Top WWE star CM Punk made a blockbuster return to WWE programming in front of his hometown fans in Chicago, Illinois, this past Monday night on RAW. Punk was revealed as Sami Zayn’s opponent for the Undisputed WWE Title match in the main spectacular after “The American Nightmare,” Cody Rhodes — was taken out by “The Ring General,” GUNTHER, earlier in the broadcast and was corroborated as not being medically cleared to compete.
Punk, who had been absent from WWE programming since the RAW following The showcase of the immortals 42, returned to a massive pop from the live crowd. Ultimately defeated Zayn to capture the Undisputed WWE Championship for the third time in his illustrious career. Punk’s victory meant that Zayn’s first reign as Undisputed WWE Title holder came to a close after just nine days.
As per Fightful Select (per Cultaholic) — this plan had been in place all along, as WWE intended for Zayn to drop the crown to Punk. The company had known for some time that “The Best in the World” was going to arrival back.
False Finish then noted on their official Twitter (X) account that the gold change had been planned for well over a month. The report further noted that Punk was initially set to challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Title at WrestleMania 43. However, the company decided to pivot, aiming to present SummerSlam 2026 as a better episode than WrestleMania 42.