A new update has provided more clarity on where CM Punk could land when he returns to WWE television, and it points to a major shift toward Friday Night SmackDown.
According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the current plan is for Punk to make his comeback on SmackDown rather than RAW. The reasoning behind the move is tied to roster balance. RAW is already loaded with top-tier talent, including Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, The Usos, Jacob Fatu, Oba Femi, Logan Paul, and Bron Breakker.
SmackDown, meanwhile, is being structured around a different core group. Cody Rhodes, Gunther, and Rhea Ripley are already positioned as central figures, with plans for Punk to join names like Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre on the blue brand.
One of the key reasons this move stands out is the long-discussed direction involving Rhodes and Punk. A feud between the two has been considered internally, and placing Punk on SmackDown would immediately align him with one of WWE’s top stars. That potential program would give the company a major storyline heading into the summer.
This latest update also marks a change from earlier expectations about Punk’s return timeline. Previous reports suggested he could be back as soon as July, with the July 6 episode of RAW in Chicago mentioned as a possible location. However, the focus has now shifted toward SmackDown as his landing spot.
Punk has been away from WWE programming since the April 20 episode of RAW. His absence led to speculation about his status, but WrestleVotes previously addressed those rumors and made it clear that there was no lack of creative direction for him.
“No, not true. Don’t know where that came from.”
WrestleVotes added further context regarding Punk’s time off:
“It’s a well-deserved rest for a guy who’s been going, outside of injury, for three straight years. Just main evented WrestleMania—get a little time off. He’ll be back in no time, right back at the top of the card. It is not true they have no plans for CM Punk.”
With this update, the discussion now shifts from when Punk will return to how WWE plans to use him. If SmackDown becomes his new home, it sets up a clear path for a high-profile program with Rhodes and strengthens the brand’s main event scene. WrestlingAttitude.com will continue to provide updates as more details emerge.
WA on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wrestlingattitude/
WA on Facebook (Women's Wrestling) - https://www.facebook.com/WrestlingDivas/
WA on X/Twitter - https://x.com/wa_wrestling
WA on Instagram (Women's Wrestling) - https://www.instagram.com/wa_wrestlingattitude/
WA on Google News - https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMJf3owsw2oG8Aw
WA on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlingattitude.bsky.social
