WWE Spoilers: CM Punk update and WWE's negotiating window with NBCUniversal ends

Rumors swirled during the past several days that WWE had granted CM Punk an early release from his contract. The hullabaloo began with a PWInsider.com report that the company had let him out early after he exited WWE.

A subsequent report from Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer noted that WWE issued an official statement to clarify that Punk has not been released. This marked the first time WWE had publicly mentioned Punk's departure.

Wrestlezone.com reported Tuesday that the rumors started because AJ Lee received the weekend off from work. When locker room members found out that Lee would not be at live events last weekend, some began to speculate that she had also left the company, which spawned rumors that Punk had received an early release. According to the report, Lee simply got the weekend off and is still employed with WWE.

WWE and NBCUniversal Do Not Reach Deal

Variety reports that WWE and NBC Universal did not reach a deal last Friday for WWE's television rights before NBCU's exclusive negotiating period ended, so the company can now negotiate with any other network. The company issued the following statement on the matter:

"WWE's exclusive negotiating period with NBCU for our flagship television programs Raw and Smackdown has now expired.

While we were unable to reach an agreement with NBCU during this period, we have certainly appreciated our long and productive partnership. With year-round, live programming that is highly coveted by programmers, distributors and advertisers, we are extremely excited about our future. We look forward to engaging with potential partners who recognize the value of having the #1 show on cable and live content delivered 52 weeks a year."

The report further states that Raw and Smackdown will air on NBCU networks until Sept. 30. NBCU also has the right to match any offer from another network before WWE accepts it.