Major update on CM Punk amid lengthy WWE absence since WrestleMania 42
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The Second City Saint teased a feud with Cody Rhodes in his last appearance.
‘The Second City Saint’ CM Punk suffered defeat in the Night 2 main event of WrestleMania 42 against ‘The OTC’ Roman Reigns. The World Heavyweight title was on the line for the match, and the loss shattered Punk’s reign that began in November 2025.
However, after the loss, Punk made an appearance on the fallout show of Raw, addressing fans. Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes also arrived during the segment, with the two even teasing a potential title showdown.
Rhodes even asked Punk to “Just say when,” regarding a potential showdown. Since that appearance, Punk has been absent from WWE programming. Many fans have criticized WWE, with the consensus being that creative had no plans for him, which is believed to be the reason behind his absence.
CM Punk is on a much-needed break
During a Q&A session on Fightful Select, WrestleVotes debunked the lack of creative rumours regarding the former World Heavyweight Champion. According to the report, Punk’s time away isn’t due to a lack of creative direction, but rather WWE allowing him an extended, much-needed break.
Votes were also reported last month that Punk is part of the plans for SummerSlam and indicated that he will return around the time of Saturday Night’s Main Event XLV on July 18.
SummerSlam 2026 will be a two-night spectacle on August 1 and 2 at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Multiple rumours continue to circulate regarding CM Punk
While there have been a ton of unsourced rumors and outright speculations, a user on X (Twitter), claiming to have the scoop on Punk’s absence, revealed that Punk may have been involved in disagreements over the WrestleMania main event and was unhappy with how things played out, which has created some tension with WWE and TKO executives.
The user also said that there is speculation that Punk may have been asked to take a pay cut by TKO, something which he reluctantly agreed to, potentially leading to frustration and even talk of possible legal action.
However, there is no clarity regarding Punk’s absence, and until either WWE or Punk addresses it directly, fans are likely to remain in the dark. For now, the situation should be taken with a pinch of salt.
What is the latest update on CM Punk?
Per WrestleVotes, Punk’s time away isn’t due to a lack of creative direction, but rather WWE allowing him an extended, much-needed break.
When will CM Punk return to WWE?
There is no clarity on his return status, but Votes reported last month that he is part of the plans for SummerSlam and indicated that he will return around the time of Saturday Night’s Main Event XLV on July 18.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.