— Allstate Arena (@AllstateArena) June 17, 2024

As for the reason Punk gave for missing “Raw” tonight, that may also not be entirely accurate. Dave Melzer of the “Wrestling Observer Newsletter” reported Monday that Punk’s story of being medically evaluated tonight is just storyline, and that he was never scheduled to appear on tonight’s episode. This could lend credence to the idea some have that Punk is already cleared to return, and that WWE is waiting to make the announcement on “SmackDown” in Chicago.

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If that is the case, it would appear that the long awaited singles match between Punk and McIntyre may be on the verge of happening. The rivals have been on a collision course ever since Punk returned to WWE last November, with the hostilities turned up to 11 after McIntyre injured Punk during the Men’s Royal Rumble match in January, a fact that McIntyre has gleefully celebrated since then.