CM Punk’s return to WWE is said to have a major effect on rights negotiations for Monday Night Raw.
WWE programming is set for major changes in 2024. Not only is SmackDown leaving FOX and returning to the USA Network, NXT will be leaving USA and finding a new home as part of the CW Network.
The media rights deal for Monday Night Raw is also expiring in 2024, and the red brand has yet to secure a new deal. TKO President Mark Shapiro addressed this rights deal recently, saying:
“We’re in conversations on Raw. Our deal with USA is not up until October of next year. We have time. We have time to be flexible, we have time to be creative. We have time to develop different solution models depending on what the player may be. We could go before the NBA if the price is right or after the NBA is somebody is left at the alter. Our job is to maximize the rights value of Raw.” (h/t Fightful)
According to a recent report from Dave Meltzer, CM Punk’s return to WWE has greatly affected media rights negotiations when it comes to the red brand. Meltzer wrote on social media:
“Things are changing greatly. Let’s just say things changed greatly with Raw negotiations from a few weeks ago. And Punk is a huge part of the selling point.”
Earlier this month, Meltzer reported that Warner Bros Discovery had turned down an offer from WWE President Nick Khan.
When Did CM Punk Sign With WWE Raw?
Survivor Series 2023 saw CM Punk make a shocking return to WWE for the first time since his acrimonious exit in 2014. Initially listed as a free agent, the star has appeared on both Raw and SmackDown following his return, and even made a surprise appearance at NXT Deadline on December 9th.
Punk’s first appearance on Raw on November 27th led to great ratings success, and despite initially being listed as a free agent, he’s officially signed to the red brand as he signed a contract on the December 11th episode before coming face to face with Seth Rollins in a heated confrontation.
In a new update, Dave Meltzer has clarified his social media post.