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With Drew McIntyre in his rearview, CM Punk can move on to new opponents when he returns from his hiatus.
After The Scottish Warrior injured him in this year's men's Royal Rumble match, the two produced one of the best feuds of 2024. Their encounter in Hell in a Cell silenced many of Punk's detractors and proved the divisive star still has plenty of gas left in the tank.
Still, WWE has milked this matchup for all its worth. It's time for him to face some new challenges and create fresh stories. After all, this premise initially made his shocking return to the company appealing to many fans.
On the latest episode of Raw, The Second City Saint revealed he plans to take some time off to recuperate following his venture into the demonic structure.
It was refreshing to see a wrestler sell the mental and physical toll the match put on them, but it's just as exciting to speculate on when and where they will show up again.
The 45-year-old will be in high demand on the flagship series with a clean bill of health and an empty dance card.
As we inch closer to WrestleMania season, let's consider how WWE could capitalize on Punk ahead of Survivor Series: WarGames.
A Return to the World Title Picture
It may not seem like it, but it's been almost a year since Punk shocked the world by returning to WWE at Survivor Series last November. It took him about the same amount of time elsewhere to climb the power ranking and become the AEW world champion.
Yes, his aforementioned tricep injury meant he couldn't compete in nearly as many matches as in his debut year with the competition.
Nevertheless, the Chicago native has his sights on championship gold and hopes to achieve his dream of headlining WrestleMania before he ends his illustrious career.
Punk took his first steps toward that goal following his win at Bash in Berlin. During the Sept. 2 episode of Raw, he officially called out Gunther before McIntyre attacked him again and reinitiated their bitter rivalry.
Their clash at Hell in a Cell was a satisfying end to this storyline. Now, he can refocus on The Ring General and his pursuit of the title he had a wealth of history with during his original stint with WWE.
Photo credit: WWE.com
Of course, the six-time world champion didn't hold the newest version of the title, but the mantle contested from 2002 to 2013 was integral to his early run on SmackDown. His time with the belt isn't as celebrated as his 434-day reign with the company's top prize, but it's an important part of his rise to prominence.
The two-time Money in the Bank winner used his contract to claim the "big gold belt" twice, and he famously feuded over it with Jeff Hardy and The Undertaker in 2009. So, winning a title that's an homage to the iconic title he once held would be apropos and another way to reignite his rivalry with the inaugural champion, Seth Rollins.
Even more, a win over Gunther would offer him the chance to compete in the main event of The Showcase of the Immortals next year.
High-Risk, High-Reward
On the surface, it may seem risky to pit Gunther against a bigger star following his upcoming match with Cody Rhodes at Crown Jewel. It may be even more questionable to drop the title to The Best in the World due to his track record with injuries.
However, The Ring General could benefit from consecutive high-profile matchups, and Punk is presented as one of the main characters on Raw. They would inevitably have to cross paths due to their characters' current motivations, and this could elevate the brand's main title.
Some fans have dismissed the World Heavyweight Championship as a consolation prize since its inception. A major star like Punk could help to change that perception. In fact, a meaningful WrestleMania storyline centered around the significance of the title with Rollins would shift the narrative around it.
Photo credit: WWE.com
Speaking of The Visionary, it hardly seems like a coincidence that WWE is building up more heels on Raw. During this week's episode, the 38-year-old showed hints that he could revert to his old self, and The Miz recently turned on R-Truth.
They both have a history with Punk and a new babyface champion would need compelling antagonists. Bron Breakker also confirmed he didn't turn over a new leaf yet when he attacked Jey Uso, and The Second City Saint teased a future match with him on the Sept. 17 episode of NXT.
John Cena will also return soon to start his retirement tour. Wouldn't it be fitting if one of his greatest rivals is standing in the way of his attempts to break Ric Flair's record when he does? That is a perfect way to set up a rematch with his old foe.
All these developments suggest Punk could realistically be in line for a run as the brand's flagbearer, and there would be many directions to go with him. But it's also clear there are more options available even if he loses Gunther.
Regardless, Punk is undoubtedly on a collision course with The Ring General at Survivor Series on Nov. 30, and we can't wait to see how it turns out.
