Jan 29, 2024

WWE superstar CM Punk has reportedly suffered a devastating injury which could rule him out of WrestleMania 40.

The 45-year-old wrestler was believed to be heading for a showdown with Seth Rollins – who is also out injured – for the World Heavyweight Championship but those plans appear to be off after he suffered torn triceps at the Royal Rumble.

Punk is set to appear on tonight’s episode of Monday Night Raw in Tampa, Florida where it’s believed he will address the injury.

According to multiple reports, Punk suffered the injury during the Men’s Royal Rumble match on Saturday night, with PWInsider noting it may have happened taking a move from Drew McIntyre.

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.

Insiders told the outlet that if, as suspected, he needs surgery, he would be facing ‘in the area of four [to] six months of recovery and physical therapy’.

This would mean if Punk underwent surgery over the next week, he would be out until the summer, which would rule him out of WrestleMania in April.

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 Punk’s shock comeback at Survivor Series in November 2023.

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, Rumble winner Cody Rhodes 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.It’s the second major injury scare in just a few weeks, as Rollins himself suffered a Grade 2 MCL tear and partially torn medial meniscus in his left knee earlier this month.

WWE Raw airs Monday nights at 1am on TNT Sports 1.