I'm really getting sick of all of the rumors.
Punk doesn't have a good relationship with Vince? What? He just said he texts him all the time in the middle of the night (and has told that story a few times). Yeah, I'm sure they disagree creatively, but Punk has said that time and again as well.
He is burnt out. He has said for a while that he is in pain, and we know he doesn't take meds to dull the pain at all. He needs a break. NFL players get 4 months off completely away from the team if they choose not to do their own workouts with teammates outside of the facilities. NBA players get 3 months off. MLB players 3 months. Boxers can get 9 months off. MMA fighters can get 4 months to a year off. In WWE, you get 1 full day off every week, and you're constantly on planes or driving at ridiculous hours. You're taking crazy bumps and wrestling hurt, or injured. The guy had major surgery and was only out JUST UNDER 2 months, and returned to take on a monster in Brock Lesnar, who, despite this sport being 'fake', literally beats the snot out of his opponents. Yeah, there are guys who have been injured and come back fast (Cena) and don't openly complain, but the miles (as Punk said) are different between the two.
If you want to call him soft compared to SOME of his counterparts in professional wrestling, go ahead. Stupid, but go ahead. But don't sit here and act like it is pussy of a guy to work in the wrestling business AS WELL AS the entertainment business that the WWE is currently and want a break from it all for a while. I mean, just the fact that everyone involved in the business to comment on this so far who said he needs a break because he works his ass off harder than almost anyone should tell you something.
Does things like Sting and Dave and Triple H weigh on his mind? I'm sure it does. He played ball for the bullshit with The Rock... can you blame him for being fed up of WWE constantly pushing the mission he has been trying to really change for years, knowing now that he is clearly fighting a losing battle? If he's really gone, for good, can't blame him. If he's taking a break, I'm sure he needs it.
I do think it's a work... but the realism of it is intriguing, because he is on record of saying he needs a break.