WWE SmackDown Stars To Replace CM Punk On Raw

WWE

Since WWE WrestleMania 42, CM Punk has been absent from the company’s television, enjoying some time off for the first time during this run.

Recent reports have indicated that WWE are planning to move Punk to SmackDown when he returns to WWE television.

If Monday Night Raw is losing one of its top stars, there should be someone from Friday Night SmackDown who is going to replace “The Best In The World.”

Here are seven WWE SmackDown stars to potentially replace CM Punk on Raw.

7. Drew McIntyre

Another WWE star who has been absent from the company’s programming since WrestleMania 42 is Drew McIntyre.

To start 2026, McIntyre was on top of the wrestling world after defeating Cody Rhodes to win the Undisputed WWE Championship.

“The Scottish Warrior” has established himself as one of the biggest stars in the promotion and will remain a key player in the main event picture moving forward.

McIntyre returning and replacing Punk on WWE Raw would be a logical move to keep him away from his bitter rival and provide a change of scenery for the former Undisputed WWE Champion.

6. Ilja Dragunov

While Ilja Dragunov came back to WWE in October 2025 to win the United States Championship, 2026 has not seen “The Mad Dragon” utilized on a consistent basis.

Since losing the title at the tail end of 2025, Dragunov has found himself on the outside looking in on SmackDown as of late.

Searching for a new opportunity to stand out once again, Dragunov may need to make his way back to the red brand.

Competing with stars like Penta, Chad Gable or even Roman Reigns, a move to Raw might be the best decision for Dragunov now if he plans on breaking through the glass ceiling.

5. Rey Fenix

Since signing with WWE in April 2025, Rey Fenix has struggled to find a prominent role on the company’s television.

However, Fenix recently defeated Laredo Kid to win the AAA World Cruiserweight Championship at the AAA Noche de Los Grandes event.

This led to Fenix making history by defeating Axiom to retain the title, becoming the first man to successfully defend the AAA World Cruiserweight Title on WWE TV.

Wanting to reunite with his brother Penta, Fenix could make the jump to Monday Night Raw where he can continue his singles success and dip The Lucha Brothers’ toes into the tag team pool on the red brand.

4. Royce Keys

At WWE Royal Rumble 2026, Royce Keys made his debut with the company as an entrant in the Men’s Royal Rumble.

Then, Keys made his way to Friday Night SmackDown where he won the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal and became a regularly featured talent on the brand.

The former Powerhouse Hobbs has also showcased his friendship and past history with Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, The MFTs and The Bloodline.

Replacing CM Punk on WWE Raw would be the best way for Royce Keys to continue to be a presence in The Bloodline’s storyline in the coming weeks and months.

3. Solo Sikoa

Another WWE star who has found himself in the middle of the drama surrounding The Bloodline is Solo Sikoa.

At WWE Clash In Italy 2026, Roman Reigns defeated Jacob Fatu in a Tribal Combat to retain the World Heavyweight Championship. Post match, fans saw Solo Sikoa and The MFTs standing in the crowd, watching the aftermath of Tribal Combat.

Then on the June 12 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, Fatu came with a message from Reigns to Sikoa asking his cousin to come home to The Bloodline.

Despite his refusal to come home, Sikoa may find himself closer to Roman and The Bloodline more than ever if he is forced to make the jump to WWE Raw in the place of CM Punk.

2. Sami Zayn

Sami Zayn has found himself right in the thick of things in the Undisputed WWE Championship picture on SmackDown.

Despite a series of key losses in recent months, Zayn has been embroiled in an ongoing heated story with his former friend Cody Rhodes.

However, Zayn is someone who has been a main eventer at various points over the years.

With The Bloodline taking over on WWE Raw again, Zayn might need a reunion and a return to being a “Honorary Uce” if CM Punk moves to SmackDown and needs a replacement on Monday nights.

1. Randy Orton

While he remains one of the biggest stars in all of WWE today, Randy Orton has not been seen on the company’s television since WrestleMania 42.

The last time that the fans saw Orton, he was delivering a vicious Punt Kick to the head of Cody Rhodes following his loss in an Undisputed WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 42 Night One.

After being on the sidelines for the past couple of months, Orton could make his return and become the chosen replacement for CM Punk.

If WWE wants a star of equal power to Punk, the company would be hard-pressed to find anyone better suited than Orton right now.

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• wwe
• cm punk
• Smackdown
• RAW

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