The shadow of CM Punk and the rise of Joe Hendry

The post-WrestleMania season is usually a time for settling scores and establishing new hierarchies. But as we hit May 16, 2026, the WWE landscape is defined more by who is missing than who is present on the marquee.

CM Punk remains the gravitational center of WWE programming, even when he isn't in the building. Recent reports confirming his removal from several Raw dates and the upcoming European tour have sent ripples through the booking department. The official word is a 'schedule change,' but in the wrestling business, that is often shorthand for creative pivot or physical preservation.

While Punk steps back, Joe Hendry is stepping forward. Having officially joined the Raw brand as a full-time performer, Hendry has wasted no time in identifying his primary target. He wants the Best in the World. It is a bold move for a man who, until recently, was seen as a TNA crossover curiosity rather than a focal point of the flagship show.

Tactical breakdown of a potential clash

A match between Joe Hendry and CM Punk is a study in contrasting psychological approaches. Punk is a technician of pacing, a man who treats every transition as a chance to tell a story of attrition. Hendry, by contrast, operates through the lens of viral momentum and crowd manipulation. He doesn't just wrestle a match; he manages an atmosphere.

Hendry's work on the microphone has always been his primary weapon, but his in-ring identity is surprisingly sturdy. He relies on a power-based foundation that would force Punk to play the underdog—a role Punk has perfected over two decades. As WrestlingNews.co reported, Hendry has made his intentions clear: "I really want to wrestle CM Punk."

The risk for Hendry is becoming a 'meme wrestler' who cannot transition into the gritty reality of a main-event feud. Punk has a history of deconstructing opponents who rely too heavily on gimmicks. If this match happens, Hendry cannot rely on his song; he will have to survive the 20-minute deep water that Punk forces everyone to swim in.

The Trick Williams problem on SmackDown

While Raw grapples with Punk's absence, Friday Night SmackDown is leaning heavily on Trick Williams. As the current United States Champion, Williams has become the workhorse of the mid-card. His popularity is undeniable, but the tactical execution of his title reign is starting to show some structural fatigue.

Williams is at his best when he is chasing, not when he is defending. His matches lately have followed a repetitive formula: a slow heat segment followed by a high-energy comeback fueled by crowd chants. As noted by WrestleTalk, he has proven himself as a prominent star, but the lack of a truly dangerous heel opponent is stalling his development.

There is a danger of over-exposing Williams before he is ready for the world title picture. The US Title should be a platform for diverse technical challenges, yet his matches are becoming predictable. He needs a veteran like AJ Styles or Kevin Owens to drag him out of his comfort zone and force him to show a more ruthless tactical edge.

The John Cena Classic and the mid-card vacuum

The upcoming John Cena Classic is another variable adding complexity to the summer schedule. Blake Monroe, one of the most intriguing prospects in the system, has already expressed interest in the tournament. According to F4WOnline, Monroe is looking at the tournament as his ticket to the main roster elite.

The concept of a 'John Cena Classic' is a brilliant piece of branding, but it highlights a critical flaw in the current roster structure. WWE is increasingly reliant on legacy-linked tournaments and legends' schedules to drive interest. This creates a stop-start rhythm for younger talent who find their momentum halted whenever a 'schedule change' occurs for a top-tier star.

Monroe is the type of athlete who thrives in a structured tournament setting. He has a background that allows for explosive bursts of offense, but he often struggles with the connective tissue between big moves. A tournament allows him to hide those flaws behind high-stakes finishes, but it doesn't solve the long-term need for consistent character work.

Critical Observation: The fragility of the New Era

For all the talk of a 'New Era' in WWE, the product is currently walking a tightrope. The reliance on Joe Hendry as a primary protagonist on Raw feels like a reactive move to fill the void left by CM Punk. Hendry is talented, but he is being asked to carry segments that were clearly designed for a different level of star power.

The removal of CM Punk from the European tour is a massive blow to the international fans who paid premium prices. Calling it a 'schedule change' without further explanation is a return to the opaque communication style of the previous regime. Fans deserve to know if they are watching a placeholder champion or a genuine long-term plan.

The creative team is currently juggling three or four 'viral' moments at the expense of coherent, long-form storytelling. Between Hendry's songs and Trick Williams' catchphrases, the actual wrestling is occasionally being relegated to a secondary concern. The bell-to-bell quality on Raw has dipped since the post-WrestleMania high, and it shows in the dragging middle hour of the show.

What to watch for at AEW Double or Nothing

With WWE in a state of flux, all eyes turn to AEW Double or Nothing on May 24. While the two companies operate in different spheres, the tactical shifts in WWE often influence how AEW positions its counter-programming. AEW typically leans into the 'pure wrestling' aesthetic when WWE goes heavy on character-based entertainment.

If WWE continues to struggle with its main event availability, AEW has a massive opportunity to reclaim the 'hardcore' audience. The contrast between a Joe Hendry segment and a high-stakes AEW title match is the sharpest it has been in years. Fans who are frustrated by Punk's disappearing act will likely find solace in the more consistent, if often more chaotic, AEW schedule.

The next ten days will be decisive. If Hendry can prove he belongs in the ring with the upper echelon of Raw, the Punk absence might actually be a blessing in disguise. If he fails, the summer of 2026 could be a very long, very dry period for the red brand.

Final Prediction

Joe Hendry will continue to bait CM Punk until the June return dates. I expect Punk to finally respond with a pre-taped segment that dismantles Hendry's 'silly' persona, setting up a clash for SummerSlam. While the fans want the match now, WWE will hold it back to ensure Punk is 100% healthy for the big stadium show in August.

As for Trick Williams, expect a surprise challenger to emerge on SmackDown this Friday. He needs a loss—not necessarily a title change, but a tactical defeat that exposes his weaknesses—to make his eventual redemption feel earned. Being a popular champion is easy; being an interesting one is much harder.