CM Punk’s WWE return remains uncertain heading into this week’s episode of RAW, despite growing speculation that “The Best in the World” could make his comeback in his hometown of Chicago.
Punk has been absent from WWE television since the RAW following WrestleMania 42, taking an extended break amid rumors of backstage issues within the company. He later brushed off the speculation in his trademark fashion, joking that his absence was because his “horse was sick,” a nod to the late Terry Funk’s famous excuse for leaving WWE on multiple occasions.
With Cody Rhodes scheduled to challenge Sami Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Championship on RAW, many fans believe Chicago would be the perfect setting for Punk’s return, fueling widespread anticipation ahead of the show.
According to a report from Dave Meltzer, Punk is not currently being advertised for the event. There has been internal speculation that Punk could make his return soon, although Punk is expected to be mainly featured on the WWE SmackDown brand.
Big E. has opened up about one of the most challenging periods of his WWE career, revealing that fellow WWE star Kaitlyn played a major role in helping him through it.
Speaking on a recent edition of the “Notsam Wrestling” podcast, the former WWE Champion reflected on his early years with the company, when he found himself portraying two completely different characters at the same time. While appearing on the main roster as the serious, stoic bodyguard aligned with AJ Lee and Dolph Ziggler, Big E was simultaneously the reigning NXT Champion and performing as an upbeat babyface.
The contrasting roles created a difficult balancing act, leaving him struggling to connect the two versions of his on-screen persona.
Looking back, Big E. described that period as a tough experience but credited Kaitlyn for providing much-needed support as he adjusted to life in WWE. Her friendship and encouragement helped him navigate the uncertainty and pressure that came with trying to establish himself while juggling conflicting creative directions.
Although it was a challenging chapter in his career, Big E. said those experiences ultimately helped shape him into the performer fans would later embrace as a member of The New Day and, eventually, WWE Champion.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On having a hard time early in WWE: “My first year or so on the road wasn’t always easy. Especially — the stuff with like Dolph and AJ were great. I loved being able to be teamed with them. So that was great for me. But then when I was done with Dolph, I went with AJ. And I still had something and I was still featured. But after that, it was it was a tough time.
“And you know, you’re getting a lot of different feedback… so also my initial main roster one run is a little odd. Because at the same time, I’m this silent [character]. Paul Heyman pulled me aside, and the idea was for me to be stoic, not to really show emotion. So I do that. I’m this silent emotionless heater or bodyguard on the main roster as a heel. Then I’m going directly back down to NXT, where I’m the NXT champion. And I’m like, ‘Are we are we putting the title on the main roster? Are we using that at all?’ And like, no mention of it, pretend like it’s in another universe. So I’m going back down to NXT where I’m this babyface who was doing the five count.”
On the disconnect between the two characters: “But that was the direction. And so I just — you know, at the time like I don’t have any poll. I’m 26 and it’s just like, ‘This is what the boss wants, this is what we’re doing.’
On getting helped by Kaitlyn: “And there were definitely some ups and downs. I credit Celeste Bonin, aka Kaitlyn, who helped me out. We were just like such good, good friends and still are to this day. Obviously, it’s hard when you don’t see each other as much, so we don’t talk as much as we used to, but the love is still there.
“But she helped me through a lot of that, and I think we both kind of needed each other at the time where we’re both kind of floundering at times in our career. But more than anything man, I credit — you know, once Kofi, Woods and I, we all got together. Those guys like, man, we had such a tight bond.”
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