Well, the reality of it all is, that wrestlers get tired, for their own reasons, and leave; either legit or leave of absence if they have the clout to do so upon approval.
We've seen plenty dudes leave over the years; some even at the top of their popularity and some because the fans liked them, but management didn't.
Christian left for NWA:TNA because creative wasn't doing anything with him, told him to get himself over, he did with the Captain Charisma gimmick, and they still didn't push him. He left, quietly, went to NWA:TNA, was over with their crowds, won the title, WWE lured him back with the promise of a push, which was perfect timing because Kurt Angle (who was pissed about his character's direction, and failing numerous drug tests) went to TNA, took his spot, and it was deja vu all over again with him. He left for the greener pastures of WWE, even though they haven't done a damn thing with him storyline-wise since he's been back. He's just collecting a check.
Countless others have left WWE because of character development issues, but to make it a storyline for the sake of WHAT? Storyline? The "Reality Era" is going to be real short if they do this for everyone who has an issue with either management or another wrestler. If this is a storyline, and if Punk is in on it, just as we thought he was when he dropped his first pipebomb, which was a shoot, then the company turned that into a shoot/work/storyline; then it's cheap.
For years we've seen issues in the back be brought onto the stage. Remember the Matt/Lita/Edge love triangle, real shit, turned into a storyline? Go back to Jake Roberts and his drinking issues, with Jerry Lawler exploiting it on the air by pour liquor in Jake's mouth. So on and so fourth. Wrestling has always showcased some sort of reality into their scripts. So to say this Punk issue is a storyline may be just that because he hasn't been issued his endeavors statement, and he has 6 months left on his contract, so why let him go now, when they can milk the press for more 'Mania exposure?
If he pops out of the crowd at any point during the Road to WrestleMania, it'll only be for the pop and the media coverage. It's not going to advance Punk any higher than he's already been. He's already popular and he's been the champion, so what more does he want.....to book his own character?