Add as a preferred source on Google CM Punk has been off WWE programming since the Monday Night RAW after WrestleMania 42, when he came face-to-face with Cody Rhodes after losing the World Heavyweight Championship to Roman Reigns.
According to PWInsider, Punk was not backstage at Backlash and was also not expected at this week’s RAW, held in Knoxville, Tennessee. His absence drew attention because many fans believed he could show up as Danhausen’s mystery partner, which didn’t happen.
With that, the situation is starting to get trickier for WWE. There are only a few episodes of RAW left before Saturday Night’s Main Event on May 23 and Clash In Italy, set for May 31 in Turin.
Night of Champions, scheduled for June 27 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, is also already on the company’s official calendar. Interestingly, Punk appeared in the event’s promotional video alongside names like Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and Roman Reigns.
Still, as of now, WWE has not given any official explanation for the former World Heavyweight Champion’s absence.
The expectation is that Punk will return before SummerSlam, which will be held on August 1 and 2 in Minneapolis. However, as the weeks go by, his absence is becoming more and more noticeable on the red brand.