The wrestling world continues to speculate whether CM Punk and WWE are at odds. CM Punk has been absent from WWE TV since WrestleMania 42. Then, AJ Lee left WWE, and TKO began having talent restructure their contracts. This cosmic storm of events led many fans and reporters to speculate that WWE and CM Punk had a falling-out. All of that said, we confirmed that CM Punk is indeed heading back soon. That exact date remains to be determined. It turns out the two sides disagree about when his return should happen. Here’s the latest on the growing tension between WWE and CM Punk.
CM Punk and WWE Can’t Agree on Return Date
CM Punk fans shouldn’t worry just yet. Not only did a viral gem of CM Punk vs. Amazing Red just drop, but The Second City Saint is expected to be a part of SummerSlam. In fact, the former WWE World Champion is front and center on the post.
That said, CM Punk’s return date isn’t set in stone. This uncertainty has caused a bit of a rift between CM Punk and WWE. However, it’s expected that both sides will come to an agreement.
Currently, WWE Creative and CM Punk are on the same page for his storyline going into the Biggest Party of the Summer. It’s when to kickstart CM Punk’s Road to SummerSlam that’s causing a sticking point.
CM Punk Wants to Return on Raw in Chicago
There is no denying that CM Punk is Chicago-made, and his connection to the Illinois audience is almost unparalleled. So, it’s understandable that CM Punk wants to make his return in Chicago.
Fortunately (or unfortunately), for the Chicago native, WWE is coming to the Allstate Arena on Monday, July 6th, for Raw on Netflix. Normally, this wouldn’t be an issue for CM Punk. He’s been a fixture on Raw ever since the brand debuted on the streaming service.
In fact, CM Punk was the World Champion of the show the last time he was on WWE television. This logic aside, WWE doesn’t want to book CM Punk’s comeback in Chicago. The Creative Team has its own plans for CM Punk in mind.
WWE Wants CM Punk to Return on SmackDown
Even though CM Punk and WWE can’t agree on where he will return, they do agree on one thing. AJ Lee’s husband will be officially moving to SmackDown to start his SummerSlam program. Therefore, Creative wants CM Punk to make his return on the blue brand to start the feud off hot.
CM Punk is scheduled to face Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam. It’s unknown if the match will be for the Undisputed WWE Title, as there are rumors of Cody Rhodes losing the Title at Night of Champions.
Nonetheless, Cody Rhodes is a SmackDown talent. So, the TKO-owned company wants CM Punk to come on a Friday night episode to confront The American Nightmare.
CM Punk Advertised for Raw in Chicago
Naturally, CM Punk wants to tie up his run on Raw and address his hometown crowd. It will be interesting to see what the two sides agree on.
With all of this context, it looks like Larry’s dad might get his way. CM Punk is advertised for the Raw in Chicago as of now. Fans shouldn’t read too much into promotional materials for live events these days.
Even Stephanie Vaquer is advertised for the Illinois show, and La Primera has been out with an injury since WrestleMania. Neither CM Punk nor Stephanie Vaquer has been advertised on TV for appearing on Raw in Chicago, despite the website.
Raw in Chicago is two weeks away, so we will keep an eye on this Monday’s episode for any updates on Stephanie Vaquer and CM Punk’s status.