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CM Punk and AJ Lee were absent from last week's RAW following Wrestlepalooza, which saw AJ return to the ring after a gap of over 10 years and defeat Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins in a fun Mixed Tag Team Match alongside The Best in the World in Indianapolis. They are not advertised for tonight's RAW either, leading to speculation regarding whether the real-life couple will be off TV for a while going forward.
While AJ may seemingly not be tied to a full-time round-the-year deal, WWE will likely have her singles feud with Becky Lynch whenever the time is right. Meanwhile, Punk certainly is a full-time guy, but he may be taking a short break, too. In this article, we will discuss three reasons why that could indeed be the case:
#3. Seth Rollins vs. Cody Rhodes is set for Crown Jewel
World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will go one-on-one at Crown Jewel. This means that CM Punk can't have a shot at Rollins and his title until then.
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As such, whether from a presentation standpoint or even looking at it from the perspective of Punk's character and his motivations, it doesn't make sense for him to be on TV right now.
A star of his stature being on TV for no reason or in a forced feud dilutes the equity he brings to the table, and he does not fit into the Jey Uso-LA Knight-Jimmy Uso story right now either.
#2. Monday Night RAW does not NEED CM Punk's star power right now
The OTC, Roman Reigns, is being advertised for Crown Jewel: Perth. Hence, CM Punk can afford to take a few weeks off.
Monday Night RAW, as much as it benefits from his presence, doesn't NEED his star power right now. Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes will seemingly be appearing on RAW leading up to Crown Jewel to confront The Vision.
#1. CM Punk does not take a backseat to anyone
The likely presence of Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns on RAW over the next few weeks could mean either of two things.
Either The Best in the World will actively and directly be involved with the build-up to their respective matches, or he will work an undercard program over the next few weeks; "directly" and "actively" are specific adverbs here because the enemy and the bigger story in this case are common.
Regardless, he will be taking a backseat to whatever is going on. That is not something in The Second City Saint's nature. Not only will it dilute his presence, but it will dilute his character, too. Instead, Punk could simply recharge his mind and body and come back fresh post-Crown Jewel.
