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CM Punk’s dream to headline a WrestleMania will almost certainly have to wait another year. After making a shock return to WWE at November’s Survivor Series event, Punk wrestled his first televised or streamed match since his return when he participated in Saturday’s Royal Rumble. Punk made it to the final two in the match, being eliminated by Cody Rhodes, but suffered a torn triceps during the match, as first reported by Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer and later confirmed by multiple outlets, including ESPN.
Punk made his return to WWE after a contentious split with AEW, in which he was part of multiple backstage altercations that turned physical. He was terminated from his AEW contract on Sept. 2, 2023.
Punk’s return at Survivor Series was his first appearance for the company since 2014. At that time, he left after mounting frustrations with the promotion, as well as mounting injuries that had caused additional strain for the Chicago native.
Immediately upon his return, it became clear WWE was positioning Punk as one of the potential challengers for Seth Rollins’ world heavyweight championship. Rollins also suffered a recent injury, tearing his MCL and meniscus, though he intends to work WrestleMania, where he is expected to drop his championship.