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Speculation On CM Punk’s Future Amid WWE Hiatus

By Gaurav Singh • Published Jun 30, 2026 04:56 EDT
CM Punk WWE
CM Punk (Image Source-WWE.com)

There is a new speculation regarding the future of CM Punk in WWE ahead of his anticipated return.

CM Punk has not been on TV for more than two months now. He last appeared on RAW after WrestleMania 42 to confront Cody Rhodes after losing his World Heavyweight title to Roman Reigns in the Mania main event.

Amid his absence from TV, there were rumors that CM Punk could move to SmackDown after his return. The Second City Saint recently hinted at his transfer to Friday Night SmackDown, saying he doesn’t know if he could make it to the Friday event of CFFC, where he is a commentator.

Potential update on when CM Punk will return and his WWE future

Speaking on the Wrestling Observer Radio recently, Dave Meltzer speculated on CM Punk’s potential return and creative plans by first reiterating Punk’s comments at CFFC, where he teased moving to SmackDown:

And then he was asked at one point about, you know, ‘Are you going to be back announcing for us?’ Because he said that he doesn’t travel anymore because his horse is sick. So he goes, ‘Well, if you’re on Fridays, I might be busy,’ which was his way of telling everyone that he’s bound for SmackDown.”

Meltzer further speculated that Punk could beat Sami Zayn for the WWE Championship in order to get to Cody Rhodes vs Punk at SummerSlam:

So that was that. So, you know, Punk on that side, he’s in the mix. He could beat Sami too. You know? I mean, eventually, obviously, they’re going to get to Punk with Cody. That’s the whole reason they’re doing this, is to get there. Originally, that was a SummerSlam match. You know, I mean, a lot of stuff changes. So that was that CM Punk story.”

Dave Meltzer concluded that CM Punk could be back by the July 6th RAW in his hometown of Chicago, and he could go against Sami Zayn after that:

So anyway, Punk should be back a week from Monday if he has his way. He wants to come back in Chicago July 6th. So, you know, that’s the deal, and then build for SummerSlam, obviously. Well, I mean, I don’t know who he goes against now. Maybe it’s Zayn. I mean, I don’t think it’ll be Oba. We’ll find out.” [H/T Ringside News]

It will be interesting to see if the Best in the World will return next Monday on RAW.