CM Punk’s WWE Absence Explained: Creative Shifted After Gunther And Jacob Fatu Moves, Return Awaited

CM Punk’s absence from WWE television since the April 20 Raw is the result of creative plans shifting after WWE moved Gunther to SmackDown and brought Jacob Fatu to Raw to feud with Roman Reigns, per False Finish, which noted Punk is currently awaiting new creative direction for his return. Fightful Select separately confirmed the absence is due to a schedule change.

Punk last appeared on the Raw after WrestleMania 42, where he had a face-off with Cody Rhodes and teased a potential pursuit of the Undisputed WWE Championship. He was not backstage at Backlash on May 9 and has since been removed from advertising for WWE’s European Summer Tour.

WrestleVotes has reported in a Q&A session that Punk is part of the plans for SummerSlam 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota on the August 1-2 weekend, with a possible earlier return cited as Saturday Night’s Main Event XLV on July 18 at Madison Square Garden.