Update on Plans for CM Punk Going Forward; Will He Still Be on Raw?

Questions have arisen about WWE Champion CM Punk's short-term future in WWE following his most recent knee surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus.

In an open letter posted on the company's official site, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon addressed the injury, noting it meant Punk would have to removed from the next Sunday's TLC pay-per-view. (Punk had been due to face monster babyface Ryback on the card in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs for the title, which would likely be the culmination of their three-month grudge feud.)

Vince went on to note Ryback would instead partner with Team Hell No (Daniel Bryan and Kane) to take on The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns) on the show in what will also be a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match. Vince then promised that Ryback would get his title match somewhere down the road. 

So, Punk is officially out of the pay-per-view, but will he still being appearing on television or will be at home healing?   

Well, at today's daily update on F4Wonline.com, Dave Meltzer explains how the company intends to use the WWE Champion going forward, noting he is still expected to be regular on television, even if he's not wrestling.

Meltzer writes:

"

C.M. Punk is scheduled for Raw on Monday, and for each week going forward, although he won't be wrestling for a few weeks.

"

For the current Shield storyline, which has dominated Raw in recent times, this is good news.

Indeed, the entire angle hinges on the nature of the CM Punk/Shield relationship, and Punk disappearing for a month or so would probably mess the whole thing up. At least with him appearing on television, even if it is just cutting promos with Paul Heyman by his side, the angle can continue to develop at its normal pace.