CM Punk didn’t waste much time stirring the pot after arriving on SmackDown as Undisputed WWE Champion. During the July 10 episode, the newly crowned champion had a blunt message for Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae, urging the longtime duo to move on from their recent backstage storyline and get back inside the ring.
While the exchange was brief, Punk’s comments may have hinted at a major change for two of SmackDown’s most accomplished in-ring performers.
CM Punk tells Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae to return to wrestling on SmackDown
The confrontation unfolded during a backstage interview with Cathy Kelley. Punk was discussing the growing list of potential challengers when Candice LeRae interrupted, pushing a visibly dejected Johnny Gargano, who remained slumped on a road case.
LeRae criticized Punk for defeating Sami Zayn to win the Undisputed WWE Championship, arguing that Zayn had been the only person who refused to give up on Gargano throughout his recent emotional struggles. According to LeRae, Sami’s brief title reign represented “hope for the real underdogs.”
Punk quickly dismissed the point.
“They only had hope for a whole nine days,” he fired back before turning his attention to Gargano.
“I hope you can hear me, Johnny Wrestling, because that’s who I remember. Not whatever this is.”
The champion then delivered his strongest message to the real-life couple.
“Just stop. Whatever you are doing. Get back in the ring, get back to doing what you two do best. Because whatever this is, it’s not working.”
The promo ended with Finn Bálor walking into the scene to welcome Punk to the SmackDown brand, but Punk’s comments lingered long after the segment ended.
Before their current backstage storyline, Gargano and LeRae built their reputations through standout performances in WWE NXT and across the independent circuit, including several mixed tag team matches. Punk’s remarks may have planted the seeds for a return to that identity. After all, “Johnny Wrestling” is a nickname earned between the ropes, not on a road case.
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