Photo: CM Punk spotted backstage at SmackDown with current WWE champion
CM Punk has not had the best luck recently, with an injury ruining his dream of main-eventing WrestleMania 40. Despite that, The Straight Edge Superstar was present backstage for the latest episode of SmackDown.
Two nights after his televised WWE in-ring return at the 2024 Royal Rumble, Punk announced that he had torn his triceps and would miss The Show of Shows this year. He underwent surgery to repair it, likely at the Stamford-based company's medical facility in Birmingham, Alabama. That is where the latest edition of SmackDown emanated from.
WWE Superstar Kairi Sane indirectly confirmed reports of CM Punk being backstage. The WWE Women's Tag Team Champion posted a picture with the Second City Saint on X/Twitter, with the caption indicating it was from SmackDown last night.
Check out Kairi Sane's tweet below:
Sane was part of one of the biggest moments of SmackDown, as she and Asuka attacked Bayley. The Role Model fought back and confirmed that she will challenge IYO SKY for the WWE Women's Championship at WrestleMania 40.
CM Punk's injury forced WWE to change plans for WrestleMania 40
The reported plan for WrestleMania 40 was for Cody Rhodes to challenge Roman Reigns, while CM Punk would face Seth Rollins. However, following the Second City Saint's injury, it looks like The American Nightmare will go after the World Heavyweight Championship.
Rhodes teased picking Reigns as his WrestleMania 40 opponent before bringing out The Rock on the latest edition of SmackDown. So, Punk's injury essentially caused the Hollywood megastar to take Cody's spot against The Tribal Chief at The Show of Shows this year. It is an unfortunate situation that has not gone down well with the fans at all.
It remains to be seen if this is the direction WWE will go in or if Triple H has more twists and turns planned for the Road to WrestleMania 40. However, one cannot help but wonder how much simpler things would have been had CM Punk not torn his triceps.
Who should challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40 - Cody Rhodes or The Rock? Sound off in the comments section below!