WWE: CM Punk Reflects on 20 Year Anniversary of His WWE Debut, Kevin Owens Neck Injury & Potential Return Plans Update, Lucha Bros Reunite & Compete in Dark Match After 7/31 WWE SmackDown Show

CM Punk Reflects on 20 Year Anniversary of His WWE Debut

Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk reflected on Instagram about today being the 20 year anniversary of his official debut in WWE and WWE releasing several anniversary merchandise shirts commemorating the occasion.

“I debuted on WWE TV twenty years ago today.

From Philadelphia to Minnesota and everywhere in between. Today is for the fans. Thank you for the support.

This is a cool shirt. It means a lot to me. I’m fortunate I get to do this. I enjoy every moment in front of a live audience. It’s why I do house shows. It is a privilege. I wrestle every match like it is my last because I never know when it will be. Enjoy yourself. It’s later than you think…. Love you all.

This is the job. This is the responsibility.”

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Kevin Owens Neck Injury & Potential Return Plans Update

As noted before, Kevin Owens has been absent from WWE since April of 2025 due to a neck injury and surgery. Owens is currently expected to be making his return to WWE “very soon.” Owens had traveled to Minneapolis on Friday ahead of this weekend’s two-night SummerSlam 2026 event in the city.

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that Owens was training at WWE’s Performance Center in Orlando, Florida this past week.

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Lucha Bros Reunite & Compete in Dark Match After July 31 WWE SmackDown Show

WWE held a dark segment following Friday’s WWE SmackDown show in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

This segment featured Penta and Rey Fenix reuniting for the first time as the Lucha Brothers in WWE and competed in a tag team match against Judgement Day (JD McDonagh & Dominik Mysterio).

This match was setup following Penta defeating Mysterio in a dark singles match and McDonagh attacking Penta afterwards leading to Fenix running out for the save to setup the dark tag team match.

The Lucha Bros reunited after SmackDown went off the air!!!

OH HELL YEAH!!!!!

[Credits: Matt Kempke]#WWE #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/16797TWMhp

— Pro Wrestling Takes – WWE/AEW Opinions & Stories (@ProWresTakes) August 1, 2026