Report: WWE to Shift Top Star to SmackDown in New Branding Move

According to a report by Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer, WWE intends to move CM Punk to SmackDown upon his return, positioning him in a storyline with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.

“There was a lot of talk about Punk rumors this past week. The Punk departure the week after he had said that he’s a guy who is there every week was strange, but we were told he was being taken off because they had no creative for him and would be back when his angle was to start. The plan right now is for him to return on Smackdown, which is basically a balancing act. The belief is with Raw having Reigns, Rollins, The Usos, Fatu, Femi, Logan Paul and Breakker that Punk made more sense on Smackdown with a top tier of Rhodes, Gunther, Ripley and soon to be Punk, Orton and McIntyre. Plus Rhodes vs. Punk has been a direction. The return date of 7/6 Raw in Chicago makes sense, although that is a Raw date, not Smackdown, but that’s really not material in the sense Chicago does make sense for him to appear”, .

WWE hinted at a potential feud between Rhodes and Punk on Raw after WrestleMania 42, which was Punk’s last appearance on WWE programming before his hiatus. Rhodes is scheduled to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Gunther on the June 19 SmackDown broadcast at the T‑Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Punk has recently been the focus of extensive speculation concerning his status with WWE. Reports indicate he has had a falling out with WWE/TKO and has requested his release, while WWE currently has no creative plans for him.

A recent Fightful Select report notes that Punk has been granted needed time off and is expected to return on the July 6 Raw episode, taking place at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, just outside his hometown of Chicago.

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