Following weeks of speculation and rumors regarding CM Punk’s status in WWE, a new report has shed light on the two sides’ relationship and his return.
With his last WWE TV appearance coming during the Raw after WrestleMania 42 on April 20, fans have been eagerly anticipating the return of CM Punk.
Punk’s absence has not seen him escape the news cycle entirely, with rumors circulating online regarding there being issues between Punk and WWE, and that being the reason that he’s been off TV for over two months.
While publications such as PWInsider reported that these rumors were entirely false, the Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer has now shared an update on the Punk and WWE situation in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Meltzer stated that saying there is no issues at all between WWE and Punk “wouldn’t be correct”, however, they are “not as bad as some have made it out to be”:
According to Meltzer, Punk was “pushing hard” to make his return to TV at the July 6 WWE Raw in Chicago, however, as has been previously reported, Punk is instead set to become a member of the SmackDown roster when he comes back into the WWE fold.
Earlier this month Punk was announced for an appearance at Fanatics Fest in New York City, on July 19, joining WrestleMania 42 opponent Roman Reigns, who has also been confirmed to be appearing.
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Finally The Time For The “Best In The World” Vs. “American Nightmare”
With CM Punk reportedly heading to SmackDown rather than WWE Raw, we could potentially see the much teased clash between he and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.
Rhodes is set to defend his title against Sami Zayn and GUNTHER at WWE Night of Champions on Saturday, and there’s certainly a possibility that either of his challengers could walk out of Riyadh with the title.
While there are many scenarios on the table for SummerSlam, including those that don’t see Cody walk into the event as WWE Champion, the biggest possible match to main event the show on a SmackDown side is certainly a bout between the “American Nightmare” and CM Punk.
The match was previously rumored to be in the works for WrestleMania 42, and it’s one the company have seemingly been keeping in their back pocket ever since Punk joined Cody in returning to WWE from AEW.
Waiting until WrestleMania 43 may be the route WWE go down, but if they do that, it’s difficult to imagine what plans justify Punk moving to Friday nights, rather than remaining on Raw.
A feud with the current version of Sami Zayn would be wildly entertaining, as would be a revisiting of his feud with Drew McIntyre, however, it feels like every other plan pales in comparison to what a feud between two of WWE’s biggest names would do for SmackDown heading into SummerSlam.
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