Backstage report on CM Punk’s WWE in-ring return timeline

(Courtesy : WWE)
‘The Best in the World’ got injured during the 2024 Royal Rumble match
CM Punk has been on a long hiatus from in-ring competition since Royal Rumble 2024, where he tore his right tricep muscle. Punk’s injury played a major role and changed the WrestleMania 40 as a whole. Drew McIntyre took Punk’s WrestleMania spot and claimed that he was the man to end Punk’s WrestleMania dream.
With Punk being injured, Drew was able to fulfill his World Championship dream at the grandest show. However, that didn’t last longer, as CM Punk made Drew lose the title within minutes paving the way for Priest to cash in his contract.
Since then, Punk has been showing up regularly to play the Cat and Mouse Game with Drew McIntyre. As most were wondering when their match would happen, a backstage report potentially revealed CM Punk’s in-ring return timeline hinting it is not so far.
CM Punk’s WWE in-ring return timeline
On the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer addressed CM Punk’s WWE in-ring return timeline. Meltzer said that CM Punk’s WWE in-ring return is not that far. He said that Punk is most likely to return by the end of “July, August, maybe September” if he had got the surgery done by the end of January. He believes that he will be back during SummerSlam.
Meltzer said,
“Punk’s not that far from being back most likely. If he had his surgery at the end of January, you’re looking at the end of July, August, maybe September. It’s not that far away anymore. He might make SummerSlam.”
Meltzer added that if Punk is cleared to make his in-ring return at SummerSlam, CM Punk vs Drew McIntyre for the World title is a possibility.
“And if he can make SummerSlam, Punk and Drew for the title, that makes a lot of sense. Even if he can’t, you can do it a month after. Punk will be back fairly soon, it’s not as far away as sometimes you think because of that surgery.”
You might have wondered about the world title match picture, but it is important to note that on the May 13, 2024 episode of Raw, Damian Priest guaranteed a World Heavyweight Championship title shot to Drew McIntyre, as soon as he gets cleared.
Based on the ongoing tease, rumors and reports, it is quite predictable that Drew McIntyre could win the title back and will defend against CM Punk later this year, probably by SummerSlam 2024.
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