Raw Preview: CM Punk Returns to RAW on July 22, 2024

The wrestling world is abuzz with the very long-awaited return of possibly the most controversial yet influential figure in professional wrestling: CM Punk. With his heroic return to WWE after almost a decade away from the scene, this is something that is surely bound to change WWE’s landscape and create memories for fans forever. This is an article previewing what fans can expect from this monumental RAW episode and how the return of CM Punk might affect the WWE Universe.

Background: CM Punk

The WWE Experience

CM Punk, born Phillip Jack Brooks, made his WWE debut in 2006. With his simple charisma, fantastic technical skills, and his straight-edge character, he got to rise up really quickly. Full success came to Punk as a multi-time WWE and World Heavyweight Champion. He also notably cut his “pipe bomb” promo in 2011 working for the company, where he verbally buried the company and blurred that fine line between reality and storyline.

Punk’s exit from WWE in 2014 was full of controversy, in that he had left the company due to creative differences and his health issues. Fans demanded his return to the company in his absence for many years. He has since moved onto a number of different business ventures, including a very successful stint in MMA and a return to professional wrestling with AEW. This will certainly bring the sensation back amongst his hardcores in the wrestling business worldwide.

What to Expect on RAW

CM Punk’s return to RAW in a historic moment is sure to captivate the whole of the WWE Universe. So without wasting any time, let’s roll down to the following key elements to watch on this very highly anticipated episode.

1. Turn Over Promo

Every wrestling fan is going to be awaiting the promo segment from Punk’s return. With his highly reputed microphone skills and the bridging he does with the audience, Punk’s words are going to carry weight and are meant to be remembered. Fans can expect Punk to comment regarding his laying low, why he came back, and what he has laid out for himself in WWE in the future.
Furthermore, this promo could be used to set the tone for his new chapter in WWE and give clues about his motivations.

2. Conflicts and Challenges

The return of CM Punk would attract the biggest names in WWE, both from columns ago, friend or foe. Confrontations, dream matches, as well as rematches, would easily take place. Today it would possibly be a confrontation with top champions and contenders: Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Cody Rhodes, and many more. This would result in an epic showdown in the coming months.
That could be squaring off with Roman Reigns, the current Universal Champion and guide of the amazing unit of some wrestlers and their supporters recognized as the Bloodline. The rivalry that would brew would overshadow any big marquee feud, helping fuel nonstop events and getting the WWE Universe back on their feet.

3. Impact of the WWE Universe
   Primarily to the episode, an important part of it will be how the WWE Universe perceives the return of one of their favorites, CM Punk. He has always enjoyed a different kind of affinity with the audience, and their reaction towards him is something that would define his storyline in the coming days. Their involvement and hearty approval can thrust Punk right into the thick of important storylines and chasing for titles while their reactions will also give paramount feedback to the creative team in WWE.
4. Potential Friends and Competitors

Punk’s return throws up innumerable possibilities for new alliances and rivalries. His history with such great superstars like Seth Rollins, Daniel Bryan, and more could be brought to attention, which will create compelling storylines just blending the past and present. What is more appealing, Punk’s interactions with new stars and WWE Hall of Fame can turn into fresh, highly interesting contests that fans will never want to miss out on.

Maybe an alliance with or rivalry against Cody Rhodes—a WWE megastar since he came back into the fold— but either way, if done correctly, that could see the both of them embroiled firmly in this sort of rivalry that would take both to another level, giving fans instant classics in the process.

Introduce realism:

After the kind of career and championship CM Punk held, less than main event gold is beneath his gaze. Be it the WWE Championship, be it the UniveCharampionship, or possibly other equally prestigious accolades yet to come, gold is what is all about in Punk’s return to WWE. He will draw a target on championships, entertaining fans with high-stakes matches and dramatic storylines that let them not take rest in their seats.
Punk’s resurgence into the title scene would be via challenging drubbing champions, wrestling in high-profile tournaments, and even multi-men to try and chase his shot. His championship dream will only lead to more thrill and a buildup of much-needed suspense throughout his storyline.

6. RAW’s Ratings and Viewership LC To be reviewed The IOC
   CM Punk’s return to RAW would be massive concerning the ratings ad viewership after the buzz created by the show’s intense anticipation. Interest levels have flown over the roof on social media and wrestling forums regarding the return of CM Punk. This is bound to make this episode of RAW one of the most-watched recent memories because people’s mind up about his return have already gone through the roof.
7. The Strategy Perspective

While the immediate bump that will be realized in this edition of RAW with the return of Punk is important, his characters and long-term relationships with upcoming storylines is equally important. The WWE creative team will need to be sharp and be able to plot and push through storylines if they are to keep the intrigue—and hopefully retribution—of the audience. And thinking him out in the scene, definitely in the main event for sure, the need arises to allow space for other talents in the roster to get a reprise and meanwhile weave compelling stories around them.

Maybe it was a long-term vision with the continuity of necessary follow-through in the storyline accompanying it, something that builds to a big payoff much like WrestleMania or SummerSlam. The key will be the journey, the evolution of Punk’s character, if sustained, throughout his return.

Fan Reactions and Speculation
With the advent of CM Punk’s recent signing with RAW, a lot of fan speculation as to how the storylines and matches can or will turn out will abound. Already, social media are jumping for their joy on their feet, with fans sharing their dream scenarios on the return of Punk.
For a good number of fans, the only desire is that Punk gets back to igniting the hot rivalries of yesteryears by facing old foes, while others are hoping for a completely new series of battles. All of these expectations and feelings have worked to create one of the most spoken-of events in recent wrestling history for CM Punk’s return.

The Significance of the Return of Punk
The reasons why CM Punk returning to WWE is breaking huge: one of wrestling’s most polarizing and influential figures is back, his departure leaving a glaring mark on the sport. The return means the closure that fans who want to see him back on the WWE stage are final.
Punk’s return epitomizes more of WWE’s bringing back the good ones, more relevant storylines, more dynamism in displays for greater entertainment, and more memorable in setting memories for the WWE Universe.

Lastly, Punk’s return shows the power of the wrestling community and how strong the bond between wrestlers and the wrestling audience is. With such a response and passion toward Punk’s return, it shows how much wrestling fans give and how strongly involved they are, making them big factors that influence a moment like this one.

Where could CM Punk’s Storyline Go from Here?

A fall of CM Punk, as following this frame several storylines, with regard to his return to the WWE ring, would be possible. The result potential plots storyline includes:
Back in the Fray:

This might also envisage the return in a sense of the revival of some of the most lauded rivalries of Punk. A match in his return with rival John Cena, Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar—all these would be hotly awaited by the universe and all others. These feuds have a history and will feel a bit nostalgic but very evidently be high-stakes dramas at the same time.

The Battle with Authority:

With Punk’s past acrimony with WWE leaders emerging during his departure, this most certainly should be a restart to his war with management. A program between Punk and current WWE brass— either Triple H or Stephanie McMahon—would be a program worth watching. His nature to make a monolithic evil out of characters scratches the surface he—who had all of the political assets against him—was almost bound to get caught up with some health issue in some form or another.

Punk vs. Roman Reigns :

The other more notable feud he could be in now would be with Universal Champion Roman Reigns, who also doubles as the top leader of The Bloodline. A Punk challenge against Reigns for the title would have been a very high-profile feud that could garnish pay-per-view shows. There lay the possibilities to take the angle and shape it down an extremely dynamic, interesting storyline with Punk’s straight-edge persona clashing against Reigns’ “Tribal Chief” character.

Human Relations

Punk’s return would also mean coming back to the squared circle to play a mentorship role toward newer talents in the ever-evolving sport of pro wrestling. Forming alliances with newer stars, such as Damian Priest and Riddle, or even NXT competitors, would create a breeding ground for fresh and unique stories as Punk holds a résumé in making stars a mile long.

CM Punk’s Pursuit to WWE Championship
While the ultimate main mission for Punk would still be to regain WWE’s Championship, his quest for the championship would establish a pattern of purpose to drive his storylines. In such an instance, the way his trip amounted to the title—through taking on many men at one time, tournaments, high-stakes showdowns, et cetera—came off in terms of precision.

What this Means for the WWE Locker Room
The return of CM Punk isn’t only huge for fans, though—that’s big for the WWE locker room. With him back, the roster adds tons of experience and a flair that can’t be replaced for almost a decade. His return can galvanize and motivate current wounds of talent to up their performances and make the most out of the occasion to share the ring with one of the all-time greats. Punk’s return provides up-and-coming wrestlers with a real chance to learn from one of the best there was. His mind for the business, ring psychology, and the ability to draw are all tools that are forming a future blueprint for WWE. Adding him back to the roster will open gates for new possibilities for each storyline. His return will also mean new matches, which should throw the product full force into vivid and edgy unpredictability.

A Pathway to WrestleMania
A story with his involvement—a boilerplate high-context one before WrestleMania, his involvement will base the storylines happening in the run-up to WrestleMania 40. The potential matches for Punk at WrestleMania could be either a championship bout or a grudge match against the top hated— or conversely, most wanted—heel in the company, or maybe even a dream match against a returning legend. As Gehrt travels down the road to WrestleMania, Punk must negotiate the turns of circumstantial escalation inside the WWE landscape to build the hype toward his big moment.

Conclusion
The July 22, 2024 WWE RAW show will make history as CM Punk returns into a world wind storm for the ages of the entire WWE Universe. Now, with the Second City Savior return, this alone raises the feelings of both excitement and suspense. And now from any point of view from a storyline, rivalry, or dream match up, anything goes here on what could be the most anticipated episode of Monday Night Raw in the last decade. As Punk steps into a WWE ring one more time, he will make an impact on the company, the roster, and onlookers alike that can never be measured. His return will signify another phase in the beloved flag-bearer’s storied career and transition into another chapter of WWE. Unforgettable moments, high-stakes drama, and undeniable charisma—the elements are limitless in this imminent excursion. The WWE Universe is waiting for his return and preparing for yet another chapter in the legacy of the “Best in the World.” As the clock tick closer in the countdown to his return, anticipation only continues to bulge, ensuring July 22, 2024, can never be forgotten from the pages of professional wrestling.