CM Punk & Grudge Match Set For WWE Raw

Next week's WWE Raw looks to be an important show as we head towards the Royal Rumble on January 27. 

A CM Punk appearance has been officially advertised. F4WOnline have reported that Punk was backstage at last night's show, although he didn't make an onscreen appearance. He recently wrestled his first matches since shockingly returning to WWE at Survivor Series, beating Dominik Mysterio in a pair of live event singles bouts on December 26 and 30. 

WWE have also announced a big match for the upcoming Raw, with Cody Rhodes once again taking on Shinsuke Nakamura. Still in the midst of an intense feud, the pair clashed on the December 11 Raw in a bout that only ended via DQ, after Cody was misted in the face by Nakamura. 

The feud with Nakamura has been viewed by many fans online as something to keep Rhodes busy until closer to WrestleMania, where he was thought by some to be the favourite to take on Roman Reigns. The pair also clashed in the main event of last year's 'Mania where Reigns retained his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, a booking decision widely viewed as a shock. 

However, the chances of a potential WrestleMania 40 rematch could have taken a hit after last night's Raw, which saw The Rock surprisingly return to tease a bout with the Tribal Chief.