New WWE Rumors on CM Punk Return, Randy Orton, Drew McIntyre, Jade Cargill, Charlotte and SummerSlam

Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.

CM Punk Could Return Soon

Amid recent speculation about CM Punk's status in WWE, the Best in the World is reportedly getting closer to returning from his hiatus.

Per WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select (h/t Subhojeet Mukherjee of Ringside News), signs point toward Punk returning on or before the July 6 episode of Raw that is scheduled to take place in Chicago, though that has not been confirmed at this point.

CM Punk has been off WWE television since the Raw after WrestleMania when he cut a promo that was interrupted by Cody Rhodes. The two engaged in a brief verbal battle that ended with Punk looking at the undisputed WWE title draped over Rhodes' shoulder and the two teasing a match down the line.

There had been speculation recently that Punk's absence was due to creative not having a direction for him after losing the world heavyweight title to Roman Reigns, though that has been debunked and his time off was planned.

A return on July 6 would make the most sense given that Raw is taking place in Punk's hometown of Chicago. The date also gives WWE plenty of time to set up his return feud leading into SummerSlam at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis from Aug. 1-2.

Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton Expected at SummerSlam

Speaking of superstars who have been gone since WrestleMania, Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton are also getting closer to returning.

In a separate report from WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select (h/t Mukherjee), an internal document from WWE that circulated recently listed both McIntyre and Orton in connection with SummerSlam.

McIntyre was written off television by losing to Jacob Fatu in an unsanctioned match on night one of WrestleMania 42 to film a role in the upcoming Highlander movie.

The Scottish Warrior actually started work on the project prior to WrestleMania, but the production was able to adjust the schedule so that he could remain on WWE television leading up to the biggest show of the year.

McIntyre reportedly wrapped his part on the film recently, so a return could come at any point.

Orton's last televised appearance was at WrestleMania when he lost to Rhodes in the main event of night one.

The Viper was reportedly dealing with a significant back injury leading up to the show and got time off to manage the situation, though he poked fun at his absence with an in-character post on X.

Orton's post suggests there could be more to come in his feud with Rhodes, though the fact he lost clean and then hit Pat McAfee with an RKO to end that partnership could indicate a different direction for him upon returning.

Whatever direction things go for both McIntyre and Orton, it will be a huge boost to the roster to get them back into the mix. SummerSlam feels like an appropriate time to feature their star power, especially since it is a two-night event.

WWE Discussing Charlotte Flair vs. Jade Cargill Match

Almost three years after the first tease of a Charlotte Flair vs. Jade Cargill match, WWE could finally deliver the bout on the biggest show of the summer.

Per WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select (h/t Mukherjee), WWE has held discussions about a potential Flair-Cargill matchup at SummerSlam.

The report notes WWE's creative team has been waiting for the right time to present the match, with SummerSlam viewed as a proper stage for the first showdown between two of the top stars in the women's division.

Cargill made her WWE appearance at Fastlane on Oct. 7, 2023, followed by her SmackDown debut six days later that featured a brief staredown with Flair.

Since that time, though, their paths have diverged. Cargill was featured in a singles program against Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania, with Mami regaining the WWE women's championship.

Flair has been partnered with Alexa Bliss for most of the past 12 months, but the Queen has recently had encounters with Cargill, B-Fab and Michin. She teamed with Tiffany Stratton on the June 5 episode of SmackDown to take on Cargill and Michin, with Cargill getting the win by pinning Stratton.

Now that Cargill has definitively lost her feud with Ripley after their rematch at Clash in Italy, shifting to another high-profile program with Flair would make sense for both women.

SummerSlam is an appropriate venue for a potential first encounter given that it is one of the marquee events on the WWE schedule, and Flair and Cargill are two of the foundation pieces in the women's division at this point.