Add as a preferred source on Google CM Punk has officially been confirmed as a full-time member of the SmackDown roster after capturing the Undisputed WWE Championship on the latest episode of Raw.
The confirmation came through an update to his profile on WWE.com, which now lists Punk as a member of the SmackDown roster.
Punk won the title by stepping in for Cody Rhodes in the main event of the latest Raw. The American Nightmare was set to challenge Sami Zayn, but he was brutally attacked by Gunther and ended up unable to compete.
The move to SmackDown had reportedly been in discussion even before Punk’s return. According to WrestleVotes Radio, USA Network had been pushing for over a year to get the “Second City Saint” a bigger presence on the Friday night show, given his status as one of WWE’s top stars.
Sources close to the creative team also say there’s no indication the new reign will be a short one. Punk is expected to hold onto the Undisputed WWE Championship for a long time.
This will mark the first time Punk has been an official member of SmackDown since the 2009-2011 period. His last match on the brand came in January 2014, when he teamed with the New Age Outlaws to take on The Shield.