You know what they say. If at first yāou don't succeed with $1 million, try, try again. But with more money this time. It's a rule followed by 5 Star Wrestling owner Dan Hinkles.
Hinkles appeared on the and said he has increased his offer of $1 million for Punk to wrestą²le in his 128-man tournament. Hinkles also said he is going to try to talk to UFC Prą·“esident Dana White about allowing Punk to wrestle, even though Punk is currently signed with UFC.
āIāve never seen CM Punkās (UFC) contract,ā Hinkles said. āWe know that he had the fight, we know that he is a part of a multi-fight deal. Weāve also seen Dana White come out and say heās not going to fight in the UFC again. And weāve seen Punk come out and say heād love to. Iām not suggesting for a second that what (5 Star Wrestling) would do would take precedence over that. What Iām saying is, if Conor McGregor, the lightweight champion of UFC, can go and box Floyd Mayweather, whyĀ canāt CM Punk come and make $1 million wrestling? If the lightweight champion can go out and actually lose in a real fight. In the world of fighting, the last thing you want is your real champion to go and lose in another sport.ā
Hinkles said his offer is anything but a publicity stunt and sees this as an opportunity for the former WWE Champion to not only come back to wreā±stling, but also be the face of a burgeoning promotion.
āBut what we do is a bit different,ā Hinkles said. āIf CM Punk returns to professional wrestling, it would be an iconic moment, a great moment, that could really kickstartĀ (a potential return). He could go back to the WWE, and they would pay him fortunes to do that, far more than we could ever offer. But what we could do is say that you can go do that for a company where youāve already left, and we donāt know the real circumstances behind that, thatās his thing. But, he can come and really kickstart something here. He could come and be the guy that took this (promotion) to the top level.ā
Punk initially rejected the offer and 5Star Wrestling then announced that it has booked Rob Van Damā to compete in the tournament. The tournament begins on June 10 and does not end until December 30.
