Welcome the Daily Drop, your daily roundup of wrestling news and rumors for Saturday, March 23. Last night’s SmackDown was an eventual episode, and there’s a lot to get into.

Days Until WrestleMania 40: 14

WWE:

– Breakout Talents: Axiom and Nathan Frazer are impressing WWE NXT officials in a big way.

– WrestleMania Surprises: With only 2 weeks until WrestleMania 40, the company is talking about bringing in stars like The Undertaker, John Cena, and Steve Austin.

– WWE Shop Is Lighting It Up: They just released a new Roman Reigns “Family Above All” hoodie on the WWE Shop! So, click here to see what they have to offer on the road to WrestleMania!

Family Above All! Your Tribal Chief Roman Reigns has a NEW tee at #WWEShop! #WWE ?: https://t.co/AUY2zvoWJc pic.twitter.com/0inobnM5Go

— WWEShop.com (@WWEShop) March 22, 2024

– Jade Cargill is SmackDown: WWE ran a promo for Jade Cargill last night on SmackDown, where she proclaimed her allegiance to the blue brand. She will appear on next week’s show for the 3/29 episode.

? THIS IS HUGE!!! ? @Jade_Cargill will make her first official appearance as a #SmackDown Superstar NEXT WEEK! pic.twitter.com/JcNtvMuT0W

— WWE (@WWE) March 23, 2024

– Roman x Punk: Roman Reigns had a bit of a comment about CM Punk, and it drew some attention. He said, among other things, that “I’m not like CM Punk, where I got to the top of the mountain, it’s like, ‘Oh, it’s not what I expect, so I’m gonna bitch about it.'”

– Slammys Return: The Slammy Awards will continue this year. WWE announced the company will bring back their awards show this year on April 7, the same day as WrestleMania 40: Sunday. The ceremony will be hosted by Big E and Cathy Kelley.

– Vince McMahon Netflix Doc: The six-part Netflix docuseries is still happening, and that was confirmed. Bill Simmons and his team will need to edit some to change direction, but the project is still moving forward.

AEW:

– Mercedes’ Big Money: It was said by Swerve Strickland in a recent interview that Mercedes Mone deserves all the money she is getting from this AEW contract.

– Kenny Omega Update: Tony Khan stated he is optimistic about Omega’s return from diverticulitis, but there is no return timetable at this time.

– MJF Removed: Fans brought attention to the fact that MJF was removed from the official AEW shop, and their roster page. He was actually removed from the roster page on January 1.

– Cope Open Return: Adam Copeland confirmed that the Cope Open will return on the March 30 episode of AEW Collision. That will see him defend the AEW TNT Title in an open challenge.

EXCLUSIVE! After making Christian Cage utter the words, 'I QUIT', and capturing the TNT Title for the second time, we hear from the NEW TNT Champion Adam Copeland!@RatedRCope | #AEWDynamite pic.twitter.com/CUFyDk2GAj

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 21, 2024

– The CEO of Charity: Mercedes Mone bought a very lucky fan a brand-new television. She did this so he could watch AEW, and it was very appreciative of her generosity.

– Rampage High: AEW Rampage hit a high with their episode this week, which aired directly after AEW Dynamite’s 801k average viewership. This week’s AEW Rampage scored 541,000 viewers and a .27 in the 18 to 49 demographic. That was the highest number for the show since the April 22, 2022, episode of the show.

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events

Looking ahead, here are some of the major upcoming shows that we have in the pipeline:

April 6: NXT Stand & Deliver and WrestleMania XL Saturday from Philadelphia, PA.

April 7: WrestleMania XL Sunday from Philadelphia, PA.

April 21: All Elite Wrestling presents AEW Dynasty live on pay-per-view from St. Louis, Missouri at the Chaifetz Arena.

May 4: WWE Backlash France from Décines-Charpieu, France at the LDLC Arena.

While Roman Reigns has reached the proverbial mountain top of WWE, he has no intentions of slowing down anytime soon.

As it stands, Reigns currently sits atop WWE as the longest-reigning WWE Champion of the modern era, and the fourth longest of all time. Given the length of his reign, in combination with his towering status in WWE, Reigns was recently asked how he maintains his focus and passion for his in-ring craft.

Savoring The Moments, Unlike Someone Else

 In response, Reigns seized the opportunity to take a pointed shot at another man who once reached a similar level — former WWE Champion CM Punk. Punk, of course, lodged several complaints about the company during and after his reigns as WWE Champion.

“I’m living my dream, man,” Reigns said on the The Pat McAfee Show. “This is what I wanted my whole life, so I’m not one of them people that, once I got there, it just wasn’t what I expected. I’m not like CM Punk, where I got to the top of the mountain, it’s like, ‘Oh, it’s not what I expect, so I’m gonna bitch about it.’ No, once you reach your goals, enjoy the dream. This is what you’ve been working for, and that’s exactly what I’m doing. So for me, I don’t want this to ever end.” 

Roman Reigns takes aim at CM Punk,

(Pat McAfee Show) pic.twitter.com/PZiR4KPaa3

— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) March 22, 2024

Leveling Up

Though Reigns tends to keep his personal life out of the spotlight, he asserts that much of his time is spent on self-reflection and self-improvement as he looks to elevate himself even higher.

“I’m constantly working, I’m always prepping,” Reigns said. “I’m just obsessed with continuing to progress. I know there’s another level. I know there’s some more that I can do, so I don’t like to get satisfied or comfortable with the current level that I’m on.”

At this moment in time, CM Punk finds himself on the sidelines, as he sustained a torn triceps in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match. Despite his injury, though, Punk plans on participating in the upcoming WrestleMania 40 festivities, whether he is invited or not.

Former UFC fighter turned pro wrestler and promoter Josh Barnett says he’s spoken with CM Punk and other names from WWE and AEW about competing for his Bloodsport promotion, which is affiliated with Game Changer Wrestling (GCW).

The upcoming Bloodsport X event over WrestleMania weekend will feature a special attraction match pitting WWE Superstar Shayna Baszler against TNA’s Masha Slamovich.

Barnett wants to get more WWE (and AEW) contracted names to step into his league’s domain. During a recent appearance on the Under the Ring podcast, he revealed that he’s actually spoken with CM Punk about participating, as well as AEW star Malakai Black.

Both Punk and Black have martial arts experience and their offensive styles would translate well to Bloodsports’ ‘shoot-fight’ presentation.

Barnett also named Chad Gable, Born Breaker and Miro as grapplers he’d like to see fight in Bloodsport.

Punk has been out of action since suffering a torn triceps in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match. The injury has robbed Punk of an opportunity to step in the ring at WrestleMania 40, but he still vows to make his presence felt. 

CM Punk signed with the UFC in 2014 just months after leaving WWE. He wouldn’t make his debut until 2016 and lost in decisive fashion. Stephanie McMahon mocked Punk’s loss on WWE television, one of many examples of how bitter that relationship was for many years.

Punk’s second and final UFC fight was another decisive loss to Mike Jackson. That loss was later overturned and the result ruled a ‘no contest’ due to Jackson failing a test.

The ‘evolved’ Drew McIntyre is focused on taking the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40 thanks to the return of his “killer instinct.”

The Scottish Warrior will challenge champion Seth Rollins on April 7 as part of WrestleMania 40: Sunday. McIntyre earned the title match by winning the Men’s Elimination Chamber match last month in Perth, Australia. The upcoming title match will be the third World Championship match for both Rollins and McIntyre. 

Drew McIntyre Has Evolved

McIntyre has undergone a character shift as of late with the Scottish Warrior once again embracing a heel role in WWE. McIntyre has taken credit for CM Punk’s injury and has claimed that he ‘saved’ WrestleMania by keeping Punk off the show. Sitting down with Evan T. Mack, McIntyre spoke about his evolution and how it differs from Seth Rollins. 

“I’ve found myself at the right time because we need a savior of the industry. We have the savior of WrestleMania, the savior of Raw, and the savior of WWE and it’s Drew McIntyre, with my new evolved personality.

“Evolved, not like Seth Rollins, where he changes his personality every eight months or something because he doesn’t know who he is. I’m the same guy. I’ve been for years. I’ve just evolved.”

Seth Rollins’ Changes

While McIntyre may be the heel, it’s hard to ignore the often dramatic changes in Rollins’ character. The Architect has changed drastically from his days in the Shield and his currently colorful persona is in stark contrast to his ‘Monday Night Messiah’ character from just a few years ago. 

Drew McIntyre’s Killer Instinct

Drew McIntyre, according to himself, hasn’t changed like Rollins, but he has shown a more vicious side on TV. In the interview, Drew was pleased that his ‘killer instinct’ is back. 

“I was a little naive and a little too nice about [things.] The killer instinct I used to have… And it cost me for a couple of years. If you look at my past few years, very successful on television, but we came to those big matches and I think I lost about 12 in a row or something.

“What it came down to, was I was making silly, silly mistakes relating to not having that killer instinct I used to have. Now it’s back.”

For the use of quotes please give an H/T to SE Scoops.

Welcome the Daily Drop, your daily roundup of wrestling news and rumors for Wednesday, March 20. 

Last night’s NXT saw a big match added to the upcoming Stand & Deliver PLE over WrestleMania 40 weekend. In just a matter of hours, All Elite Wrestling presents a 3-hour live block of AEW Dynamite and AEW Rampage from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

WrestleMania 40 Countdown: 17 DAYS

Let’s get into it…

WWE News

Jade Cargill: I’ve been informed that Jade Cargill is not dealing with any injuries. Upon inquiry, I was informed that significant plans are in place for her future, described specially as “big plans.” They have a plan in place for her, so fans need to be a bit more patient. 

Jade Cargill is not injured. Let’s get that out of the way.

I asked and was told there are plans for her, and they are “big plans.”

Be patient. She’s in good hands.

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) March 19, 2024

CM Punk Injury Update: Also, on a related note, CM Punk was spotted training without his arm brace on. That is a great sign for his recovery progress, but we’re still MONTHS away from that happening.

AJ Lee Rumor: I ran an exclusive story last night about AJ Lee’s current status with WWE. A report was going around saying that talks are ongoing, but I had to clear everything up. At this time, there are no such discussions.

WWE Scripts: SEScoops ran an exclusive story about exactly how long WWE has been having their scripts approved. It seems that this practice hasn’t been going on for too long at all.

Bray Wyatt Documentary: We’re going to keep mentioning this, because everyone needs to see this. Bray Wyatt’s upcoming documentary, Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal, will drop on April 1st. WWE made the official announcement yesterday, and fans should expect quite a presentation for that passion project.

Blue Chipper: WWE higher ups are seeing big things in Oba Femi’s future. He’s a massive star for the company with years to go on him.

Apology: NXT star Brooks Jenson has been getting backlash for wearing an Ole Anderson t-shirt on television after the legend’s recent death.  Despite his accomplishments in wrestling, Anderson has a well-documented history of racially insensitive comments and general ‘old-school’ / caveman opinions. \

Jenson issued an apology for wearing the shirt and said he wasn’t aware of Anderson’s questionable behavior.

RAW Ratings: The March 18th episode of WWE RAW, which took place at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, attracted 1.69 million viewers, marking a 4% decrease from the previous week’s broadcast. The 0.55 rating in the P18-49 demographic was essentially even with the previous week’s 0.56.

AEW:

AEW Dynamite Preview: Matches for tonight’s broadcast include:

• TNT Championship I Quit Match: Christian Cage (c) vs. Adam Copeland
• AEW Continental Championship: Eddie Kingston (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada
• Deonna Purrazzo & Thunder Rosa vs. Toni Storm & Mariah May
• Chris Jericho vs. HOOK

Plus, we’ll hear from Mercedes Mone and will see more build for next month’s AEW Dynasty pay-per-view.

Tony Loves His CEO: Tony Khan endorsed Mercedes Mone as the next face of AEW. He gushed about her being one of the top signings in company history and said she’s got all the tools to help grow the company. 

Lost In The Jungle? Speaking of TK, it seems that he’s still upset with ‘Jungle Boy’ Jack Perry for his role in CM Punk’s departure from AEW. That said to be the reason why we haven’t seen him on TV since his suspension.  Perry still under contract with AEW, and competing in NJPW. 

Matt Hardy at RAW: Matt Hardy and his wife Reby were spotted in a luxury box during WWE RAW in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was there visiting friends and sources backstage said they didn’t see Matt mingling. Hardy later claimed that he was only in the building for about an hour and a half.

Suspended Star Grateful:  Sammy Guevara issued a statement, where he explained how grateful he is for the wave of fan support after his AEW suspension. 

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events

Looking ahead, here are some of the major upcoming shows on the horizon:

April 6: NXT Stand & Deliver and WrestleMania XL Saturday from Philadelphia, PA.

April 7: WrestleMania XL Sunday from Philadelphia, PA.

April 21: All Elite Wrestling presents AEW Dynasty live on pay-per-view from St. Louis, Missouri at the  Chaifetz Arena.

May 4: WWE Backlash France from Décines-Charpieu, France at the LDLC Arena.

We’ll see you back here tomorrow for another installment of the Daily Drop.

WWE lost a big time player when CM Punk went out of action with a triceps injury, but he is working hard toward his return to the ring. A new video should give fans hope that they will see him compete again sooner than later.

CM Punk suffered a triceps injury, forcing him out of action after the Royal Rumble. However, he recently showcased his progress by shedding his cast six weeks post-surgery and returning to training without his arm brace, signaling positive strides toward his comeback.

Punk is Working Hard Toward His WWE Return

CM Punk sustained a triceps injury following an incident at the Royal Rumble, leading to his sidelining. Despite this setback, Punk embarked on a diligent rehabilitation journey, recently marking a significant milestone by shedding his cast six weeks post-surgery.

Although Punk’s absence from WrestleMania 40 disappointed fans worldwide, he has been transparent about his recovery progress, regularly updating them. It appears that he is making very good progress on his return to the ring.

Punk took to his Instagram story to showcase his rehabilitation, and show off the fact that he is now pushing weight in training without his arm brace.

CM PUNK HAS THE ROBOTIC ARM CAST OFF

?????????? pic.twitter.com/ya9SMIrzmw

— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) March 19, 2024

What’s Next For CM Punk After His Injury

CM Punk might have a return feud ready-made for him. Drew McIntyre has been throwing jabs at him on social media for weeks. He also dropped some merchandise to get under Punk’s skin even more.

Only time will tell if CM Punk will walk right into a World Heavyweight Championship program, but he may not miss WrestleMania. He made it clear that he is showing up at the show of shows, whether he’s invited or not.

Punk is slated to appear at WWE The World, the company’s first joint effort with Fanatics, for an autograph signing. Only time will tell if he gets involved in the showcase of the immortals this year as well.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more as we get closer to WrestleMania. You never know what will break next as the show of shows approaches. 

WWE NXT commentator Booker T was just playing around when he claimed he had a run-in with CM Punk during a recent episode of the gold brand. 

Booker claimed during a recent edition of his Hall of Fame podcast that he and Punk “almost got into it” when the Chicago-Made star attended the March 12, taping. Booker did not share details of what transpired but said he’d speak more on the matter at a later time. 

Suspicions Arise

Immediately, suspicions arose regarding Booker’s claim of a backstage altercation with Punk. The ex-AEW star has been well-behaved since his return to WWE in November of last year and has been especially helpful with the WWE NXT roster.

 Nobody on said roster, or anyone at the taping, could recall any confrontation between the two. Booker would also waste no time in downplaying the seriousness of this alleged altercation. 

Booker T Comes Clean

On the most recent edition of his podcast, Booker T shared the truth about this so-called altercation with Punk. Booker admitted that he wasn’t exactly being honest when he claimed there was a ‘run in’ with the Raw Superstar. 

“I’m trying to entertain my fans… Because that story, that 40-second story that people wrote, it was clickbait, guys.

“Did I put it out there? Did I say it? As far as I had a beef, I was gonna run up? Yeah, I said [it] But I’m entertaining you guys. Entertaining. Just playing around.”

Booker’s (Real) Run-In

While two backstage altercations would ultimately doom CM Punk’s AEW run, Booker is hardly faultless when it comes to trouble backstage. In 2006, Booker and Batista had a legitimate fistfight at a SummerSlam commercial shoot. 

The issues between them seemed to stem from Batista suggesting that he was superior to Booker (and others on the roster) because of his quick rise to the top of WWE. The fight left both men bloodied, according to sources at the time. 

What’s Next? 

When not making up stuff for his podcast, Booker can be found behind the desk as an NXT commentator and will continue to call the action at WWE NXT, including at the Stand & Deliver show that’ll take place on April 6. 

CM Punk will be on the March 25, episode of WWE Raw that will take place in his hometown of Chicago, IL. Punk has also vowed that he’ll be at WrestleMania 40, even if he’s not invited.

WWE Raw Superstar CM Punk can’t compete due to a torn triceps injury, but that won’t keep him from having a role at WrestleMania 40 next month. 

CM Punk has been out of action since the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match, in which he suffered his injury. This is the latest injury setback for Punk, who was taken out of action in 2022 during his AEW run after suffering an injury while diving to the fans. Punk would suffer a triceps tear during his AEW All Out match with Jon Moxley that same year. 

CM Punk at WWE WrestleMania 40

Punk had hoped to headline WrestleMania this year; an accolade missing from the Best in the World’s impressive career. Punk not headlining WrestleMania 28 in favor of The Rock Vs. John Cena was alluded to during a segment between Punk and Cody Rhodes, with the Chicago-Made star hinting that Rock would replace Rhodes as the main eventer of WrestleMania 40. 

On this week’s Raw, a video aired hyping up Punk’s return to WWE programming which will come on next week’s episode of Monday Night Raw in Chicago, IL. During this video, Punk addressed his WrestleMania status. The former WWE & AEW World Champion vowed that he would be at WrestleMania 40, even if he isn’t formally invited. 

CHICAGO!

Get ready for the return of @CMPunk next week live on #WWERaw! What will the Best in the World have to say ahead of #WrestleMania?

LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE: https://t.co/wBbcrbTz74 pic.twitter.com/aOI6b8VOI4

— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2024

CM Punk’s Cancelled Plans

Punk was initially planned to face Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40. Instead, the World Heavyweight Champion will defend against Drew McIntyre. Punk was also scheduled for a role at last month’s WWE Elimination Chamber 2024 event, which also had to be scrapped due to his injury. 

CM Punk is out of action with a triceps injury that he sustained during the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match. Even though he’s out of action, Drew McIntyre is keeping things going in a big way, and he’s not letting go of his disdain for the Second City Savior.

Drew McIntyre recently made it clear that he wants a match against CM Punk. He’s just worried that Punk is made of glass, and he’ll break again before the match can happen.

McIntyre Speaks on Punk

Drew McIntyre’s journey in WWE since his debut on Raw has been marked by remarkable consistency and impressive performances. Despite facing initial setbacks, such as his loss to Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship, McIntyre has since rebounded with determination and resilience.

In the Men’s Royal Rumble match, McIntyre showcased his endurance and skill, making it to the Top 3 contenders. However, a clash with CM Punk resulted in McIntyre’s elimination, albeit with a consequential injury to Punk. As Punk focuses on his recovery, McIntyre has continued to fuel their rivalry, hinting at future storylines and expressing his eagerness for a showdown at SummerSlam.

In a recent interview with the Gorilla Position, McIntyre emphasized his desire for the match while also expressing concern for Punk’s well-being, given his injury-prone history. Reflecting on their past encounter at the Royal Rumble, McIntyre highlighted his dominance in the ring, underscoring his physical prowess and the impact of his performance on Punk.

“Yeah, I just hope he’s careful. Just worried he’s going to injure something else during rehab. Man’s made of glass. I want that match. I really want that match.“

“I’m just concerned for him, especially wrestling someone like me. I’m a freaking monster in there…I got my hands on him. You saw what I did to him at ‘Rumble. I tore him to pieces. I chopped him to bits…[CM] Punk was black and blue. I ended up hurting him in there.”

Drew McIntyre’s Road to WrestleMania and Beyond

As McIntyre prepares for his upcoming title challenge against Seth Rollins at WrestleMania, he isn’t losing focus of Punk. The Scottish Warrior’s current contract situation is also interesting.

McIntyre has not re-signed with WWE. The last report we heard said that is being advertised well past his contract expiration date, but a new deal hasn’t been signed.

With the potential for the World Heavyweight Championship to be involved in McIntyre’s future stories, things are even more interesting. This is especially true if CM Punk may be in McIntyre’s future. After all, CM Punk vs Seth Rollins was the plan for WrestleMania before Punk’s injury got in the way. 

Booker T isn’t quite sure why fans are making such a big deal after claiming he had a ‘run-in’ with CM Punk at the March 12, NXT.

The episode saw the Superstars of the gold brand continue on the road to NXT Stand & Deliver. The upcoming event will take place on Saturday, April 6, mere hours before WWE WrestleMania 40: Saturday. 

Booker T’ and CM Punk

CM Punk was present at this week’s episode of WWE NXT but he was acknowledged during the broadcast. On a recent edition of his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker claimed that he had a ‘run-in’ with Punk and teased the pair had an altercation. Booker did not disclose details but said he would share more at a later time. 

Booker T Responds

The reported backstage altercation quickly went viral as fans compared the situation to Punk’s previous issues behind the scenes in AEW. On Twitter, Booker (seemingly unaware of Punk’s prior altercations) questioned why fans were making such a big deal of things. The WWE NXT commentator said their ‘run-in’ could have been over something as simple as a banana, but still stopped short of saying what exactly the issue was. 

People are making an issue of a 40 second clip out of a 2 hour show… the dispute between @CMPunk could’ve been over a banana in catering hahah. Y’all are making much to do about nothing. ?? https://t.co/RLyYHBRlyl

— Booker T. Huffman (@BookerT5x) March 15, 2024

Is Booker T Lying? 

There has been scepticism within WWE as to whether this altercation actually took place. No sources within WWE saw any sort of ‘run-in’ between the two. In fact, since Punk’s return to WWE, the former AEW World Champion has been on his best behavior and has been very helpful at past WWE NXT tapings. 

CM Punk is back in WWE, and he hasn’t been in any big controversial situations yet. Then again, he’s just getting started, and it seems that something happened with Booker T.

The Harlem Heat member is now on the NXT commentary team. CM Punk was also around NXT this week, although he wasn’t seen on television. He did appear in front of the live crowd. It was reported that Punk and Booker T had a little tiff backstage, and now we have more details.

What Happened with CM Punk and Booker T

CM Punk made a backstage appearance at this week’s NXT, and he adopted a more subdued approach compared to his previous visits to the developmental brand. Earlier in the week, Booker T recounted a story on his Hall Of Fame podcast, alleging a backstage confrontation between himself and Punk during the taping.

However, Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that sources within NXT expressed skepticism regarding Booker’s remarks. These sources were unaware of any confrontation before Booker’s podcast episode. One insider highlighted that Punk has had no backstage issues since his WWE return last year and found it surprising that Booker would make such a claim without providing additional context.

Additionally, security was not alerted to any altercation, nor was there any discussion of such an incident. One would think that security would be notified if there was an incident.

CM Punk’s Backstage Attitude This Time Around

Furthermore, it was reported that Punk has been cooperative and willing to assist whenever he’s backstage at NXT. He’s there to help and soak in the atmosphere, so Punk isn’t being a problem or confrontational.

During the taping, Punk reportedly maintained a positive demeanor and mostly kept to himself, engaging in conversations with Shawn Michaels, Matt Bloom, and a few NXT roster members. One talent flatly refuted the alleged incident, citing Booker’s past claims of friction between him and Corey Graves, which were later proven false.

We will have to see what happens with CM Punk next, but it seems that there was no issue with him and Booker T. It’s very possible that Booker was just creating content for himself, but there was no Jack Perry moment with the Second City Savior.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more in the pro wrestling world, as more information is made known. Keep checking back for more updates on the headlines you need.

CM Punk may have attended this week’s episode of WWE NXT, but the Best in the World didn’t make a big deal of being present at the gold brand. 

This week’s WWE NXT saw the gold brand Superstars continue on the road to NXT Stand & Deliver. The show saw Roxanne Perez explain her recent heel turn while the show ended with Trick Williams locking lips with Meta Four’s Lash Legend. 

CM Punk at WWE NXT

Despite being one of the biggest names in professional wrestling today, Punk didn’t make a spectacle of himself at this week’s WWE NXT. Fightful reports that Punk kept a “much lower profile” compared to his previous visits to the Tuesday night show. In fact many within NXT were not aware of his presence at the show until photos began making the rounds online. 

CM Punk is in attendance for WWE NXT on USA Network tonight.

There are some rumblings that Punk has already been back in the ring training at the WWE Performance Center recently. #CMPunk #WWENXT #WrestleMania #StandAndDeliver pic.twitter.com/37UEQlBJiT

— WrestleWorld (@ItsWrestleWorld) March 13, 2024

CM Punk’s Altercation

While Punk kept a low profile at the show, he wasn’t covert enough to avoid a run-in with NXT commentator Booker T. The two-time WWE Hall of Famer has claimed that he and Punk “almost got into it” at this week’s taping but has not specified what their altercation was about. Booker has said that he intends to discuss the matter at a later time. 

What’s Next? 

CM Punk will appear on the March 25, episode of WWE Raw, which will take place in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois. The show will mark Punk’s first time in front of his own people since his stunning return to WWE at Survivor Series: WarGames in November 2023. 

WWE Hall of Famer Booker T and CM Punk came close to having some kind of altercation this week at WWE NXT according to the former WCW World Champion.

This week’s WWE NXT saw the gold brand Superstars continue on the road to NXT Stand & Deliver. The show saw Roxanne Perez explain her recent heel turn and demand an opportunity at NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria. The show also saw Trick Williams demand a match with Carmelo Hayes, which has been made official for NXT’s next major event. Trick even shared a kiss with Meta Four’s Lash Legend in the closing segment of the show. 

Booker T & CM Punk

After recently returning from health issues, Booker T was on hand to call the action at this week’s WWE NXT, alongside Vic Joseph. CM Punk was also present at this week’s show in a rare outing for the injured Superstar, though he wasn’t featured as part of the broadcast. 

Speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T reflected on Punk’s time at the show, and disclosed an alleged altercation between the two. 

“I almost had a little run-in with CM Punk. The internet might want to pick that up. Me and CM Punk almost got into it at ‘NXT’ this week… We’ll talk about it later, because they’re going to pick it up and run with it.”

What’s Next? 

Booker will continue to call the action at WWE NXT, including at the Stand & Deliver show that’ll take place on April 6, mere hours before WrestleMania 40: Saturday. CM Punk will make an appearance on the March 25, episode of WWE Raw that will take place in his hometown of Chicago, IL. 

CM Punk made his grand return to WWE back in November in the closing moments of Survivor Series 2023 from Chicago. He began feuding with Seth Rollins and they were on track to have a top match at WrestleMania 40. Unfortunately, Punk tore his right tricep in the Royal Rumble, underwent surgery and won’t be cleared for action any time soon.

Since then, he’s made a few public appearances. Punk was at UFC 298, along with Bianca Belair and Montez Ford. He’s appeared in front of the live crowd after WWE Raw has gone off the air, and explained to fans why he’s not part of the WWE 2K24 roster. We now know when CM Punk will be back on WWE television.

WWE has announced that CM Punk will be there live in person when Monday Night Raw stops through Chicago, IL on March 25. 

Here’s the official announcement for CM Punk’s appearance when the ‘Road to WrestleMania’ runs through the Windy City:

BREAKING: @CMPunk returns to Chicago when #WWERaw heads back to the Windy City on March 25!

?? TICKETS ON SALE NOW: https://t.co/wBbcrbTz74 pic.twitter.com/n1YMjF2MH3

— WWE (@WWE) March 11, 2024

CM Punk’s Injury

CM Punk tore his right tricep in the Royal Rumble, underwent surgery and is now on the road to recovery. 

Get well soon, CM Punk. ??#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/HCFFZVPwuI

— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2024

Although it’s unclear exactly how long CM Punk will be out of action, he probably won’t be wrestling for several more months.

The injury was a devastating setback for the controversial figure, who had been away from WWE for nearly a decade prior to his return. Punk arrived in WWE the same way he did in AEW: seemingly rested, refreshed and excited to write the final chapter of his career on his own terms.

Whenever CM Punk does return, we can expect a motivated veteran eager to get back to his game-plan to remind fans why he’s still the Best in the World. 

CM Punk is currently out of action, but he’s still getting around. He loves pro wrestling, and you never know if he’ll be around if there is an event in his city.

Chicago is CM Punk’s home, and he’s been spending a lot more time there with his current injury status. Freelance Wrestling recently had a show in Chicago, and the Second City Savior couldn’t miss it.

CM Punk Spotted At Indie Wrestling Event

Sean Ross Sapp noted on Fightful Select that CM Punk was backstage at the Freelance Wrestling show in Chicago this week. It was not noted who he was there to see.

You never know where Punk will show up next. He is obviously welcomed backstage at Freelance Wrestling. Then again, practically any indie wrestling company on the planet would love to have CM Punk around.

CM Punk’s WrestleMania 40 Status

Punk will be around for WrestleMania, as he has an appearance planned at the company’s fan event before the show of shows. Sadly, his planned single match against Seth Rollins couldn’t happen, but Punk will likely be around for WrestleMania next year.

SEScoops will have more on this story in case there are more updates on CM Punk’s status. It seems that he is doing his best to stay active during his injury hiatus.

Rhea Ripley has never been afraid to go toe-to-toe with male Superstars in WWE, and now she wants her shot with the Best in the World. 

During an interview with the BWGS Podcast, Ripley spoke about growing up watching WWE and being enamored by the likes of Triple H, The Miz, and CM Punk. When asked about which of the three she’d like to face, Ripley set her sights on the Best in the World. 

”I would like to face Punk… with the way that he did his promos and the way that he just did everything. It was always entertaining and I feel like if I were to step into a storyline… it would definitely help skyrocket Rhea Ripley to the next level sort of thing.”

Rhea Ripley Vs. The Men

Ripley hasn’t been shy when it comes to taking on male Superstars during her tenure with WWE. Before his inclusion in the Judgment Day, Dominik Mysterio often fell victim to attacks by Ripley in 2022. Superstars who have fallen victim to ‘Mami’ include AJ Styles, Matt Riddle, Akira Tozawa, Rey Mysterio, Kevin Owens, and Luke Gallows, as seen in the video below. 

What’s Next for Rhea Ripley? 

Ripley won’t face a man at WrestleMania, but rather ‘The Man’ Becky Lynch. The Irish Superstar won the Women’s Elimination Chamber match last month to earn a Women’s World Championship match at WrestleMania 40. This will be the sixth title match for Lynch at WrestleMania, and the fourth for Ripley. 

H/T – POST Wrestling

WWE Superstar Drew McIntyre had some fun after this week’s episode of Raw, at the expense of fans who have rallied behind CM Punk. 

McIntyre has taken credit for CM Punk’s torn triceps injury which will prevent the ex-AEW star from competing at WrestleMania. McIntyre has even gone as far as to say he’s ‘saved’ WrestleMania by ridding the show of Punk, ensuring that Cody Rhodes would win the Men’s Royal Rumble and challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. 

Drew McIntyre Taunts CM Punk Fans

On this week’s episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, McIntyre defeated Jey Uso in the show’s main event. McIntyre would send a message after the match by leveling WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins with a Claymore Kick.

After Raw, McIntyre shared a video as he prepared to leave the area. The Scottish Warrior noticed a gaggle of fans who heavily booed McIntyre. After a CM Punk chant broke out, McIntyre played Punk’s theme to antagonize the crowd. McIntyre found it hilarious as he embarked on his “victory lap” in front of the fans.

Are they booing me?

Oh no sir, they’re saying ‘Boo-urns! Boo-urns!’ pic.twitter.com/IxD77KM9MB

— Drew (@DMcIntyreWWE) March 5, 2024

What’s Next?

After winning the Men’s Elimination Chamber match in Perth, Australia, McIntyre’s Road to WrestleMania is crystal clear. The Scottish Warrior will challenge World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins at the two-night event this April. On this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw, it was stated that this match will take place on WrestleMania 40: Sunday. 

CM Punk won’t be competing at WrestleMania 40, but they still could still see an appearance from the Best in the World. CM Punk has been advertised for the April 1, go-home episode of WWE Monday Night Raw.

CM Punk’s return to WWE sparked a wave of excitement from fans, but they only got to see him wrestle at the Royal Rumble before an injury took him out of action. Drew McIntyre believes that he has a lot to do with the reason fans are still talking about the Second City Savior.

Since Punk’s injury, Drew McIntyre has continued to throw shade at him. He even put out a t-shirt, where he was photoshopped posing over Punk’s grave. If you ask The Scottish Warrior, that relevancy CM Punk is seeing is all thanks to him.

Drew Makes Bold Claim

In recent weeks, McIntyre has taunted CM Punk through his WWE Raw promos and social media posts. All of this led fans to speculate that he will actually re-sign with the company, even though his contract is set to expire prior to Punk’s return.

During his appearance on WWE The Bump, McIntyre discussed his jabs at CM Punk. When questioned about whether he was being too harsh, the former WWE Champion responded that Punk should express gratitude for the attention, stating, “I think Punk and everyone should be thanking me. All his fans should be thanking me because I’m the one keeping him relevant right now by constantly talking about him.”

McIntyre also provided an update on his ear after mentioning a blown eardrum at WWE Elimination Chamber. Reiterating his comments from the February 26 episode of WWE Raw, he assured that the injury wouldn’t sideline him for WrestleMania, adding, “I might be hurt, but who do you think I am, CM Punk? It’s not gonna take me out the game.” 

He acknowledged the frustration of compromised hearing but humorously noted that it seemed to enhance his other senses. It seems that McIntyre’s quick wit is not injured one bit.

What’s Next For Drew McIntyre

We will have to see what is going to happen with CM Punk and Drew McIntyre. The two seem destined to throw down in some fashion. Hopefully, WWE and Drew can figure out their contract issues and get something official very soon.

Drew will take on Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40 for the World Heavyweight Championship. That will be a fantastic opportunity for him at the showcase of the immortals, and only time will tell what is after that. A lot of things with McIntyre seem to be pending on his contract situation at this point. 

CM Punk has an amusing wish involving his pet dog, Larry. 

Fans are aware that WWE 2K24 is available for pre-order now. CM Punk has been missing from WWE video games for nearly a decade. However, things are changing with this year following his return last year. Fans would be eager to buy the season pass as it the DLC content for WWE 2K24 will include not only CM Punk but other stars such as Jade Cargill, Pat McAfee, Post Malone, the Dudley Boyz, DDP, Carlito, Mr. Perfect and Lex Luger.

CM Punk recently spoke about his absence from the WWE 2K24, and said that fans want him in the game as they have been vocal about the matter. WWE 2K24 announced during last night’s Raw that CM Punk will be a part of the downloadable content for the new game.

CM Punk made an appearance in a video in one of 2K’s hype posts about this announcement and said that WWE have heard their voices and now he will be a part of the game. 

CM Punk advocates for Larry to be included in next WWE game

Punk went on to acknowledge the success and also took his Instagram stories to advocate another campaign for his beloved dog, Larry to include him in the next WWE 2K video game installment.

“Next time we will get Larry in the game !!! @wwegames.”

WWE 2K24 includes a playable version of a Cody Rhodes action figure in the game. WWE 2K24 will have three editions: Deluxe, Forty Years of WrestleMania, and Standard. These will release globally on March 8, 2024. 

Drew McIntyre held nothing back on this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw when it came to mocking CM Punk in the latest escalation of the feud between the two. 

Punk is currently out injured after suffering a torn triceps in the Men’s Royal Rumble match, an injury that McIntyre has been more than happy to take credit for. The Best in the World was originally planned to challenge World Heavyweight Champion Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins at WrestleMania 40 but those plans have since been scrapped. In his place, McIntyre will challenge Rollins in April after winning last weekend’s Men’s Elimination Chamber Match.

Drew McIntyre on CM Punk

Appearing on this week’s Raw, McIntyre was in an unsurprisingly jovial mood in San Jose, CA. McIntyre’s latest barrage against Punk began before a word was said, with Drew sitting down in mimicry of the former WWE and AEW World Champion. 

From there, McIntyre would mock Punk’s injury which has cost the latter his dream of headlining WrestleMania. McIntyre recalled a backstage conversation after being banged up in the Men’s Elimination Chamber match. 

“The doctor looked at me and said ‘Drew, you’re hurt, there’s a chance you don’t make WrestleMania.’ I said ‘Who do you think I am, CM Punk? Nothing’s going to stop me from making WrestleMania!'”

With another dig at the Best in the World, McIntyre said he knows Punk is straight edge, so he decided to drink enough for the both of them to celebrate his win at WWE Elimination Chamber 2024. 

This World Title match is for you, Punk ? #GetWellSoon #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/MD98Kry0fn

— Drew (@DMcIntyreWWE) February 27, 2024

What Came Next? 

Seth Rollins would then confront McIntyre and the pair would share words about their upcoming World Heavyweight Championship match. McIntyre seemed open to the concept of The Bloodline interfering in the match to help him in a shocking move considering that Bloodline interference cost him the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Clash at the Castle. 

WWE 2K24 is not going to include CM Punk from the look of it. Of course, CM Punk appeared in AEW: Fight Forever, even after his firing. This is a very interesting issue, and Punk is going to look into things.

CM Punk certainly noticed that his name is not included in 2K’s plan to roll out this new game. His name is absent from the roster, and DLC plans have not featured him, either. The Second City Savior is never short on words, and an investigation is apparently underway.

CM Punk Addresses WWE 2K24

WWE 2K24 is preparing for its upcoming release, introducing several new features to fans. Notable enhancements include the incorporation of real WWE referees and highly lifelike character models. However, to the surprise of many, CM Punk’s absence from the game, including any future DLC plans, has prompted him to launch an inquiry.

Acknowledging his absence from the game, CM Punk took to social media to address the situation. He admitted to being aware of his late return to WWE, which consequently led to his exclusion from the game’s initial roster.

CM Punk brought up that 2K had revealed the full roster for the upcoming WWE video game. He expressed his disappointment at not being included, recognizing that his return to WWE occurred after the game’s development. Despite this, he had hoped to see himself featured in the recently released DLC teaser. In response to fan demand for his inclusion, CM Punk stated that he would be conducting an investigation into the matter.

Punk also realizes that fans will go crazy because he’s not in the game, but that is the situation we’re in right now.

”And I know this because the fans are going crazy, they’re asking where I’m at and asking how come I’m not in the video game. So, I decided to make it my thing to try to get to the bottom of this, because the fans are demanding that I be put in this video game. Now I’m not a video game guy, so I don’t know how fast they can do this, but like I said, we’re gonna try to get to the bottom of this, and I’m gonna tag them here just to put some pressure on. Let’s put some feet to fire today, ladies and gentlemen.”

CM Punk addresses #WWE2k24 absence. Fingers crossed for DLC ? pic.twitter.com/i76pFuNlAE

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) February 26, 2024

CM Punk’s Situation 

CM Punk didn’t return to WWE until Survivor Series 2024, and that was a massive surprise. 2K had no time to get his character design all ready, let alone the entrance on Punk’s level deserves in the game.

Hopefully, 2k will announce Punk as a DLC addition later on. Right now, it appears that fans will have to keep waiting, or they will have to make a CAW of Punk for one more year.

WWE 2K24 Release Details

WWE 2K24 will offer three editions: Deluxe, Forty Years of WrestleMania, and Standard. These editions will roll out globally on March 8, 2024. Keep an eye out for updates on the game’s soundtrack, roster, Superstar ratings, and other details.

Stay tuned to SE Scoops for ongoing coverage of WWE 2K24 and all the latest in the world of professional wrestling.

Update: CM Punk will be Included

It was announced during WWE RAW that CM Punk, Jade Cargill, Pat McAfee, and more will be included as DLC in the season pass of this year’s game. 

WWE has seen quite a ride on the road to WrestleMania 40 so far. This included The Rock re-entering the fold, and plans changing multiple times. CM Punk’s injury also threw a wrench in WWE’s plans, so there were several things that they needed to address. Their plan to take Cody Rhodes out of the picture was also nixed in the process. 

WWE Planned Injury Angle For Cody

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted that Cody Rhodes was informed in the fall that he would face Reigns. However, he was not informed about Rock’s involvement in the match until January 3rd. Therefore, any interviews he gave about concluding the story before the Rumble assumed he was part of the match, despite rumors about The Rock.

The report also went on to say that WWE planned an injury angle for Cody to write him out of the WrestleMania 40 main event match once The Rock showed up. Of course, they pivoted from those plans in a big way.

[Cody] was told the day of the Rumble that Rock was facing Reigns even though he was winning the Rumble. He was also told that they would be going to Reigns against him later so all the post-match stuff building that match wasn’t there to swerve people as much a build a later match. But the fact it was not going to be Reigns vs. Rhodes was keep secret from almost everyone (obviously a few knew) because Rock wanted the angle the next Friday a surprise. Even fewer knew the injury angle planned for Rhodes because even people who knew this complete story were not aware of the original idea of how to get Rhodes out of the match and Rock in.

WWE Changed More WrestleMania 40 Plans

The report also noted that Punk’s injury changed plans, but there was still no use for a men’s Elimination Chamber match because Rhodes was going to choose Rollins as his opponent. The Rock was also not wrestling in Australia, at an event that takes place at 5:00 AM on the East Coast. 

The angle with Rhodes endorsing Rock, which was reportedly suggested by Triple H, was well-received by the crowd and WWE thought it went well at first. Then social media backlash changed things. Johnson reportedly already considered turning heel if fans booed him, which led the company to push in that direction.

I reported the entire time that The Rock was the only one who could change those plans. In the end, Dwayne Johnson conceded that it should be Cody Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania 40 against Roman Reigns. 

If the Rhodes injury angle was followed through with, they would have likely faced an even greater negative social media reaction. Now, fans have a chance to see Cody finish his story.

WWE’s roster has some notable contracts that are set to expire this year, and one of them has not inked a new deal. Drew McIntyre’s contract situation is a very interesting one, especially considering everything they’re booking for the Scottish Warrior.

Drew McIntyre’s Contract Situation 

Drew McIntyre’s WWE contract has a big question mark over it right now. At this point, he has not inked a new deal, but all signs point to the idea that he will be sticking around.

Not only is McIntyre throwing jabs at CM Punk with his latest merchandise, but he is also booked for shows past his contract expiration date. Although it appears that WWE has plans for him, Drew has not agreed to terms on a new deal.

McIntyre’s current contract is supposedly up after WrestleMania. WWE was able to extend it a bit due to time he missed.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted that, although Drew McIntyre has not signed on the dotted line just yet, all signs point to him agreeing to another contract with WWE.

While one would think McIntyre has signed his new deal, and I’d at this point be shocked if he goes anywhere given they’ve set up a major Rhodes vs. McIntyre program, seemingly for after Mania, and he’s got an already-written program with Punk that he’s been pushing hard for around November. But there is no new deal signed yet but clearly the expectation is that he’s staying and he’s in the best position he’s ever been given between his work and how hot the company is.

Drew McIntyre’s Future in WWE

Drew McIntyre and CM Punk seem destined for battle, but the Second City Savior will be out of action for a while with his triceps injury. Only time will tell if McIntyre is able to stay around WWE long enough to see Punk return to action.

In the meantime, McIntyre is in the 2024 Elimination Chamber match, where he is battling for a chance to take on Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40. 

SEScoops will have more updates on this story as additional information is available. 

Randy Orton expressed pride in the way he handled receiving the news of CM Punk’s return, mentioning that the old Orton would have been upset.

When Punk made his return at WWE Survivor Series last year, Orton had just made his comeback himself for his first match following an 18-month recovery from a serious back injury. He participated in the event as part of the WarGames match, teaming up with Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Seth Rollins, and Sami Zayn to defeat The Judgement Day and Drew McIntyre’s team.

So when Punk made his return the very same night, it created a clash between two comebacks and overshadowed Orton’s return. Speaking to Justin Barrasso for Sports Illustrated, Orton revealed he was told about Punk’s Survivor Series return the day of the event.

“The day of Survivor Series, I’m about to get my boots on. I’m feeling the nerves, it had been a year-and-a-half. Triple H is like, ‘Hey Randy, I’ve got to talk to you for a second.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, what’s up, man?’ So he told me a couple things. And then he went, ‘One more thing–Punk’s returning tonight.’ I thought he was f—— with me. I said, ‘You’re joking,’ and he was like, ‘No, I’m not. This is something that just happened in the last few days, yada yada yada.’”

Orton admitted that if this were the older, hotheaded version of him, he would have lost his cool upon hearing the news. However, the mature and calmer incarnation of The Viper handled it well and didn’t let it become a problem, even though he was excited about returning to the ring.

“I was so excited for this surprise return. That’s never really been the case. They’ve always kind of stooged off the fact I was returning; they wanted those views. So I’d never had that surprise return.

I could have been really pissed, and old Randy would have been pissed. It was a defining moment for me. I went out there, we had a great WarGames match, everybody was excited that I returned, everybody was excited that Punk returned, and neither return stepped on each other. It was a testament to how much I’d grown. It would have been an issue only if I made it one, so I was proud of the way I handled it.”

While Punk is currently sidelined with an injury, you can catch Orton this Saturday at the men’s Elimination Chamber, set to be held in Perth, Australia.

The full interview with Randy Orton is at SI.com

CM Punk was on the road to WrestleMania 40, where he was going to have a match against Seth Rollins. However, he went out of action because of his triceps injury.

Punk attended UFC 298 on February 17 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. There, he spoke to ESPN about a number of topics, such as his arm’s recovery process.

“I’m only about two weeks post-op. It’s more mental than anything. Pain is, whatever, you know? Like, we all deal with it. I’m just more heartbroken. Was kinda on a roll, was looking forward to a lot of cool opportunities coming up and for that to get paused while I had just returned to the WWE sucks. But I know those same opportunities will be there, and it’s just life. It’s an occupational hazard, you get knocked down, you get back up. Wash, rinse, repeat.”

Punk revealed that he has to have an attitude like that about his injury, otherwise he would go crazy. He admitted that he did have a “good cry about it” the night it happened.

How Punk looks at The Rock’s return and Roman Reigns-Cody Rhodes storyline

Punk talked about the return of the Rock and the Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes storyline, talking about how the talent react when an “old timer” comes back.

“I’m the guy that ten years ago was across the ring from Rock. So there’s very much a line drawn in the sand when the ‘old timers’ come back. You have a whole crew of young guys that have been carrying the burden, carrying the shows, carrying the company on their back 365 days a year and man, who do these guys think they are?”

However, he admitted that his attitude regarding this has changed.

“It’s kinda funny now my perspective is obviously a little bit different. I am now one of those guys. But obviously, The Rock is next level. Biggest box office movie star in the world. So I understand that. But I also understand where Cody’s coming from. So it’s interesting to be on the outside looking in on that. 

I just wish I was still in the mix because I know I was gonna be. I’ll still be around, cus the wing’s broken, [but] the mouth still works. I’ll still get to talk a bunch of trash. No one’s going to pick on the one-armed guy, right?”

On his expectations about the comeback

CM Punk vowed to have the greatest comeback of all time after his triceps surgery. Speaking about his expectations and progress, he said:

“I take a lot of inspiration from a lot of UFC fighters. Tonight we saw Ilia Topuria who very much put into the world that he was going to be undefeated and become champion. So when I say that my comeback will be the greatest of all time I’m doing that for the explicit purpose of putting my money where my mouth is. I’m saying it, I’m letting everybody know, and I have to live up to that. I won’t come short of anything but the greatest comeback of all time.”

Punk said it’s important to listen to people who know more than he does, such as doctors, and giving his time enough rest to recover so that he can start pushing it again.

“It’s exciting being my age, back in the WWE and being able to not only prove people wrong but prove myself right. I’m gonna have fun doing it and it’s going to be the best comeback of all time.”