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With the Draft 2024 reaching an end, WWE started inching toward a brand new session post the Backlash. Given the roster has majorly been shaken up with multiple additions and omissions between both the brands, the respective graphics also deserve to be changed, featuring the most bankable stars of each house. While processing this much-necessary update, WWE removed the former Raw bigwig Cody Rhodes from the center space to vacate the place for the Seventh City Saint to shine on.

With this odd yet forthright step, fans could finally get rid of the cliche of the American Nightmare being a regular Monday Night Raw draw.

WWE Raw banner shake-up: CM Punk occupies Cody Rhodes’ spot

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Despite not being officially a part of the draft, The American Nightmare automatically transitioned to SmackDown the moment he claimed the WWE Undisputed Universal Champion at WrestleMania Night 2. And now, surpassing all the polarizing reactions from fans and unbridled criticism of a lackluster start, the 38-year-old seems to be leisure-focused on his first title defense on Backslash tonight. By the time WWE is done, removing the last trace of Rhodes’ supremacy from the red brand. As the new official Raw banner was unveiled, fans spotted CM Punk as the star turned up in the place of Rhodes.

Rhea Ripley and Seth Rollins have also been usurped in the poster.

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Other than Punk, the new banner features Gunther, Becky Lynch, Damian Priest, Liv Morgan, and Sami Zayn.

The sight of the new banner, however, might not be soothing to Rhodes as he still has some disquiet over his recent WWE Draft booking.

Cody Rhodes seems to be resentful over his latest brand allocation

Although the former AEW star is a rational futuristic who doesn’t like to whine about the past, Rhodes possessed some strong connections with Monday Night Raw and wasn’t even ready to let go of it.

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While discussing his upcoming agenda in the promotion during a media call, The American Nightmare took a sudden dig into the Hunter regarding his Draft booking.

”You know my Raw exit kind of happened quicker than perhaps I was ready for it to happen and maybe that’s the best. The draft is what it is, the rules are set. I am a SmackDown guy but the idea, he actually hilariously opened the door to his room as I was answering the question.” Rhodes noted.

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It will be good to see Rhodes to be back on his favorite brand sometime in the future. However, for now, he’s reserved for the blue brand even if he loses the belt going forward.

What’s your take on Cody Rhodes being replaced by CM Punk in the new WWE Raw official banner? Sound off in the comments.

Written by

Shreya Nag

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Shreya Nag is a WWE writer at EssentiallySports. As a journalism major, Shreya has worked as both a writer and a news moderator. With over a thousand articles to her name at ES, she has developed a strong hand for the art of wrestling journalism.
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Edited by

Arijit Saha