CM Punk welcomed back Kairi Sane back to WWE on his Instagram story following her much-anticipated return on the May 19, 2025 episode of Monday Night RAW. The former WWE Champion posted a selfie with “The Pirate Princess” captioning “Welcome back @official_kairi!!!” This heartwarming gesture came after Sane competed in her first match in nearly six months, since December 2024.
Kairi Sane Returns After Six-Month Absence
Sane’s appearance on RAW marked her first in-ring match in over six months. The Japanese superstar was ruled out the WWE programming since December 2024 due to a torn ligament in her thumb requiring surgery.
There have been rumours and anticipations regarding her return, with WWE teasing her presence in Greenville ahead of RAW. The crowd erupted on Sane’s return, welcoming their favourite wrestler.
Woah! 😳@KAIRI_official is here in Greenville ahead of #WWERaw! 👀 pic.twitter.com/hQZYA6wFn2
— WWE (@WWE) May 19, 2025
The former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion wasted no time getting back into action, as she was immediately placed in a high-stakes Triple Threat Money in the Bank qualifying match against Rhea Ripley and Zoey Stark. Despite putting up a great show, Sane ultimately came up short when Ripley delivered her Riptide finisher for the win.
The match was essentially a one-on-one contest for most of its duration after Stark suffered a knee injury early on and was carried backstage by medical personnel.
CM Punk Shows Support for Kairi Sane After Her WWE Return
CM Punk’s Instagram story featuring himself with Sane demonstrates the respect he has for his returning colleague. In the image Sane can be seen standing on the ring apron behind Punk, clearly excited to be back in action.
The gesture from CM Punk is particularly meaningful given his journey back to WWE. As a veteran of the industry, his acknowledgment of Sane’s return highlights the connections among performers despite the competitive nature of their on-screen personas.
Though Sane didn’t win the qualifier and secure a spot in the Money in the Bank ladder match, her return adds depth to the RAW roster and potentially strengthens the Damage CTRL faction. With IYO SKY currently holding the Women’s World Championship, Sane’s presence strengthens their faction in the women’s division.
WELCOME BACK KAIRI SANE!
Can she beat Rhea Ripley and Zoey Stark to qualify for the Women’s #MITB Ladder Match TONIGHT? 🪜#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/FM3RItD7H0
— WWE (@WWE) May 20, 2025
WWE fans were clearly excited to see the return of the “Pirate Princess,” which received a positive reaction during her comeback. With her wrestling skills and high-flying ability still in good form, Sane’s presence promises to inject fresh energy into the women’s division as WWE heads toward their premium live events.
As CM Punk’s social media story suggests, Sane’s return is a welcome development for both fans and fellow wrestlers alike, potentially setting the stage for interesting storylines in the coming weeks.