Backstage Notes on Plans for CM Punk’s WWE Title Run

CM Punk made his big return to WWE TV on Monday Night Raw earlier this week, beating Sami Zayn and winning the WWE Undisputed Championship. WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select has more details on WWE’s plans for Punk’s title run.

According to the report, CM Punk is expected to have a lengthy reign with the belt, with most of it taking place on WWE SmackDown. Punk’s WWE.com profile currently still lists him as a Raw Superstar, so it possibly hasn’t been updated yet.

Additionally, WrestleVotes Radio reports that WWE broadcast partner NBCUniversal has been pushing for Punk’s presence on SmackDown for “well over a year,” as NBCU brass view Punk as a premier star. The report also notes that Punk will make appearances on Monday Night Raw when he is needed.

Punk served as a surprise replacement for Cody Rhodes, as Adam Pearce announced earlier during Raw that Rhodes was not cleared to compete. It was Punk’s first WWE TV appearance since the post-WrestleMania 42 edition of Monday Night Raw, where he confronted Rhodes during the broadcast.

Punk ended Sami Zayn’s title run after only nine days. As previously noted, Zayn was emotionally crushed after the loss.

.@WrestleVotes Radio on @FightfulSelect has learned that CM Punk is expected to have a lengthy reign, most of which will be taking place on SmackDown.

NBCU has been pushing for his presence on the show for well over a year, as they view him as a premier star. He will make Raw… pic.twitter.com/zuyU7NNs4E

— Fightful Wrestling (@Fightful) July 9, 2026