CM Punk Pushing Hard for Raw Return Despite SmackDown Move Speculation

CM Punk apparently has strong feelings about where he lands when he returns to WWE television — and it sounds like he wants to stay on Monday nights.

Punk is said to be pushing hard internally for a return to Raw, even as there has been discussion within WWE about moving him to SmackDown. The push comes amid a post-WrestleMania 42 hiatus, with the former WWE Champion currently on the sidelines as the company maps out his next program.

Prior to the reports of Punk lobbying for Raw, the expectation had been that he would be shifting to the blue brand upon his return. Tied to that expected brand switch was talk of a potential feud with Cody Rhodes, which would on paper be one of the bigger programs WWE could put together on either show. Rhodes, of course, has been one of the company’s top stars, and a collision with Punk carries obvious marquee appeal.

Whether Punk ultimately gets his wish and stays on Raw, or ends up on SmackDown as previously anticipated, remains to be seen. The situation is fluid, and with WrestleMania 42 in the rearview mirror, WWE will be reshaping its rosters and rivalries heading into the summer months.

Punk’s return, whenever it comes, figures to be a significant moment for whichever brand he lands on. The question of which show that turns out to be is apparently still very much an open conversation.