CM Punk behind-the-scenes | Credit: WWE CM Punk’s comeback to WWE television could per insiders begin with one final appearance on Raw before he officially transitions to the SmackDown brand.
Earlier this month, Dave Meltzer reported that Punk looks set to move to SmackDown upon returning from his post-WrestleMania 42 hiatus, with the move potentially setting up a rivalry with Undisputed WWE Titleholder Cody Rhodes.
Citing Meltzer, the roster change is intended to better balance WWE’s star power, as Raw currently features a deeper lineup of featured contest talent.
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Meltzer provided an update, reporting that Punk has been pushing for his reappearance to take place on the July 6 episode of Raw in the Chicago area, his hometown.
Meltzer noted that the situation is not entirely straightforward, while Punk’s absence has largely been viewed as a creative decision to facilitate the move to SmackDown and an eventual program with Rhodes. “His departure was basically to get him ready for moving to Smackdown and eventually a program with Rhodes, though to say there are no issues at all, that wouldn’t be correct.”
He also mentioned that while some reports have overstated the situation, there are still underlying issues. “It’s not as dismal as some have made it out to be, though it’s not like there aren’t any issues at all.”
Punk has not appeared on WWE television since the Raw following WrestleMania 42, where he relinquished the World Heavyweight Belt to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania before a future Undisputed WWE Championship showdown with Cody Rhodes was teased the following night.
Rhodes is lined up to defend the Undisputed WWE Strap against Gunther and Sami Zayn in a Triple Threat Encounter at Night of Champions this Saturday in Saudi Arabia.
Following the premium live event, WWE is projected to shift its attention toward SummerSlam, where the winner of the King of the Ring final between Jey Uso. Oba Femi will earn a world strap battle against either Rhodes or Reigns.