CM Punk disappearing from WWE advertising sparked plenty of speculation among fans, but a new report may have finally revealed when the company expects him back on television.
During a Q&A session, WrestleVotes was asked directly when Punk is expected to return to WWE programming after disappearing from television following the April 20 episode of RAW. According to WrestleVotes, the expectation internally is that Punk’s absence was always going to last a while — but WWE fully expects him back in the mix for SummerSlam season.
“It felt like it was going to be a bit of an extended stay. He’ll be back for SummerSlam. He’ll be on the marquee in some form or fashion—on every poster for downtown Minneapolis in 6–8 weeks. Maybe July 18th, Saturday Night’s Main Event at Madison Square Garden.”
That is especially notable because fans have spent a long time speculating about Punk’s status after WWE quietly removed him from promotional material for the company’s upcoming European Summer Tour and several June episodes of RAW.
Punk had originally been advertised for the overseas run beginning May 28 in Liverpool and continuing through the June 22 edition of RAW in London before suddenly disappearing from the listings. The situation quickly fueled online speculation, especially after Punk was also absent from WWE Backlash despite rumors connecting him to Danhausen and the teased mystery partner angle.
However, according to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE sources are insisting the situation is not tied to any deeper backstage issue.
“Punk has been removed from the advertising from the European tour and several other Raw dates in June. We were told there is nothing more to this than a schedule change.”
At this point, Punk’s next officially advertised appearance remains the July 6 edition of RAW in Chicago. But WrestleVotes specifically mentioning the July 18 Saturday Night’s Main Event show at Madison Square Garden now has fans wondering whether WWE could be saving Punk’s comeback for one of the company’s biggest summer events.
Bottom line: while CM Punk’s WWE absence created plenty of speculation online, the latest backstage update suggests WWE fully expects him back in time for SummerSlam season — potentially beginning with a major return at Madison Square Garden in July.
Do you think WWE is making the right move by keeping CM Punk off television for a while, or should he already be back in a major storyline? Leave your thoughts and feedback below.
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