CM Punk has been pushing hard for his WWE return to take place on the July 6 episode of Raw in Chicago, even though plans have him moving to SmackDown for a program with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, according to Dave Meltzer in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Meltzer also noted that while Punk’s absence is primarily tied to his SmackDown transition, it would not be accurate to say everything is completely smooth between Punk and WWE.
Even though Punk is earmarked for SmackDown, he was pushing very hard for his return to be on the 7/6 Raw show because it’s in Chicago. His departure was basically to get him ready for moving to SmackDown and eventually a program with Rhodes, but to say there are no issues at all, that wouldn’t be correct. It’s not as bad as some have made it out to be, but it’s not like there aren’t any issues at all.
Meltzer previously reported that Punk’s expected SmackDown landing is designed to balance the rosters, with Raw carrying more star power at present through Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and others.
Punk has been absent from WWE programming since the Raw after WrestleMania 42, where a future match with Cody Rhodes was teased following Punk’s World Heavyweight Championship loss to Reigns on Night Two.
Rhodes is defending his Undisputed WWE title against Gunther and Sami Zayn in a triple threat at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia this Saturday. The King of the Ring finals between Oba Femi and Jey Uso also take place at the event, with the winner earning a world title shot at SummerSlam in Minneapolis.