Backstage Update on CM Punk’s WWE Abscense & Return Plans

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. Punk is currently expected to return to WWE this July and for the SmackDown brand.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that while Punk is currently earmarked for the SmackDown brand when he returns, he has been pushing very hard to make his return on the July 6 RAW show due to it taking place in his hometown of Chicago.

Meltzer reported that Punk’s current abscense and departure from the RAW brand was basically to get him ready for moving to the SmackDown brand and eventually be in a program with Cody Rhodes.

Meltzer also reported that there have been some issues with WWE officials plans for Punk after WrestleMania for why he has been absent for so long but it is not as bad as some have made it out to be online.