WWE Superstar CM Punk's return to the company in late 2023 generated significant excitement among fans.

After months of delivering promos in the center of the ring, he finally made his first televised in-ring performance at the 2024 Royal Rumble pay-per-view event on Saturday, January 27.

The 45-year-old wrestler took part in the 30-man Royal Rumble match, making his entrance as the 27th participant.

In a dramatic turn of events, he nearly secured victory, emerging as one of the final two participants who battled for the opportunity to headline WrestleMania 40, with Cody Rhodes as his opponent.

Rhodes eventually won the match, and Punk suffered a setback that could alter the course of WrestleMania 40.

CM Punk Injury

Amid the Royal Rumble match, Punk endured a Future Shock DDT from Drew McIntyre in the center of the ring. Following this move, he was observed clutching his right arm.

During the latest episode of Monday Night RAW on January 29, Punk officially confirmed that he had suffered a torn triceps.

"In the course of the Rumble, I tore my right tricep. As much as I tried and asked that maybe I could just tape it and go to Elimination Chamber and try to win that and get my main event at WrestleMania, it's just not in the cards," the fan favorite said.

Numerous speculations arose regarding Punk's injury, with many attributing it to McIntyre's maneuver. However, no blame was directed towards the Scottish wrestler, as such occurrences are part of the norm in the wrestling world, and Punk was perceived as simply unlucky.

How long does a torn triceps heal?

According to information from WWE sources, the prevailing belief is that after undergoing surgery, Punk would require approximately four to six months of recovery and physical therapy.

If he undergoes surgery within the next week, the best-case scenario suggests that he might not be able to return to the ring until this summer.

Will CM Punk be able to appear in WrestleMania 40?

Considering the timeline projected by the unnamed WWE sources, it appears unlikely that Punk would be able to participate in WrestleMania 40. The event is scheduled at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from April 6 to 7, 2024.

Punk further affirmed during the latest episode of RAW that he won't be able to compete in the biggest wrestling event of the year.

"WrestleMania 40? I guess it's not in the cards ladies and gentlemen. But I'm a Chicago Cubs fan, and this isn't the first time and it won't be the last time I say this: There's always next year," Punk said.

McIntyre interrupted Punk's speech, expressing that he had wished for this to happen before launching a brutal attack, including stomping on Punk's injured arm.

This sequence of events has sparked speculation among many that the injury might be part of a storyline, but it remains to be seen.