I agree with you guys they should of kept Punk off TV until the end of the of The Summer Slam PPV once the new WWE Champion is crowned. If I booked it I would of had Vince book a month long tourneyment to determine the new WWE Champ at summerslam. This would of given the WWE enough time to keep Punk off TV and then build interset in crowing a new champion. Cena could of been reistated and placed in a battle royal with mainly mid card heels which he would have to win to get the final tourney slot. By booking a tourney this gives them enough time to tell stories like Rey winning his first Raw Championship Title, R Truth being booked to his disadvantage, Cena's return and run to the title, Kingston run at his 1st WWE title and Del Rio reaching his destiny.
You would also be able to build feuds going forward from the outcomes. Maybe John Morrison comes back to help Eliminate R Truth from the tourney, Vickie Guerro helps Ziggler beat Bourne and then they fued for the US Title. Instead The E brings back both Cena, and replaces Vince then brings back Punk. No build up of what was about to be a great storyline and future fued.