CM Punk faced off with The Bloodline in his return to WWE SmackDown, and he got some help from Cody Rhodes.
CM Punk kicked off the June 21 episode of WWE SmackDown, which was held in his hometown of Chicago. This came after Punk appeared at WWE Clash at the Castle and cost Drew McIntyre his world title match against Damian Priest.
The Chicago crowd happily welcomed CM Punk home. The former world champion expressed his excitement and noted that it was a lot of pressure to be out there. Punk said he still wondered if he could handle the pressure before he brought up his classic win at WWE Money in the Bank 2011. He then turned his attention to WWE Clash at the Castle and said it was a bit of revenge, as Drew McIntyre kicked him while he was down.
Punk noted that staying down or turning the other cheek was not an option, so he chose the “Chicago way.” He said he would make McIntyre’s life a living hell, and he planned to bury his career. Punk brought up McIntyre quitting Monday night on RAW and said he could not handle the pressure.
Paul Heyman Interrupts CM Punk
Paul Heyman interrupted and he was not out there to disrespect Punk. He said that it was “hot as balls” outside, and that was true inside the arena as well because of Punk. Heyman noted that Punk sat next to his children at the Hall of Fame ceremony. He called Punk his best friend. Punk forgave Heyman, and they hugged. Heyman got emotional and detailed how Solo Sikoa was “pissed off.” He said that Sikoa wanted every down to be his town.
Heyman said that when Punk was cleared, anyone who faced him would learn that they were facing the best in the world, but he warned that The Bloodline was coming for him. He told Punk to leave for his own good. Punk questioned Heyman before Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa came out. Sikoa said that Punk had two options, he could either pay his respects to The Bloodline or they could make sure that he never got cleared. Punk asked Heyman what favor he was going to ask, and he said, “Take me with you.”
Punk called Sikoa, Tonga, and Loa a “phony cosplay Tribal Chief” and “fake-ass Usos”.
The Bloodline was about to attack him, but Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes made the save. Rhodes then challenged Sikoa to face him later in the show.
Punk has been out of action since he suffered a torn triceps in the 20234 Royal Rumble match. He has continued to make appearances over the past few months.
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