WWE’s Plans For CM Punk’s Return Amid TV Absence Revealed

TLDR

According to Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE's current plan is for CM Punk to return on Friday Night SmackDown rather than RAW, with the direction being to set up a feud with Cody Rhodes. The move is reportedly being considered because RAW already has a stacked roster of major names, while SmackDown's top tier is being built around Cody Rhodes, Gunther, Rhea Ripley, and soon Punk, Randy Orton, and Drew McIntyre. Punk has been off WWE television since the April 20 episode of RAW, with WrestleVotes previously stating his absence was a well-deserved break after his WrestleMania main event run rather than a lack of creative plans.