What’s next for CM Punk after WWE Royal Rumble loss? Exploring possibilities
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CM Punk made his WWE in-ring return at Royal Rumble 2023 in the Men’s Rumble match as the #27th entrant. Punk stood over 21 minutes and eliminated two- Drew McIntyre and Dominik Mysterio to enter the final two. Punk was so close to winning the Royal Rumble match, but was eliminated by the eventual winner Cody Rhodes.
Both Punk and his fans were extremely disappointed about the loss. As CM Punk lost the Rumble match, what could be his next move? Here we explore possibilities of what’s next for ‘CM Punk’The Best in the World’.
CM Punk turning Heel & Feud Cody Rhodes
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The second city saint had a great promo with Cody Rhodes before and during the Royal Rumble match, which almost seemed like he was turning heel. He is the one who took it personally involving Cody’s dad and even had an evil smile during the match while delivering pedigree to Cody during the match.
Punk might turn heel after the Rumble match loss and could attack Cody Rhodes as a result of disappointment and frustration (similar to how Shawn Michaels reacted in 2010 after his Royal Rumble elimination, while he pursued to face Undertaker).
We have seen Punk as a heel during his first run and it was a great success. It would be great if Punk turns heel and attacks Cody to have a match at Elimination Chamber.
Elimination Chamber for the #1 Contender
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CM Punk could still make it to the World Heavyweight Championship, by entering the Elimination Chamber to become the #1 Contender for Seth Rollins‘ World Championship. WWE has already revealed that CM Punk will be featuring in the Elimination Chamber PLE in Perth, Australia. It could probably be for the Men’s Elimination Chamber match.
Feud with Drew McIntyre
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CM Punk and Drew McIntyre were never on good terms since Punk’s return to WWE. McIntyre weeks before the Rumble match spoke in front of Punk’s face that he is the leader of the locker room now. Punk also said that he would be a Satan to him at the Rumble match and proved that he was the one who eliminated Drew from the match. Since McIntyre was not the one who moved away from the past rivalries, he could come for revenge on Punk for a possibly brief rivalry before Elimination Chamber.
Feud with Judgment Day
CM Punk had his non-televised in-ring return match against Dominik Mysterio in the Live tour and was the one who eliminated Dominik Mysterio from the rumble match. If Punk wishes to challenge Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship, he could be a threat to Damian Priest for his MITB cash-in.
There can also be a potential feud with Finn Balor as Balor had previously said that he could wrestle a broomstick if he gets money, when asked about CM Punk. Since there is a lot of potential feud with Judgment Day, Punk could go on a feud with Judgment Day until Elimination Chamber.
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