3 opponents for CM Punk if Drew McIntyre does not return to WWE

CM Punk's actions at Clash at the Castle have effectively cost WWE one of its top superstars. Frustrated with the company's action following his devastating loss in Glasgow, Scotland, Drew McIntyre announced on RAW that he is quitting WWE. The announcement left many in shock, but one person who is undoubtedly happy is The Voice of the Voiceless.

Now, the reality of the situation is that this is probably all for the benefit of the storyline. WWE seems to be building up to a major match between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre, and it's only a matter of when and where it happens. However, should The Scottish Warrior's decision to leave the company hold up, the question arises: what next for Punk?

Well, if there is one thing The Best in the World has going for him, it's that he has no shortage of enemies. With that in mind, here are three opponents who could step up and challenge Punk if McIntyre does not return.

#3. Wade Barrett gets revenge for his good friend Drew McIntyre

If there was anyone outside of the whole of Scotland who was more irate by CM Punk's actions at Clash at the Castle, it was Wade Barrett. Following the main event, Barrett blasted Punk on the Clash at the Castle post-show. To be specific, he called it the biggest "screwjob" in WWE history, beating out what happened to Bret Hart in Montreal.

In addition to this, Barrett called for Punk's head. He suggested that it's high time WWE considered firing the eight-time champion, especially considering this is the second time he has cost Drew McIntyre. He even seemed to threaten Punk, suggesting that if the latter wasn't gone from WWE, there would be "hell to pay."

With Punk now scheduled to make an appearance on this week's SmackDown, there is a chance that Barrett could confront him. If the company decides to pull the trigger on this, we could see Bad News back in action for the first time in eight years.

#2. Damian Priest tries to prove that he can defend his title on his own

Since winning the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40, there has been one major criticism of Damian Priest's title reign: that he hasn't been able to defend his title without outside help.

Against Jey Uso, he had The Judgment Day ringside, and against Drew McIntyre, when he was all but pinned for the three-count, CM Punk intervened.

Priest's next match is against Seth Rollins at Money In the Bank. Should someone else once again interfere in that match, the legitimacy of his title reign may come into question.

With that in mind and desperate to prove he can do things on his own, Priest could challenge the next big superstar on RAW after Rollins and McIntyre: none other than Punk himself.

#1. The WWE Universe finally gets to see CM Punk take on Seth Rollins

CM Punk's return at Survivor Series 2023 was nothing short of impactful. Since then, the WWE Universe has been calling for one thing, and that is for him to take on Seth Rollins. It's no secret that the two hate each other, and Rollins was even seen livid after Punk made his return.

In the weeks that followed, rumors started swirling that WWE was planning a big match between the two at WrestleMania 40. Unfortunately, Punk's untimely injury scuppered those plans.

However, with his in-ring return fast approaching, WWE could finally give the fans what they want to see and have The Voice of the Voiceless go head-to-head with The Visionary.

Perhaps Punk could even interfere with Rollins' match against Damian Priest at Money In the Bank. Either way, it looks like Seth Rollins versus CM Punk will happen at some point in time. So, why not right now?