CM Punk's Rumored WWE Return Date Revealed (WWE News)
Raw looks likely for CM Punk's WWE return despite ongoing SmackDown chatter.
WrestleVotes on Fightful Select is hearing from backstage sources that "there remains an expectation" one CM Punk will return to WWE television on the 6 July edition of flagship show Raw. This news filters in amidst speculation that Triple H plans to move Punk to SmackDown going forwards.
Pre-Night Of Champions, many predicted that Punk would rival then-WWE Champion Cody Rhodes for the title (possibly even at SummerSlam). Of course, Sami Zayn bagged the top prize in a Triple Threat bout with Cody and Gunther over in Saudi Arabia last weekend. That result should postpone any proposed Rhodes vs. Punk championship showdown.
During their write-up, WrestleVotes/Fightful confirmed what they'd previously reported approx 3 weeks ago. There's "no heat" between Punk and WWE management. Now, internally, the promotion is looking forward to CM's comeback, and they think Raw in Chicago is the perfect place to make that happen.
Sources at the Allstate Arena also chimed in to say they haven't been told of any changes. Locally, Punk is still being heavily promoted as one of the key lures for shifting tickets to the event. It'd be bold if WWE changed their minds now. Card subject to change, and all that!
The 6 July Raw will feature Zayn defending his newly won WWE Title vs. Cody in a singles clash. Perhaps Punk will have some sort of impact on that. Or, he could address his immediate future and talk about the SmackDown leap.
Either way, Punk is expected to be in the house for this coming Monday's show.