Update On Plans For CM Punk's Undisputed WWE Title Reign

CM Punk became WWE Champion for the third time in his career earlier this week as he defeated Sami Zayn - ending Zayn's own reign after just nine days - on the July 6 episode of Monday Night Raw in what was Punk's return to TV after being absent since the Raw after WrestleMania 42.

The title win will see CM Punk move to Friday Night SmackDown, joining the brand for the first time since he returned to WWE at Survivor Series 2023. WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select has reported that USA Network have been pushing for CM Punk to be featured more on SmackDown for well over a year due to his position as one of WWE's top stars.

The feeling is that Punk being on SmackDown could help the Friday night show gather momentum, with the series once again struggling in its three-hour format, although that came to an end in early July and SmackDown will remain two hours through to the end of 2026.

For CM Punk's title reign, a source within WWE creative believes "there are no indications that Punk's title reign will be short-term." The exact plans for how long Punk's title reign will be are unknown, but this could suggest that Punk will remain Undisputed WWE Champion beyond SummerSlam, where he is reportedly scheduled to defend the title against Cody Rhodes.

Upon Punk's move to SmackDown, it will make him an official part of the roster for the first time since his multi-year stint on the brand between 2009 and 2011. Punk hasn't wrestled on SmackDown since January 2014 when he teamed with the New Age Outlaws against The Shield, with Punk walking out of WWE following 2014's Royal Rumble. He would later be fired by the company on his wedding day in June of that year.