CM Punk has reportedly suffered a torn right triceps injury during the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match, as first reported by PWInsider.
Punk, who finished as runner-up in the match to Cody Rhodes, seemingly suffered the injury after receiving a Future Shock DDT from Drew McIntyre. As seen below, after the move, Punk can be seen clutching his right arm and speaking to a referee.
The Rumble match this past Saturday was Punk’s first televised bout since he walked out of the company after the 2014 Royal Rumble. He entered the match as the 27th entrant and made it to the final two before being eliminated by the winner, Cody Rhodes.
Plans scuppered
This could come as a major blow to WWE’s WrestleMania 40 plans. Punk was being lined up to face WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins in one of the event’s main events. The likelihood of this match occurring now seems to be completely up in the air.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile the extent of the Straight Edge Superstar’s injury is unconfirmed, it is reported he will need surgery after addressing his future on WWE Raw tonight.
A familiar road to recovery
The typical recovery time for an injury of this nature is 4-6 months, meaning Punk may be out until the summer.
Punk has suffered from triceps injuries in the past. He tore his triceps during the main event of AEW All Out 2022 against Jon Moxley. Following that injury, the Voice of the Voiceless was kept out of action from September 2022 – June 2023.
The 5-time world champion recently returned to the WWE back in November at Survivor Series. His return garnered record-breaking social media views for the WWE. Punk has also routinely been at the top of WWE Shop merchandise charts.
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This news will come as a major disappointment for Punk and the WWE fanbase. Main-eventing WrestleMania has always been a dream of Punk’s. His not doing so was a contributing factor to his bitter departure from the WWE in 2014. With the superstar now being 45 years old, the timing of this injury seems especially cruel.
We wish CM Punk a safe and speedy recovery.