Major Botch in CM Punk’s Raw Draft Announcement Spotted, USA Network Issues Response

106 Superstars were again separated between Raw and SmackDown, including multiple names hailing from NXT during the WWE Draft. Among some notable draft picks, a major name that found his home was that of CM Punk. And like every drafted superstar, he too had his name card and information displayed on-screen. But what some might have failed to notice is that it carried a major factual error.

Punk’s return to WWE has been soured a little due to his injury after the Royal Rumble, but the former WWE Champion has stayed active with backstage and commentary roles. He was in the news during the WWE Draft week as well and gave fans an update on his return.

WWE forgets to fact-check CM Punk’s info

Triple H had made it clear that it was important to retain talent on your roster during the draft. Punk has largely remained on RAW after his surreal return last year and the brand made sure to retain the ‘Second City Saint’ as the first pick during the second round of the draft on Monday.

As soon as RAW announced that they were choosing CM Punk, the crowd erupted in cheers and a graphic with his photo and information appeared on the screen, with some interesting facts for the viewers around the former WWE Champion.

The graphic displayed that he returned to the company after 10 years at Survivor Series and is currently injured and recovering from a torn tricep injury sustained at the Royal Rumble. However, it was a third pointer where a botch was observed.

The graphic listed CM Punk as a Grand Slam Champion. But the problem is, he is not a Grand Slam Champion. To be a Grand Slam champion, you need to win the World Championship, the Intercontinental Championship, the United States Championship, and the Tag Team Championship. The Chicago native has won it all except for the US title. As this error was pointed out on social media, the USA Network, home of Monday Night RAW, posted a clever response in return. They wrote, “Just willing it into existence.”

Punk is a 5-time WWE World Champion, and a former Intercontinental and Tag Team champion, but never won the United States championship. During his earlier stint in WWE, Punk shot to the main event rapidly winning the Money in the Bank briefcase and then the World Heavyweight Championship. The Straight Edge star remained in the upper mid-card and then transitioned to the main event where he remained until 2014, when he walked out of WWE.

So an opportunity for the U.S. title bypassed him, but will it be possible for him to win the title on his second run with the company? A run for the U.S. title may seem like a step down for Punk, but one can always point to the example of how John Cena elevated the championship to new standards when he won it in 2015. Maybe Punk can follow that route to become the Grand Slam Champion eventually.

But for now, he remains on the sidelines, though he did provide a somewhat positive update about his injury on SmackDown during the first night of the draft.

Punk hoping to be back “soon”

CM Punk’s seismic return to WWE at Survivor Series: War Games last year sent shockwaves across the pro wrestling world. Later, he competed in the Royal Rumble and was eliminated by Cody Rhodes at the very end. Still, he was on course for a World title match against Seth Rollins at WrestleMania XL. However, a tricep injury following Rumble meant he missed the match card in Philadelphia.

He has kept himself busy with the highlight coming at WrestleMania after he cost Drew McIntyre his newly-won world championship. Fans have been eagerly awaiting his return so that he can finally get to feud with McIntyre, who signed a new contract a few days back, and other big names. Waiting for an update, on SmackDown, Punk provided fans with a positive update about his recovery.

During a post-SmackDown promo, Punk thanked the Cincinnati crow and said, “I wanna give a little update. My tricep is not a 100% yet, but I am on track and I promise soon I will be back and competing with all the big tough bad a**es backstage.” 

Well, fans will await his return to the ring and who knows a possible U.S. title run may be on the cards to manifest the botch on RAW into reality.