The expectation remains that CM Punk will return to WWE television on the July 6 Raw in Chicago, with a source at Allstate Arena telling WrestleVotes on Fightful Select that they have not been informed of any change to Punk’s promotional status — which is why he continues to be heavily advertised for the show.
WrestleVotes reported three weeks ago that sources indicated there is no backstage heat between Punk and WWE, and a Chicago return has been the preferred plan throughout. Dave Meltzer separately reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Punk has been pushing hard for the July 6 date specifically because of the Chicago connection, with Allstate Arena being in his hometown.
While the broader plan is for Punk to land on SmackDown — where a program with Cody Rhodes is the expected direction — a Raw appearance in Chicago first would be a logical exception.
Punk has been absent from WWE television since the Raw after WrestleMania 42, where he had a face-to-face segment with Rhodes following his World Heavyweight Championship loss to Roman Reigns on Night Two. Multiple sources across WrestleVotes and Fightful Select have indicated his absence was primarily creative-related rather than a sign of any deeper issue, though Meltzer noted earlier this week that describing the situation as entirely smooth would not be accurate either.
The July 6 Raw also features Sami Zayn defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes