NBCUniversal reportedly pushed for CM Punk’s move to WWE SmackDown
NBCUniversal has reportedly wanted CM Punk on SmackDown for some time now.
According to a report from WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select on Thursday, NBCUniversal sources said the network has been pushing for Punk to be featured on SmackDown for “well over a year,” viewing him as one of WWE’s top stars.
The report noted that one source believes having Punk on the show could help SmackDown pick up momentum after it has dipped in recent months.
A WWE creative source also indicated that there are “no indications” Punk’s title reign will be a short one.
CM Punk to WWE SmackDown, Punk vs. Cody Rhodes
Our own Dave Meltzer reported in the June 15, 2026 edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Punk would be part of the SmackDown brand when he returned.
Meltzer wrote:
“The plan right now is for him to return on Smackdown, which is basically a balancing act. The belief is with Raw having Reigns, Rollins, The Usos, Fatu, Femi, Logan Paul and Breakker that Punk made more sense on Smackdown with a top tier of Rhodes, Gunther, Ripley and soon to be Punk, Orton and McIntyre. Plus Rhodes vs. Punk has been a direction.“
Following his WWE Championship win over Sami Zayn on Raw this week from his hometown of Chicago, Punk has been announced for Friday’s edition of WWE SmackDown. The episode will take place at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Ian Carey is a writer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, whose work has been featured in NOW Magazine, The Huffington Post, and more. A lifelong wrestling aficionado born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he has covered the industry for a decade and a half. He joined the f4wonline.com team in 2019.