Backstage News On When CM Punk Is Expected Back On WWE TV

CM Punk hasn’t been seen on WWE TV since April following his World Heavyweight Championship loss to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42, which caused rumors to circulate online earlier this week that there was a rift between “The Best in the World” and WWE. From being unhappy with the creative direction for his wife AJ Lee, having a dispute over something he politicked for at WrestleMania, and asking for his release from WWE, Punk’s name has been involved in many backstage stories that indicate he’s unsatisfied with the promotion. However, on Wednesday, multiple sources reported that there was no merit to the ongoing rumors, and now there’s been an update regarding Punk’s return to TV. 

According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, Punk is expected to come back by July, with many WWE sources citing that he’s part of significant plans at August’s two-day SummerSlam. In addition, one source reportedly outlined Punk’s return for Monday, July 6 when “WWE Raw” comes to the 47-year-old’s hometown of Chicago at the Allstate Arena. Overall, it’s believed that Punk’s return to TV will transpire sooner rather than later.

WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select also shared an update about the rumored tension between Punk and TKO, explaining that none of the sources they spoke to noted any concerns between both sides. Additionally, the situation has reportedly not impacted the company’s locker room, and if there is any true animosity between Punk and WWE, it’s been kept extremely close to the vest.

Punk’s latest appearance was on the “Raw” after WrestleMania 42, where a future match was teased between himself and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes in an in-ring segment. However, Punk claimed during his conversation with Rhodes that he wasn’t going on vacation, which only added to the speculation about his potential conflict with WWE given the length of his absence.

Major Update Filed In Janel Grant Lawsuit Against Vince McMahon And WWE

Posted By: Ben Kerin on Jun 11, 2026 Major Update Filed In Janel Grant Lawsuit Against Vince McMahon And WWE

A significant development has surfaced in the ongoing lawsuit involving Janel Grant, Vince McMahon, and WWE.


If you reference any quotes from this piece, please attribute them to the original source, and kindly credit WrestlingNewsSource.com (h/t) for the transcription.
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Bret Hart To Receive Cauliflower Alley Club’s Highest Honor In Las Vegas

Bret Hart To Receive Cauliflower Alley Club’s Highest Honor In Las Vegas

Bret Hart is set to receive one of professional wrestling’s most prestigious honors later this summer.

The Cauliflower Alley Club has announced that Hart will be recognized with the 2026 Lou Thesz Award during the organization’s 60th annual reunion in Las Vegas. The award is considered the highest distinction presented by the CAC and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional technical ability, leadership, and lasting contributions to the wrestling industry.

The ceremony will take place during the reunion event at the Plaza Hotel & Casino from August 24 through August 26. Adding a personal touch to the occasion, Hart’s niece, Natalya, who received the Lou Thesz Award in 2025, will present the honor to the WWE Hall of Famer.

In announcing the news, the Cauliflower Alley Club praised Hart’s remarkable legacy:

“Few names in professional wrestling carry the respect, legacy, and excellence of Bret Hart. A world champion, a master of his craft, and one of the most influential performers of all time, Bret’s career represents everything the Lou Thesz Award stands for.”

The organization also highlighted the significance of Natalya presenting the award:

“Making this moment even more special, Natalya ‘Nattie’ Neidhart will present Bret Hart with this prestigious honor, bringing together two generations of the Hart family on the CAC stage.”

The Cauliflower Alley Club is dedicated to providing financial assistance and support to members of the wrestling community who may be facing hardship.

Several other notable names will also be honored during the 2026 reunion. Dan Spivey will receive the International Wrestling Award, The Glamour Girls will be recognized with the Tag Team Award, Jimmy Korderas will receive the Referee Award, Psicosis will earn the Lucha Libre Award, Gary Michael Cappetta will be presented with the Announcer Award, and wrestling writer Dan Murphy will receive the Historian Award.

CM Punk Reportedly Closing In On WWE Return

Posted By: Ben Kerin on Jun 11, 2026 CM Punk Reportedly Closing In On WWE Return

CM Punk could be heading back to WWE television sooner rather than later, according to a new report.


If you reference any quotes from this piece, please attribute them to the original source, and kindly credit WrestlingNewsSource.com (h/t) for the transcription.

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John Cena Says WWE Return Would Be ‘Financial Suicide’

John Cena has once again addressed the possibility of stepping back into the ring, making it clear that fans should not expect another match following his retirement from WWE competition.

The 17-time world champion officially brought his in-ring career to a close after falling to Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December 2025. Despite continued chants from fans hoping for one final appearance, Cena stressed during an interview with US Weekly that a comeback is highly unlikely.

“I hate speaking in absolutes … ‘Never’ is a strong word. It would be financial suicide for someone to court me in a position where I would have another match, and I truly mean that. So if you’re in the business of torching currency, that’s the only way to get me back in the ring,” John Cena said.

Rather than focusing on a return bout, Cena is putting his energy into the upcoming John Cena Classic. The WWE icon explained that the project will allow him to remain involved with fans and the wrestling business while taking on a different role outside of active competition.

According to Cena, hearing supporters call for “one more match” is flattering, but it also reinforces the excitement he has for creating an event where he can interact with fans and help spotlight the next generation of performers.

“Aside from that, the reason ‘one more match’ resonated so well for me, first of all, I got to express to the fans of how fulfilled I felt when I retired. Second of all, the interest of an audience being like, ‘We want to see you again!’ gets me excited for the new idea of the John Cena Classic. We can do this again. I’ll be there. It’ll be fan-forward and fan-first.

“I won’t be so focused on, ‘Man, this match means everything to me. I’ve got to make sure I give all I have when the music plays and I’m under the lights.’ I get to watch other performers, so I can kind of be the ambassador for the event, and I can get out there and meet with people that matter most in my life, the fans.

“I really can’t wait for this thing to find its legs, for us to get a city and a date and move forward. And I can’t wait for it to happen. So when I hear ‘one more match,’ I hear [that] there’s still interest, the heart still beats. I’m trying to think in my head, ‘How can we gear this to where I can be there, be active and be included but allow others to do the thing I can no longer do.’ I hope we have it with the John Cena Classic,” he said.

While the door may not be completely closed, Cena’s comments suggest that his future in WWE will be centered around mentoring, celebrating talent, and engaging with fans rather than competing inside the squared circle.