CM Punk has not appeared on the company’s programming since the WWE Raw After WrestleMania 42 three weeks ago.
Considering his status as one of WWE’s biggest stars, “The Best In The World” will likely have a major role to play on television heading into the Summer, despite being off TV right now.
Here are six potential WWE return plans for CM Punk.
6. Helping Finn Balor Against The Judgment Day
CM Punk defeated Finn Balor in his hometown of Chicago at WWE Elimination Chamber 2026
On the March 9 edition of WWE Raw, The Judgment Day excommunicated Finn Balor from the faction with a four-on-one beatdown.
Prior to kicking him out of the group, Balor was starting to show his true colors during his rivalry with CM Punk over the World Heavyweight Championship with displays of respect for “The Best In The World.”
It was also Punk who told Balor that he did not need The Judgment Day and could stand on his own once again.
Punk making his return could see him come back to help Balor with his Judgment Day problem, teaming to take on Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh to even the odds and settle the score.
5. Rekindling Rivalry With LA Knight
In 2025, LA Knight made the jump from Friday Night SmackDown to Monday Night Raw for the first time.
Coming over to Monday nights to take on Seth Rollins, it was CM Punk who got in the way and interfered in Knight’s World Heavyweight Championship opportunity.
This caused a simmering rivalry to begin between Punk and Knight with both men looking to claim their shot at the top prize on Raw.
Whenever he makes his return, Punk might find himself at odds with Knight once again with both stars looking to be the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship.
4. Answering The Oba Femi Open Challenge
Over the past few weeks, Oba Femi has been looking to create new opportunities for the talent on the WWE Raw roster.
At WWE WrestleMania 42 Night Two, Femi defeated Brock Lesnar in what was the biggest win of his career.
After seemingly retiring Lesnar, Femi has become an unstoppable force that strikes fear in the heart of most stars’ on the roster right now.
Punk returning to accept the Oba Femi Open Challenge will show just how much heart and determination “The Best In The World” really has, seeing him try and take on the fastest rising WWE star today.
3. Joining Forces With Seth Rollins Against The Vision
Seth Rollins has defeated CM Punk twice in singles competition since Punk returned to WWE in November 2023, while Punk has won once
Since returning to WWE in 2023, CM Punk has found himself embroiled in a feud with Seth Rollins.
With the connection formed during their mutual history on the indies and previous run in WWE, Rollins felt betrayed by Punk for the way he left the company and tried to tear it down for years.
This led to multiple battles against one another and the formation of The Vision that has made both men’s lives a living hell over the past year.
Now that he is at odds with Paul Heyman’s group, this could lead to an uneasy alliance between Rollins and Punk upon his return to try to take down The Vision once and for all.
2. WrestleMania 42 Rematch Against Roman Reigns For World Heavyweight Championship
Roman Reigns won his seventh world championship at WWE WrestleMania 42
At WWE WrestleMania 42 Night Two, Roman Reigns defeated CM Punk to win the World Heavyweight Championship.
Following this loss, Punk stated that he would not feel sorry for himself and would stay ready because no one knows when a title opportunity would fall out of the sky.
While Reigns has been busy with family business and his rivalry with Jacob Fatu, Punk could be waiting for the dust to settle before coming back for the title he just lost.
Punk returning to challenge “The OTC” for the World Heavyweight Title could be a massive showdown for an upcoming premium live event in the months to come.
1. Moving To SmackDown To Challenge Cody Rhodes For Undisputed WWE Championship
On the April 20 WWE Raw After WrestleMania 42, Cody Rhodes came out to confront CM Punk and have a conversation with his friend following their results at “The Grandest Stage of Them All.”
While the main event picture on WWE Raw has been centered on The Bloodline’s business, it might be time for Punk to make his way over to Friday Night SmackDown.
Punk moving to the blue brand would open the door for some fresh matchups and new rivalries for “The Best In The World.”
Considering Rhodes made it clear that all his friend had to say was “when,” fans could see Punk move to SmackDown and challenge for the Undisputed WWE Championship sooner rather than later.
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