CM Punk stuns WWE fans with incredible body transformation as he makes title-winning return
CM Punk returned to WWE in stunning fashion on Monday night and fans were left stunned by his incredible body transformation.
The Second City Saint has been absent from WWE programming ever since losing his world heavyweight title to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42.
The length of Punk's absence stretched to two months and prompted concerns regarding his future with the company.
But Punk finally made his comeback in his hometown of Chicago, sending the Allstate Arena into pandemonium when he was announced as the surprise challenger for Sami Zayn's WWE undisputed championship defence.
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Zayn, who finally became WWE champion at Crown Jewel, was scheduled to face previous champion Cody Rhodes in a one-on-one match on Raw.
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But Rhodes was taking out by Gunther, the third man in the triple-threat match for the title at WWE's last premium live event.
After he was unable to be cleared, Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis made a phone call and ensured the main event still featured a WWE championship match.
Hometown hero Punk arrived to deafening cheers and beat Zayn to win his third WWE title.
But Punk's appearance for his triumphant return was the huge talking point, with fans in disbelief at his hulking physique and just how jacked he looks currently.
The veteran wrestler has never been a physical specimen but is now in the best shape of his career at 47 after putting in the work in gym.
One fan commented: "CM Punk did get absolutely jacked. His pec muscles now have muscles.
A second said: "He looks good! Good on him If ya a world champ, you gotta look the part."
A third stated: "This has to be AI no way."
A fourth praised Punk's look, writing: "Genuinely the best he's looked ever".
CM Punk set for huge SummerSlam match after surprise WWE return
Despite claims that there were some issues which led to Punk staying away from WWE following on from WrestleMania in Las Vegas, PW Insider reports that he was merely taking time off after an exhausting 169 day run as champion.
He is now back in the mix and set to lead the way on Smackdown, with it widely expected that he will square off against Cody Rhodes in a huge bout at SummerSlam in Minneapolis, Minnesota in the first month of August.
Punk and Rhodes teased a future show-down back in April around WrestleMania with back and forth promo battles and PW Insider says a match-up "has been discussed internally for many months".
In the verbal joust between the two on the Raw after WrestleMania, Punk dropped the biggest hunt when he looked at the title and told Rhodes, "You just gotta stay ready, because you never know when a championship opportunity is just gonna fall out of the sky".
Despite their deep history, the two have only ever faced off twice in singles competition. Both bouts took place 18 years ago and one win apiece means the score is nicely poised for the SummerSlam showdown.
Josh Lawless