CM Punk takes time off to mourn before returning to WWE

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 20: CM Punk enters the ring during Monday Night RAW at T-Mobile Arena on April 20, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Melina Pizano/WWE Via Getty Images) | WWE via Getty Images After CM Punk lost the world heavyweight championship to Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 42 earlier this year, he took some time off. During that time, rumors popped up that there could be issues with WWE. That was, apparently, never actually the case. Now, the man himself is revealing the reason he took time off — to mourn. From his interview with ESPN New York: “You know, I had a… I’m not going to say a rough year, because suffering is relative. I was heavyweight champion over on Raw for quite some time, and during that entire time I was champion, I had at least three or four people who were very close to me pass away. And each time, I was at work the next day. I didn’t talk about it publicly. I showed up partially because it helped me. Being here amongst my road family and being able to connect with the fans on that level helped me get through it, but there was still some stuff I needed to process. So, my time away was just to kinda reset. One day away from my wife is one day too many, you know? I’ve been with her like every single day, and now that I’m back, I’m champ, I’m on the road, and I’m as full-time as full-time gets. If you’re upset that I was mourning some dead friends… We should celebrate people taking some time for themselves.” Like he said, he’s back now, he’s the WWE champion, and he’s a full time wrestler. That includes working Saturday Night’s Main Event later this evening at Madison Square Garden in yet another marquee match before he does the same in a couple weeks at SummerSlam.