CM Punk has not been granted WWE early release

STAMFORD, Conn., Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Reports of CM Punk's demise as a WWE star have been exaggerated.

The wrestling organization responded to three weeks of rumors Punk had been released from his contract early, telling people he is "done."

"WWE has officially stated that CM Punk has not been released," according to the site F4.

Punk disappeared from the WWE schedule at the end of January, going silent on Twitter and skipping an appearance on Monday Night Raw.

Punk reportedly told Chairman of the Board Vince McMahon he was going home -- and has said in the past that when he does, it will be for good.

"When I'm done, I'm done," he said in January. "I'm going to buy a cabin in some remote mountainous area and no one is ever going to see me again, and it's going to be awesome."

But so long as WWE does doesn't release him from his contract, Punk is here to stay -- at least until his contract ends in July.

[F4] [Cageside]