What To Know About CM Punk And His WWE Status Amid Absence

BusinessSportsMoneyWhat To Know About CM Punk And His WWE Status Amid AbsenceByBlake Oestriecher,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Blake Oestriecher is a columnist covering WWE, AEW and pro wrestling.Follow AuthorJun 10, 2026, 04:22pm EDTCM Punk lost the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 42. (Credit: Andrew Timms/WWE via Getty Images)WWE via Getty ImagesThe WWE rumor mill is churning with rampant speculation about CM Punk and his status with the company.Earlier this week, an unverified X user ignited rumors that Punk was potentially on the outs with WWE after disappearing from Raw and SmackDown following WrestleMania 42 in April. As they tend to do in pro wrestling circles, those rumors quicky took on a life of their own and spread like wildfire.The conjecture among fans seemed to focus on TKO’s potential desire to renegotiate Punk’s contract, Punk’s unhappiness with WWE and even possible issues between Punk’s wife AJ Lee and WWE. But multiple major pro wrestling news sites are debunking much of what is being said about Punk, Lee and WWE.ForbesHow WWE’s Booking Issues Are Hurting These StarsBy Blake OestriecherWWE Reportedly Preparing New Storyline And Merchandise For CM PunkWWE is already taking steps in planning for the TV return of Punk.According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, “There have been lots of unverified claims on social media of CM Punk stories that all point to alleged issues between he and WWE and/or Punk asking for a WWE release.” Johnson added, “There is new merchandise being put together and Punk appearances are set for this summer…So, this is, as they would say, much ado about nothing.”MORE FOR YOUFightful Select (h/t Wrestling Inc) took that a step further. In addition to new merchandise, WWE reportedly has creative plans penciled in for the former World Heavyweight Champion: “ It was also confirmed that plans did call for Punk to return to television, and that merchandise, dates, and a s...