WWE: 3 bold predictions for CM Punk's return ahead of RAW
After making his surprise return to the WWE Universe at Survivor Series, here are three bold predictions ahead of CM Punk's return to RAW.
Folks, it's official: CM Punk is back in WWE.
That's right, after being fired on his wedding day nearly a decade ago and saying darn near every bad thing he could think of about the promotion during his time as a free agent, as a member of UFC, and most recently as a member of AEW, you-know-where has frozen over and the “Best in the World” is back, and he'll be appearing on RAW tonight to talk to the world about where he's been, why he returned, and where he wants to be moving forward.
Will the promo be explosive? Oh yeah, you'd better believe that bad boy is going to be recorded, transcribed, and dissected frame by frame like the Zapruder film, but whether he immediately steps back into the ring for a wrestling match, finds his next feud, or simply delivers a “State of Punk 2023” address like he did in AEW on two occasions, it's safe to say this is the beginning of an incredible, multi-year journey, assuming it lasts that long for one reason or another.
So, with the “Best in the World” officially back, why not take a shot at the prediction game and try to imagine what this run in WWE could look like?
NEVER. SAY. NEVER.@CMPunk has just returned to WWE at #SurvivorSeries!!! pic.twitter.com/0dpG6vyT5r
3. CM Punk debuts as a heel on Monday Night RAW.
After leaving AEW for WWE, it's pretty safe to say CM Punk is already being considered one of the biggest babyfaces in the promotion by some fans for no other reason than his decision to come back to the “light side” of the proverbial wrestling war.
Can Punk work as a babyface? Sure, but at his heart, he's a heel, and with an Avengers-style collection of babyfaces already on RAW, it feels only right for Punk to come into the WWE with his guns blazing, shooting on the performers who let the promotion's quality slack while he was gone, even if all of the numbers would suggest that isn't the case. Considering the pre-existing storylines with Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre, who were less than enthused by his return at Survivor Series – even if the duo have since clarified their actions – and “The Best in the World's” ability to operate as an anti-hero who can work against both babyfaces and heels, why not embrace the antagonistic nature of Phil Brooks the man and CM Punk the character instead of running away from it?
BREAKING NEWS: The returning @CMPunk and @RandyOrton will both be on #WWERaw tomorrow night live from @BrdgstoneArena in NASHVILLE!
��️ TICKETS ON SALE NOW: https://t.co/aWmbYNBvwEpic.twitter.com/rO8eo6vjuH
2. CM Punk doesn't become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
So, if CM Punk already has a pre-existing feud lined up with the current WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins, it's only a matter of time before he takes the title off the “Visionary” and adds another World Championship to his resume, right?
Whoa, whoa, whoa, not so fast, my friend; while it would make sense to see Punk and Rollins feud for the remainder of the year, setting up a match at the Royal Rumble or at the Elimination Chamber if WWE would rather have Punk appear in the aforementioned show's battle royal, giving Punk a title in his first few months in the promotion might not be the best idea, especially if Paul “Triple H” Levesque has something even bigger in mind for his newly signed Superstar, something like…
Randy Orton & Jey Uso casually having a wholesome interaction whilst Seth Rollins goes berserk ��������
— Wrestle Features (@WrestleFeatures) November 26, 2023
1. CM Punk takes Cody Rhodes' spot at WrestleMania 40.
Alright, so this is a bold prediction story, right? Why not get a little bold?
Now, when it comes to Cody Rhodes, it's felt like the “American Nightmare” has been building towards an Undisputed WWE Universal Championship rematch against the “Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns since he found himself on the wrong side of the 1-2-3 at WrestleMania 39. Sure, he's taken to wrestling a few side quests along the way, becoming an Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion with Jey Uso and winning a feud with Brock Lesnar 2-1, but when it comes to the “Grandson of a Plummer” winning the belt his father never could has always been the external motivation to finishing his story.
Would WWE change a year of build-up in order to book a massive match between Punk and Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 40, the first time ever the former has challenged the latter for the biggest prize in the promotion's history? Well, considering Punk was not anywhere near WWE the last time Reigns defended his title, it's safe to say at least some long-term plans have had to be changed already to accommodate the addition. Some may like it, some may hate it, but CM Punk winning the WWE Championship in 2024 and then feuding with Cody Rhodes in an extended, multi-month feud makes all of the sense in the world.
