superstar CM Punk is officially out of WrestleMania 40 after suffering a devastating torn triceps injury.
The 45-year-old wrestler was believed to be heading for a showdown with Seth Rollins – who – for the World Heavyweight Championship but those plans are off the table after .
On Monday Night Raw, Punk addressed the fans in Tampa, and tearfully confirmed he won’t be fit in time to main event this year’s WrestleMania.
Punk suffered the injury during the Men’s Royal Rumble match on Saturday night, with Drew McIntyre taking credit for the incident and even claiming on Raw that his prayers had been answered.
Although he did finish the match – which saw Cody Rhodes win for the second year in a row – he was visibly holding his arm and talking to officials.
Fans have been left devastated by the news, especially after seeing how upset Punk was over the way things have turned out.
This segment broke me man. Punk had tears in his eyes 💔,’ wrote X user @tylerduran21, while @kyle_pribila agreed, adding: ‘CM Punk crying 😢 broke me #WWERaw
And fan @marvelousmarc96 said: ‘CM Punk has me in tears man 😠HE WILL COME BACK AND MAIN EVENT WRESTLEMAINA 41! BELIEVE THAT! (sic)’
His Rumble appearance marked almost a year to the day since the former world champion last wrestled on WWE television, as he walked out the company the next day (January 29, 2014).
Although his match with Rollins hadn’t been officially announced yet, it’s believed to have been the plan since in November 2023.
It’s the second major injury scare in just a few weeks, as Rollins himself and partially torn medial meniscus in his left knee earlier this month.
He was advised to undergo surgery, but confirmed on Raw last week that he plans to rehab the injury instead, which should enable him to be fit in time for WrestleMania 40.
If Punk is indeed facing a long layoff, Rollins may have to pivot and face GUNTHER, after the Intercontinental Champion targeted him as he addressed his future.
In terms of the premium live event itself, is poised to face Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns in a high stakes rematch of last year’s main event.
While the American Nightmare won the men’s bout, Bayley was victorious in the women’s match, and will get to choose between facing Rhea Ripley or Iyo Sky for the Women’s World or WWE Women’s Title respectively.
WWE Raw airs Monday nights at 1am on TNT Sports 1.
