CM Punk's absence continues as WWE plans no Reigns vs. Rhodes match

What does WWE have in store for the biggest party of the summer? Let’s find out in today’s rumors! Top rumor of the day: WWE plans for SummerSlam 2026 SummerSlam is coming up in less than two months in Minnesota, and WWE needs plenty of big stars and compelling matches to pack U.S. Bank Stadium with fans on two consecutive nights in early August. With that in mind, WrestleVotes Radio heard that a first-time singles match of Charlotte Flair vs. Jade Cargill has been internally pitched for the event, and was “penciled in” for the show at one point. This makes a lot of sense, seeing how often they have crossed paths on WWE programming since WrestleMania 42, including tonight’s 4-way match in the Queen of the Ring tournament on SmackDown. Votes also claims there was recently an internal document circulating in WWE that indicates Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre will both return in time for SummerSlam. And CM Punk is expected to have a significant role at the event too, despite some of the wild rumors floating out there about his current relationship with WWE. The rest of the rumors! Fightful Select says there are people in AEW who believe the bridge with CM Punk is not burned, and that his relationship with key people there could potentially be repaired. “Never say never.” According to WrestleVotes, Diamond Dallas Page has been “internally discussed” for an appearance on WWE programming. A source mentioned that DDP’s name has been brought up during creative meetings, but it’s expected to be a one-off appearance rather than a recurring role on air for the WWE Hall of Famer. Regarding Isiah Kassidy’s current absence from AEW programming, PW Insider heard that he is “banged up and hurt.” Weekly Gendai claims that Bushiroad started to consider selling New Japan Pro Wrestling last year when they “felt they had reached the limits of how much profit they could make.” They approached TV Asahi about a potential deal in February of this year, before an announcement was made in late May. For whatever it’s worth, Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer said he did not get an answer when he asked people in WWE if El Grande Americano aka Ludwig Kaiser was injured in the Mask vs. Mask match against Chad Gable at AAA Noche de Los Grandes. Discuss these rumors and others in the comments below, and float a take to your fellow wrestling fans on any topic in The Feed!

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 30: CM Punk makes his entrance during Monday Night RAW at Madison Square Garden on March 30, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images) | WWE via Getty Images After much hullabaloo about CM Punk’s post-Raw After WrestleMania 42 absence from WWE over the past couple weeks, it seems we’re pretty much back where we were before we debated the Straight-Edge Superstar’s possible use of performance enhancing drugs and sifted through rumors about pay cuts and politicking and heat and release requests. Back before WWE headed to Europe in late May, multiple outlets reported that Punk was simply “awaiting creative”. Per those reports, Punk’s lengthy hiatus was a domino that fell after the post-‘Mania decision to have Jacob Fatu work with Roman Reigns on Raw while Gunther went to SmackDown and a feud with Cody Rhodes. When they had the right story for the Best in the World he’d be back, we were told. Now, creative must be ready. Or WWE brass decided Phil Brooks has had enough time off. Because on WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select today (June 11), they said “signs point” to Punk being back on the July 6 Raw at Allstate Arena in his beloved Chicagoland (Rosemont, Illinois, to be precise). That’s not 100% confirmed, and it was said Punk could also be back before that July date. But Votes has heard Punk will play a significant role at SummerSlam. Ready for Punk’s summer return?

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 20: CM Punk enters the arena during Monday Night RAW at T-Mobile Arena on April 20, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Rich Wade/WWE Via Getty Images) | WWE via Getty Images The rumor mill got to churning over the past couple of days, and CM Punk was at the center of it. Depending on who or what you’re willing to believe, one of the biggest stars in the industry may have been politicking, disgruntled, asked to take a pay cut, and even demanded his release from the company. None of it is true, according to PW Insider. The report notes that a “trusted source” within the company told them as much and beyond that “there is new merchandise being put together and Punk appearances are set for this summer.“ It is not specified when this summer he will be returning, or what kind of appearances those will be. Punk was running hard over the past year, being asked to do quite a bit as world heavyweight champion en route to the main event of WrestleMania 42 and a title match with Roman Reigns. He was the best thing on that show, on both nights, and after making another appearance on the April 20 episode of Monday Night Raw, he took some time off. He’s since gotten absolutely jacked, and is obviously using his time off wisely. Thankfully, there’s nothing to the talk of his demise and the relationship with WWE is alive and well.

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 Your hump day rumors are here. Top Rumor: What’s going on with CM Punk? We haven’t seen CM Punk on WWE television dating back to just after WrestleMania 42, and it hasn’t been exactly clear what has led to his absence. Initially, there was talk he was waiting on creative before it was said his schedule simply changed. Now, WrestleVotes has chimed in to say he’s just getting a little bit of time off and it is not true that WWE has no plans for him. What makes this interesting is there are a ton of unsubstantiated rumors floating around about Punk, with plenty unwilling to even speak on as much. Thankfully, this here post is a space to talk about all that anyway! An account on X claiming to have the scoops is saying Punk may have been politicking about the WrestleMania main event and didn’t get his way and is now upset about as much, which has led to some heat backstage. However, he may have also been asked to take a pay cut by TKO and is pissed enough about it to threaten legal action while maybe also asking for his release. The account did say that there has been some cold water thrown on some of this talk, namely the part where he allegedly asked for his release. We can’t really know what the hell is actually going on but that’s the talk right now. Stay tuned. Other rumors floating around Per WrestleVotes, WWE is not planning to run a Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes match anytime soon, despite some teases for as much. They also say there are no plans for Liv Morgan to defend her title anytime soon, and it may not happen until SummerSlam. During a recent conversation with WittyWhittier, R-Truth said he’s not medically cleared right now. Vince Russo said on The Coach & Bro Show that Konnan had to have his other leg amputated and WWE has covered all of his medical bills. Get in on this, y’all.