedding reception, and the scenes that followed, Jason Thompson and Mark Grossman were given the opportunity to show their acting chops given the meaty material that was well-written and they broke our hearts.

Photo: JPI
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Special mentions also needs to go to Courtney Hope as the new Mrs. Abbott with mew baby in tow, and Billy Flynn (Cane), who along with Thompson had many reaching for the hankies when they learned about Jill.
The scenes between Billy and Cane were fueled with such history as the two “brothers” try to commiserate over what might happen if Jill were to die.
However, when all was said and done, it was Jason Thompson and Mark Grossman, who while not the OG Billy and Adam, brought their rivalry full circle, while each commanding the screen when the moment called for it.

Photo: JPI
That’s why, Michael Fairman TV names Jason and Mark are picks for the Power Performances of the Week.
In case you missed it, check out our livestream chat with Jason Thompson and Courtney Hope, right after Billy and Sally welcomed their new little bundle of joy on the Michael Fairman Channel.
Now let us know, do you agree with our picks of Jason Thompson and Mark Grossman for the Power Performances of the Week, or did you have another pick? Weigh-in via the comment section.
General Hospital
Troy Lennon Appel on Auditioning Six Times for ‘General Hospital’ Before Being Cast in the Role of Hudson Parker

General Hospital introduced the character of Hudson Parker back on July 30, 2026 marking the first appearance of Troy Lennon Appel in the role.
Quickly, we learned there was some connection to Ethan Lovett, after Hudson tracked him down and beat up the guy, the potential that Hudson is the biological father to Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase’s (Josh Swickard) adopted daughter, Phoebe, and that he is now Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) right hand man at JJE.
On Sunday, October 25 in a brand new episode of the That’s Awesome Podcast with Steve Burton (Jason) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), the Stone Cold and the Jackal duo welcomed Troy Lennon Appel to the show to delve into his background, landing the role of Hudson, and what may come next in a teaser for upcoming episodes of GH.

Photo: ABC
A NEW CHARACTER CREATED JUST FOR TROY WAS THE TICKET TO PORT CHARLES
As it turned out, Troy revealed that he had actually auditioned for General Hospital on six different occasions before being cast as Hudson, the last audition being for the role of Joe Fitzpatrick that went to Jonathan Bennett.
Appel explained, “Every time I showed up (to audition), I was like, ‘All right, I gotta nail this because it’s General Hospital.‘ It was my sixth one where I auditioned for Joe Fitzpatrick, Jonathan Bennett’s character. That was last November. Then, it was February of this year when I came in for an in-person callback. My wife and I were just like, ‘You gotta nail this.’ I didn’t get that character. Obviously, Jonathan got that, but then, they created Hudson Parker for me. I’m shocked I’m even on this show right now!'”
The General Hospital newcomer was even more stoked when he realized that not only did the producers and writers create a role just for him, but that he was going on contract as a series regular.
Appel recalled, “All at once, they were like, ‘We’re going to offer you a three-year contract and we’re creating a character for you.’ It was just something you never expect to hear. I was on the phone and I just fell down to the ground. I went through the range of emotions you could have. I know I cried. I hyperventilated. I’ve never hyperventilated in my life. But now, I get to essentially live the dream I have.”

Photo: ABC
HUDSON AND JOSSLYN
Eden McCoy shares many a scene with Troy, and he gave her major kudos for getting him through the beginning weeks of his run as Hudson. “We did a chemistry test, together and I give her so much credit because obviously, she’s a pro. She’s been doing it for so long. I’ll do scenes with her where I’m like, ‘I got to just try to meet her where she’s at because she’s just so talented.'”
Troy added, “Eden took me under her wing, and just helped me out so much with understanding the process of all of this and even just knowing where to go, when, when to be where I need to be. I don’t know how I would be feeling if I didn’t have her always working with her and just helping me out the entire time.”
The mystery of just who this guy is will become clear in the weeks ahead as Appel revealed, “We actually just shot what Parker’s background is. Right now, I am the Vice President of Operations for JJE. I manager the company’s financials, essentially. But, there’s more to Hudson which we will eventually find out.” Getting the chance to mix it up with the cast, Troy added of Hudson, “He’s up to some stuff.”
Check out the full conversation with Troy Lennon Appel with Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson below.
Now weigh-in: what do you think about Troy having a role specifically creating for him after 6 auditions for GH? What do you think will be revealed of Hudson’s background in the weeks to come? Do you want to see a Josslyn and Hudson pairing? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GH Alums Kelly Monaco and Greg Vaughan to Reunite for Special Fan Event

General Hospital fan favorite Kelly Monaco (ex-Sam McCall) will be making a rare public appearance teaming up with her longtime friend and former leading man, Greg Vaughan (ex-Lucky Spencer), at a special fan event.
The announcement came from the stars on their social media accounts, but you can circle, Sunday, December 13, at Uncle Vinnie’s Comedy Club in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey as the spot to see Kelly and Greg at this meet and greet.
As General Hospital viewers know, Monaco spent 21 years as Sam McCall before being killed-off on the October 30, 2024 episode. Before that, she had become soap-famous for her dual roles as Livvie and Tess on the GH spinoff, Port Charles.

Photo: UncleVinnie’s
Vaughan is currently appearing on daytime’s newest soap opera in the recurring role of Dr. Kial Rollins, a role which he debuted back on December 8, 2025. Throughout his daytime career, Greg has appeared on The Young and the Restless (ex-Diego), Days of our Lives (ex-Eric) and as GH’s Lucky.
SAM AND LUCKY
It was back in 2007 that in story, Sam started pursuing Lucky (then played by Greg Vaughan) as a form of revenge against Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst). Sam was furious after learning that Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) had a child with Elizabeth while Sam and Jason were broken up. That child was Jake. Eventually, Sam and Lucky became a hit with viewers and would continue to cross each other’s paths.
Uncle Vinnie’s comedy club took to their Instagram and shared, “The fans asked and we always deliver!!” Tickets going fast! Order on our website.”
In addition, Shanna Moakler, who is in a relationship with Vaughan, took to the comment thread and exclaimed, “My two favorite people.” Moakler and Monaco had previously announced in March of 2025 the start-up of their podcast called Bad Bunnies. It was expected to cover pop culture, personal stories, and Hollywood secrets.
Then, in July 2025, it was confirmed that Kelly Monaco would no longer be participating. At the time, she stepped away due to personal family matters, focusing on maintaining a private life, and new work commitments.
So, would you love to see Kelly and Greg together again? Happy to see that Kelly is making a public appearance for her fans? Let us know via the comment section below.
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