CM Punk was in the house for the June 21 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, taking place in the All-State arena in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois, with a sold out crowd at hand for an exciting show.
.@CMPunk is home and he’s kicking off #SmackDown tonight!🔥
#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/S6KqTpVFZ6— WWE (@WWE) June 22, 2024
The Best in the World came out to a thunderous ovation to his home crowd to reflect on the events of WWE Clash at the Castle where he cost his arch-rival, Drew McIntyre a chance of a lifetime in his own home country of Scotland.
Punk began by addressing some nostalgic moments and then shifted his focus to Drew McIntyre, who quit WWE this week on RAW following the embarrassment he suffered at the hands of The Second City Saint.
"Did I embarrass Chicago?"
We definitely see where you're going with this, @CMPunk… 😳#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/e6mY21YScJ
— WWE (@WWE) June 22, 2024
CM Punk was then interrupted by his former manager and long-time friend, Paul Heyman who embraced him as he entered the ring looking visibly emotional. Heyman informed him that Solo Sikoa was not pleased to hear Chicago being Punk’s town and warned him The Bloodline were coming out if Punk did not leave.
"If you don't get out of here right now, they're coming for you."
@HeymanHustle is begging @CMPunk to leave! 😬#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/cA2Fj2L7L1— WWE (@WWE) June 22, 2024
At that moment, The Bloodline did come with Solo giving him an ultimatum to show them respect or getting beaten at their hands. The ever defiant CM Punk refused to acknowledge them, however, he was backed up by the arrival of Cody Rhodes with a pair of baseball bats who threw out the challenge to settle things with Solo Sikoa to end the segment.