CM Punk WWE Return Plans

Published: 1 hour ago by SP3 | Last Updated: 1 hour ago by SP3

Born in Harlem, New York and now living in the Bronx, Sid Pullar III aka SP3 is a lifelong wrestling fan who has been covering the industry for over nine years as a podcaster and writer. His passion for the industry has been documented with over 3,000 videos on YouTube and 8,000 written pieces across multiple outlets, such as WrestleTalk, Sports Illustrated and more.

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CM Punk has not appeared on the company’s television since the April 20 WWE Raw after WrestleMania 42.

This has led to some rumors and reports indicating that “The Best In The World” is awaiting new creative for himself upon his return.

Punk is still one of the biggest stars in all of WWE today and needs to be positioned into something important when he does make his way back to the promotion.

Here are seven potential CM Punk return plans.

7. Replacing Someone In King of the Ring

Cody Rhodes and GUNTHER both won the King of the Ring and went on to win world titles at SummerSlam

On the June 1 episode of Monday Night Raw, the 2026 King of the Ring tournament got underway with the first fatal four way match in the quarterfinals.

While the bracket has been revealed, there could be some changes that happen to the field over the next few weeks.

CM Punk replacing someone who is taken out would be interesting and open the door for him to have a prominent spot in the tournament.

Taking part in the King of the Ring would immediately put Punk in a top position and have him become an odds-on favorite to win the entire tournament.

6. Move To Friday Night SmackDown

Since making his return to WWE in 2023, CM Punk has been a major star on the Monday Night Raw roster.

Regularly featured on the red brand, Punk has stood among the top names on the roster and could continue to play a pivotal role moving forward.

However, it might be time for Punk to make his way to Friday Night SmackDown where he can have a bunch of new feuds in the near future.

Whether it be Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton or newer stars like Trick Williams and Ricky Saints, there are plenty of possibilities for Punk on the blue brand.

5. Rekindling Rivalry With Drew McIntyre

One individual on the Friday Night SmackDown roster that CM Punk is no stranger to is Drew McIntyre.

In 2024, McIntyre injured Punk during the Men’s Royal Rumble Match that sparked one of the most personal and intense rivalries in recent memory.

Culminating in a violent and bloody war inside Hell In A Cell, Punk and McIntyre left fans with memories they will never forget ever again.

Punk coming to SmackDown might see “The Best In The World” rekindle his rivalry with “The Scottish Warrior” on a new landscape.

4. New Feud With Chad Gable

At AAA Noche de Los Grandes 2026, El Grande Americano defeated The Original El Grande Americano in a Mask vs. Mask Match.

After the bout, The Original El Grande Americano was forced to unmask and reveal himself as Chad Gable.

This should lead to Gable having a prominent feud on WWE TV moving forward, which could come in the form of CM Punk.

Punk battling Gable might be the best way to have “The Second City Saint” make his return and give the former Olympian a significant feud in the company.

3. First Time Meeting With Oba Femi

Oba Femi suffered his first loss on the WWE main roster at Clash in Italy 2026, falling to Brock Lesnar

At WWE WrestleMania 42 Night Two, Oba Femi defeated Brock Lesnar in what was the biggest win of his career.

“The Ruler” seems ready to be launched into the stratosphere and encounter some top talents in the company.

While he suffered a loss to Lesnar in their rematch at WWE Clash In Italy, Femi could collide with a top star like CM Punk next.

“The Best In The World” might just be the perfect next opponent for Oba at this stage of his young career.

2. Rematch With Roman Reigns For World Heavyweight Championship

Roman Reigns won his seventh world championship at WWE WrestleMania 42

CM Punk is still trying to recover from his loss to Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship at WWE WrestleMania 42 Night Two.

Heading into this showdown, things got extremely personal between Punk and Reigns in a major way.

It would be easy for Punk to return and immediately thrust himself into the main event scene by challenging Reigns to a rematch.

After their unforgettable main event of Mania, Punk facing off with Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship feels like one of the biggest potential matches that WWE could produce moving forward.

1. Challenging Cody Rhodes For Undisputed WWE Championship

On the April 20 WWE Raw After WrestleMania 42, CM Punk was confronted by Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.

While Punk suffered a loss against his arch nemesis Roman Reigns, Rhodes was forced to fight and defeat his former friend Randy Orton.

This led to an interesting confrontation between Punk and Rhodes where they teased a future title match.

Upon his return to WWE, it would make a ton of sense for Punk to make the move to Friday Night SmackDown and challenge his friend Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam 2026 or even WrestleMania 43.