We haven’t seen CM Punk on WWE television for two months now, as he teased a program with WWE Champion Cody Rhodes before taking off for a much deserved vacation following the loss of his world heavyweight championship at WrestleMania 42. We aren’t sure if that’s exactly what I should call it, of course, as there have been conflicting reports regarding his status. Is he getting time off to rest and recharge or is WWE simply creatively bankrupt when it comes to ideas for him at the moment?
It depends
on who you ask, it seems. Either way, he hasn’t been around. His return is expected relatively soon, and he may be showing up on Friday Night SmackDown, if rumors prove true. One of the only things we know for certain is the fact that he will make a return on June 26, it just won’t be in pro wrestling.
Indeed, Cage Fury Fighting Championships has announced that Punk will make his return to MMA commentary at their upcoming CFFC 156 event alongside John Morgan:
“For the first time in 2026, the legendary CM Punk will return to the Cage Fury Fighting Championships broadcast team.
The seven-time WWE world champion and two-time UFC veteran will make his long-awaited homecoming to the booth for “CFFC 156: Stanford Lewis” on Friday, June 26 from Illinois’ Hard Rock Casino Rockford, just outside of Punk’s hometown of Chicago.
Punk has served as color commentator for CFFC since 2018, a run that included a brief retirement from professional wrestling, as well as a stint with All Elite Wrestling, where he also claimed a world championship. His CFFC appearances have been more sparing since a 2023 return to WWE, though the promotion’s debut in his home state proved impossible to pass up.
Punk will once again work alongside CFFC General Manager and longtime MMA journalist John Morgan on the broadcast.”
We’ll see if Punk makes any mention of his status with WWE next week. For now, this will have to do.
