Backstage Update: WWE Changed CM Punk's Upcoming Schedule

More details have emerged behind WWE's decision to pull CM Punk from multiple events in the summer.

On Wednesday, several fans noticed that CM Punk had been removed from advertising for WWE's European Summer Tour. Last month, Punk was advertised for the tour along with other marquee stars like Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes and Liv Morgan.

In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Andrew Ravens of WrestlingNews.co), Dave Meltzer wrote that Punk was removed from upcoming dates because of a change in his schedule.

"CM Punk has been removed from the advertising from the European tour and several other Raw dates in June," Meltzer wrote. "We were told there is nothing more to this than a schedule change."

Punk lost his World Heavyweight Championship to Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 42. He appeared on the post-WrestleMania episode of Raw on Apr. 20, sharing a brief exchange with Cody Rhodes in the ring.

CM Punk hinted at challenging for Rhodes' Undisputed WWE Championship, which the latter claimed from Randy Orton at WrestleMania. At the end of their segment, Rhodes told Punk, "Just say when" in regards to a potential title match.

CM Punk Was the World Heavywreight Champion for 169 Days

The 47-year-old Punk defeated Jey Uso at Saturday Night's Main Event XLI on Nov. 1 to win the vacant World Heavyweight Championship. Punk would hold the title for 169 days before losing it to Reigns at WrestleMania.

This marks the third-longest reign with the World Heavyweight Championship, which was introduced in 2023. Only Seth Rollins (316 days) and Gunther (258 days) held it for longer.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 5:37 PM.