CM Punk Reportedly Planned To Return On WWE SmackDown Brand

CM Punk will reportedly return as a member of SmackDown.

As of writing, almost two months have passed since CM Punk last appeared on WWE TV. On the RAW after WrestleMania 42, the former World Heavyweight Champion came face to face with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, and, with speculation running wild over the status of the ‘Second City Saint’, it now appears the company are looking to have the two icons meet on the SmackDown brand in the near future.

According to an update from Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it’s believed CM Punk is planned to return on the SmackDown brand, with it noted that a clash with Cody Rhodes has long been a direction WWE have wanted to explore.

“The plan right now is for him to return on Smackdown, which is basically a balancing act. The belief is with Raw having Reigns, Rollins, The Usos, Fatu, Femi, Logan Paul and Breakker that Punk made more sense on Smackdown with a top tier of Rhodes, Gunther, Ripley and soon to be Punk, Orton and McIntyre. Plus Rhodes vs. Punk has been a direction.”

-Dave Meltzer

A match between Rhodes and Punk has been highly sought after by WWE fans since the Chicagoan’s stunning return at Survivor Series 2023. Despite their respect stints in AEW overlapping by around six months, the pair haven’t competed in a televised singles match in almost two decades. After brief teases of a feud over the last several years, viewers of Friday Night SmackDown may finally get to see ‘The American Nightmare’ vs. ‘The Voice of The Voiceless’ while both are at the top of their game.

Due to his absence, rumours have recently run wild regarding the WWE status of CM Punk, including speculation relating to AJ Lee’s creative plans. In a recent update, reports have shed more light on the current situation between CM Punk and WWE. You can find the latest information here.

As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on WWE’s future plans for CM Punk as soon as we hear more.