Major update on CM Punk's WWE in-ring return - Reports

CM Punk's shocking WWE comeback kicked off eleven months and nineteen days ago. The return was marred by a lengthy injury hiatus, but Punk still has a win-loss record of 4-1 plus the Royal Rumble for this stretch. Now back on the shelf amid rumors and speculation on his WWE future, sources have just revealed big updates on Punk's return to in-ring action.

The Second City Saint ended his 10-month trilogy feud against Drew McIntyre at WWE Bad Blood in October, breaking the 1-1 tie inside Hell in a Cell. McIntyre won their first match at SummerSlam, with Seth Rollins as the guest referee, but Punk won a Strap Match in late August at Bash in Berlin, then Hell in a Cell. He seemingly said goodbye the following night on RAW, leaving his WWE future up in the air.

Madison Square Garden announced this week that Punk will join the annual holiday tour of non-televised WWE live events on Thursday, December 26, during the show held that night in New York City. No opponent was announced, and the graphic includes Punk wearing his customary logo t-shirt.

Sportskeeda Wrestling's own Dr. Chris Featherstone reported that Punk is currently scheduled to wrestle during the annual post-Christmas live event tour, which begins on Thursday, December 26 with a show at The World's Most Famous Arena in NYC, and a show at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville. The Chicagoan is reportedly confirmed to appear at MSG.

Punk has also been announced for the live event on Sunday, December 29 at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, but no opponent was named. It's still not clear if Punk might work Pittsburgh or the Tampa SmackDown on December 27, Orlando or Baltimore on December 28, and Detroit or the Houston RAW on December 30 to wrap the tour.

Officials have also discussed Punk for the upcoming Saturday Night's Main Event card, according to Featherstone. The feeling is that the former AEW World Champion would be a major draw for the return of SNME.

World Wrestling Entertainment will tape Saturday Night's Main Event XXXVII on Saturday, December 14 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island, NY. The two-hour simulcast will air on NBC and stream on Peacock that same night. This will mark the first SNME special since 2008, and it will be held at the same location the inaugural event was held thirty-seven years ago.

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Major names set for WWE SNME special

WWE will return to the legendary Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island, NY on Saturday, December 14. The 37th Saturday Night's Main Event special will air live at 8pm ET as a two-hour simulcast on NBC and Peacock.

WWE has not confirmed any names for SNME, but several superstars have been advertised to appear. Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Liv Morgan, and Bianca Belair, are front-and-center on SNME promotional material.

The upcoming SNME event is the first primetime special that will air quarterly on NBC and Peacock as a part of World Wrestling Entertainment's new five-year rights deal with NBC Universal. The deal included SmackDown returning to USA Network from FOX back in October.