Add as a preferred source on Google CM Punk still does not have a confirmed date for his WWE return, even after teasing a potential rivalry with Cody Rhodes on the RAW after WrestleMania 42.
The “Second City Saint” has not appeared on WWE programming since April 20, when he was confronted by the Undisputed WWE Champion after losing the World Heavyweight Championship to Roman Reigns at the Showcase of the Immortals.
According to False Finish, Punk’s absence is tied to a schedule change and, more importantly, a lack of new creative plans to bring him back to television.
The report states that Punk’s plans were changed after WWE moved Gunther to SmackDown and shifted Jacob Fatu to RAW for a feud with Roman Reigns.
Fightful Select had already reported that adjustments to Punk’s dates were being referred to internally simply as a “schedule change.” The Wrestling Observer Newsletter also noted that his removal from part of the European tour and several June RAW dates did not indicate a bigger issue.
Those changes affected WWE’s European tour dates between May 28 and June 22, including shows where Punk had previously been advertised.
As of now, WWE has not confirmed when Punk will return. Still, all signs point to his absence being a creative adjustment following recent changes to the company’s top rivalries, rather than an injury or disciplinary issue.