Major WWE Update On CM Punk's In-Ring Return

When is CM Punk currently expected to be back in action?

by Andrew Pollard
Drew McIntyre CM Punk
WWE

With CM Punk now advertised for this week's SmackDown from Chicago's Allstate Arena, many are speculating when the Second City Saint will be back in in-ring action.

Speaking at the post-Clash at the Castle press conference, Punk revealed that he'd be skipping last night's Raw to head home to Chicago to speak with his doctor in the hope of being cleared to return to the ring. As the Straight-Edge Superstar detailed, he's hoping to be able to announce on SmackDown that his doctor has given him the all-clear to once again lace up his boots.

On this topic, WrestleVotes reports that, as of last week, CM Punk's official return date was set for the end of July. The belief is that he likely won't be cleared in time for Money in the Bank on 6 July, but that he will be ready for action at SummerSlam on 3 August.

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Of course, despite being out with a tricep tear suffered at Royal Rumble, Punk has still maintained a semi-regular presence on WWE TV as he continues to feud with Drew McIntyre. Where that's concerned, the latest twist in the road saw the Punker cost McIntyre the World Heavyweight Championship at Clash at the Castle this past weekend, which was followed by the Scottish Warrior "quitting" WWE on last night's Raw.

As such, one has to imagine that, should CM Punk indeed be cleared for SummerSlam, it'll be him and DM Hunk squaring off at the Biggest Party of the Summer.

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Once described as the Swiss Army Knife of WhatCulture, Andrew can usually be found writing, editing, or presenting on a wide range of topics. As a lifelong wrestling fan, horror obsessive, and comic book nerd, he's been covering those topics professionally as far back as 2010. In addition to his current WhatCulture role of Senior Content Producer, Andrew previously spent nearly a decade as Online Editor and Lead Writer for the world's longest-running genre publication, Starburst Magazine, and his work has also been featured on BBC, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, WhatToWatch, Sportkskeeda, and various other outlets, in addition to being a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic. Between his main day job, his role as the lead panel host of Wales Comic Con, and his gig as a pre-match host for Wrexham AFC games, Andrew has also carried out a hugely varied amount of interviews, from the likes of Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, Adrienne Barbeau, Rob Zombie, Katharine Isabelle, Leigh Whannell, Bruce Campbell, and Tony Todd, to Kevin Smith, Ron Perlman, Elijah Wood, Giancarlo Esposito, Simon Pegg, Charlie Cox, the Russo Brothers, and Brian Blessed, to Kevin Conroy, Paul Dini, Tara Strong, Will Friedle, Burt Ward, Andrea Romano, Frank Miller, and Rob Liefeld, to Bret Hart, Sting, Mick Foley, Ricky Starks, Jamie Hayer, Britt Baker, Eric Bischoff, and William Regal, to Mickey Thomas, Joey Jones, Phil Parkinson, Brian Flynn, Denis Smith, Gary Bennett, Karl Connolly, and Bryan Robson - and that's just the tip of an ever-expanding iceberg. Where his beloved Wrexham AFC is concerned, Andrew is co-host of the Fearless in Devotion podcast, which won the Club Podcast of the Year gong at the 2024 FSA Awards.