A WWE wrestling icon may be lured to Dundee after being offered an eye-watering $1 million fee to return to the sport.
Three years ago, popular star CM Punk quit World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) amid rumours of a fall-out with the organisation’s boss Vince McMahon.
British event organisers 5 Star Wrestling hope to entice the superstar back for a UK-wide tour, which includes a show at Dundee Ice Arena in July.
The 38-year-old attempted to break into the world’s premier mixed martial arts body, the UFC, but lost via submission in the first round of his debut fight last year.
Despite quitting wrestling, he remains a household name in the sport, and a return is likely to create shock-waves among fans across the globe.
5 Star’s creator, Daniel Hinkles, said, despite not hearing back from the wrestler yet, he was hopeful that he will join what will be the world’s first 128-man wrestling tournament.
“We’ve been trying to contact CM Punk on and off for well over a year. We wanted him on the first show we did in Edinburgh in 2015,” he said.
“I’ve tried going through friends in the industry, I’ve gone through his website and sent dozens of emails but the opportunity has never been this big.
“We want to offer CM Punk $1 million dollars (£770,000) to come and join the 5 Star Wrestling tour starting June 10.
“It’s a genuine offer. We’d love to hear back from the man himself. We want to do this with him.”
The American, whose real name is Phil Brooks, is currently signed to a multi-fight contract with the UFC, but Hinkles believes the biggest wrestling contract offer ever seen in the UK could entice him back.
He added: “It doesn’t get more credible than CM Punk.
“We all know that if he ever comes back to wrestling it will be one of those epic moments – I want that to be with 5 Star Wrestling, right here in the UK.
“A common saying in the wrestling world is that the UK has the best fans, well how about we give them the biggest moments too.
“We are hugely ambitious. When we ask the fans who they want to see, CM Punk’s name is on everybody’s wish list and we’re willing to spend big to make it happen.
“I know he is seemingly focused on MMA at the moment and this wouldn’t have to end that, but wrestling is in his blood and $1 million has to be worth thinking about.”
The company recently hosted a show in January in Dundee which saw more than 2,000 fans flock to the same venue to witness household names including Rey Mysterio.
As well as arriving in the city on July 8, 5 Star’s latest tour will take in ten other UK cities, including one other Scottish date in Aberdeen.
