CM Punk WWE Abscense & Return Plans Update – Punk Expected To Return This July

CM Punk has been absent from WWE since this past April’s WWE RAW After Mania show. Punk’s current abscense and being pulled from WWE’s recent European tour was believed to be due to a recent “schedule change” for him and WWE changing their post-WrestleMania 42 plans for him after moving Gunther to SmackDown and Jacob Fatu to RAW. Several online rumors including claims of Punk wanted out of his contract with WWE and was asked to take a pay cut were recently debunked.

WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select reported that one source spoken to stated that “signs point” to Punk making his return on or before the July 6th WWE RAW show at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, which is nearby Punk’s hometown of Chicago.

It was reported that while the July 6th date has not been confirmed yet by their other sources, the current expectation is that Punk’s return to WWE programming is not that far away.

It was also reported that WWE officials currently have plans for Punk to play a significant role at this August’s SummerSlam 2026 event.