CM Punk returns to Chicago on WWE SmackDown.
CM Punk opened the June 21st episode of WWE SmackDown in Chicago, and he was greeted by his old friend and manager Paul Heyman. Heyman managed Punk in 2012-13 during Punk's WWE Title reign.
Heyman warned Punk that Solo Sikoa and the Bloodline were targetting him because Chicago is his town, and Solo wants every town to be his town.
The Bloodline (Solo, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa) came out and warned Punk. Heyman asked Punk, should he do him the favor of leaving, to "take me with you."
"If you don't get out of here right now, they're coming for you."
— WWE (@WWE) June 22, 2024
@HeymanHustle is begging @CMPunk to leave! --#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/cA2Fj2L7L1
Heyman wants out of The Bloodline?!@CMPunk @HeymanHustle #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/5j74swgcRN
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) June 22, 2024
Punk did not acknowledge Solo or leave, instead choosing to stand his ground. The Bloodline entered the ring, but backed down when Cody Rhodes, carrying two baseball bats, sided with Punk.
CODY HERE WITH BASEBALL BATS!!#SmackDown Live on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/rqbCmjop13
— WWE on TNT Sports (@wweontnt) June 22, 2024
Punk opened his promo by discussing "pressure" and how he's felt the pressure throughout his career, but he didn't let Chicago down at Money in the Bank 2011 like Drew McIntyre let down Scotland at WWE Clash at the Castle. During his promo, Punk said he set out to bury McIntyre's career, and he did just that because McIntyre "quit" on WWE Raw and took his ball and went home.
Punk was then interrupted by Paul Heyman.
"Did I embarrass Chicago?"
— WWE (@WWE) June 22, 2024
We definitely see where you're going with this, @CMPunk... --#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/e6mY21YScJ
CM Punk has been sidelined since Royal Rumble when he suffered a triceps injury after taking a Future Shock DDT from Drew McIntyre. Punk has continued to appear on WWE television, including acting as a referee at WWE Clash at the Castle and costing McIntyre the WWE World Heavyweight Title.
Punk previously said he would be at WWE SmackDown to hopefully deliver the news that he was cleared. He never said in the promo that he was cleared and he did not get physical during the segment.
Fans can find Fightful's coverage of WWE SmackDown by clicking here. Check out the post-show podcast for a full review of the episode by clicking here.
