CM Punk’s voice once echoed through arenas as the CM Punk “Voice of the Voiceless,” calling out the authority when few dared. He was the beacon of rebellion for wrestling fans in the 2010s, becoming the primary reason many returned to watch professional wrestling after becoming disillusioned. Crowds would fill arenas and chant his name, even years after he walked away from WWE in 2014. Rumors of his return never stopped swirling, month after month, with fans holding onto the hope that he might someday grace the ring again. That hope seemed destined to fade with time, but the impossible happened when he returned to the wrestling world in a grand fashion—though not to WWE. Instead, he made his comeback on August 20, 2021, on AEW Rampage.
That night, Chicago roared before the show even started, chanting for their hometown hero they had missed for so many years. When his entrance music finally blasted through the speakers, the crowd’s reaction nearly blew the roof off the building. Grown men were seen on camera shedding tears, overwhelmed by the return of the man they grew up idolizing. In that moment, it felt like a fairytale was about to begin, ushering in the second chapter of CM Punk’s wrestling career. The emotional atmosphere in the arena captured everything Punk once represented: rebellion, authenticity, and a spirit that connected with fans on a deeply personal level.
Sadly, the subsequent chapters of his time in AEW did not match the magic of his debut. Though he delivered superb performances against seasoned opponents such as Eddie Kingston, Jon Moxley, and Samoa Joe, and tested his mettle against rising stars like Darby Allin, MJF, and Hangman Adam Page, his AEW run became overshadowed by injuries, short-lived title reigns, and backstage dramas.
Controversies, including high-profile conflicts with The Elite and a public falling out with Jack Perry, diverted attention from the brilliant wrestling he was still capable of producing. His abrupt exit from AEW left many people bewildered and disappointed, especially after the initial surge of excitement surrounding his return. Fans who believed they had witnessed a dream come true were once again left wondering if he might find his way back “home” to WWE.
Such hopes took root when WWE underwent a major creative shift. Triple H began steering the ship, demonstrating his ability to keep personal and professional matters apart. On November 25, 2023, at Survivor Series in Chicago, those hopes were realized when Punk made his long-anticipated return to the company he once helped energize. As he walked out, the crowd erupted with a thunderous ovation, confirming that “The Best in the World” was back in the place where he first made his legend. Still, questions lingered: Could Punk deliver in WWE’s modern era, filled with world-class athletes operating at their peak? Would his signature mic skills remain as sharp as ever? And perhaps most significantly, could he avoid the drama that had followed him out of AEW?
On the evening of his comeback, the tension was palpable. Seth Rollins, who reigned as World Heavyweight Champion, was visibly infuriated by Punk’s return. Their well-documented real-life differences bled into the on-screen narrative, fueling a volatile atmosphere. Not long after Punk officially signed with Raw, he and Rollins had a heated confrontation that set the stage for a possible WrestleMania 40 showdown. The hype for that clash only grew when Punk faced Cody Rhodes in a memorable promo battle on the final Raw before the 2024 Royal Rumble, an exchange that showcased Punk’s enduring skill on the mic. During the Royal Rumble match itself, Punk and Cody were the last two competitors. Punk’s fans held their breath, but he fell just short when Cody eliminated him to secure his WrestleMania main-event spot.
Unfortunately, the bad news for Punk’s supporters did not stop there. On the Raw episode following the Rumble, Punk delivered a heartbreaking announcement: he had torn his triceps, ruling him out of WrestleMania in 2024. His dream of headlining the biggest event in wrestling was crushed yet again. Drew McIntyre then stepped forward, taking responsibility for Punk’s injury by claiming his move had caused the tear. To rub salt in the wound, Drew viciously attacked Punk, sparking a feud that many regarded as the year’s most compelling storyline. With Punk unable to wrestle because of his injury, their rivalry had to rely on verbal battles, sneak attacks, and other indirect means of storytelling, yet it remained riveting throughout the year.
Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins found themselves entangled in an even broader feud involving The Rock and Roman Reigns, creating a labyrinth of matches and alliances. Riding a wave of momentum, McIntyre prevailed in the Elimination Chamber to become the number-one contender for Rollins’s World Heavyweight Championship. Scheduled as a two-night affair, WrestleMania 40 saw Rollins compete on Night 1, leaving him exhausted for his title defense on Night 2. Drew seized the opportunity to beat a weakened Rollins, finally claiming a WrestleMania moment that had long eluded him. Elation overtook McIntyre, but in his adrenaline-fueled celebration, he made a crucial error.
He taunted Punk, who was serving as a guest commentator. Punk retaliated by assaulting him at ringside, providing the perfect distraction for Damian Priest to sprint down with his briefcase. Priest quickly pinned McIntyre, swiping the championship in a stunning turn of events.
Still rehabbing his torn triceps, Punk could not fully confront Drew in the ring, but WWE’s creative team kept the feud alive through a series of brilliantly orchestrated backstage segments and near-misses in 2024. Punk made a point of sabotaging McIntyre at every turn, preventing him from winning crucial matches, scuttling a title shot at Cash at the Castle, and even ruining McIntyre’s attempt to cash in his own Money in the Bank contract. Month after month, the rivalry intensified, bringing out a more merciless side in McIntyre and showcasing Punk’s cunning. When SummerSlam 2024 arrived, Punk was at last healthy enough to wrestle, but Drew emerged victorious thanks to controversial officiating by special guest referee Seth Rollins. A second match at Bash in Berlin came in the form of a Strap Match, where Punk pulled out a hard-fought victory, tying their series at one win each. With neither man willing to concede superiority, the stage was set for a Hell in a Cell clash at Bad Blood, where both men collided in a blood-soaked war of attrition.
In the end, Punk emerged victorious, proving he still had the ability to tell a gripping in-ring story while laying it all on the line physically. Many hailed it as 2024’s finest WWE match, and it’s a major highlight of Punk’s great year in 2024.
Following that grueling contest, Punk vanished from television for a few weeks. When he resurfaced, it was on SmackDown, flanked by Paul Heyman. He was announced as the fifth member of the Original Bloodline for the 2024 Survivor Series, stepping into a high-stakes contest against the New Bloodline. From the moment he joined, tension simmered between Punk and Roman Reigns. Alpha personalities rarely mesh, and the storyline hinted at an undercurrent of loyalty that Punk felt toward Heyman, one of his longtime friends and mentors.
Despite friction, Punk and Roman worked surprisingly well together when the bell rang, leading the Original Bloodline to victory. Nevertheless, the mysterious “favor” Punk owed Heyman was never disclosed, leaving fans speculating about future revelations.
Subsequently, Punk returned to Raw to pick up where he left off with Seth Rollins. Their animosity, rooted in backstage truths and on-screen drama, reignited instantly. WWE capitalized on this tension, scripting brawls and promos loaded with personal jabs that electrified fans. A marquee match was set for January 6 at the Raw premiere episode on Netflix, promising to expose a brand-new audience to the riveting Punk–Rollins saga. Excitement skyrocketed as the date drew closer, further proving Punk’s enduring star power.
At this juncture, CM Punk’s second WWE run has been anything but dull, especially in 2024, which has been a great year for him. His iconic presence injects a sense of unpredictability into every show he appears on. Management, once wary of the controversies trailing him from AEW, now seems fully on board, gratified by his backstage conduct and willingness to help less-experienced wrestlers. He has visited NXT multiple times, offering counsel to the stars of tomorrow, marking a stark contrast to the rumors of discord that followed him out of AEW. If anything, these actions suggest that Punk has found a healthier way to channel his passion, focusing on telling deeply engaging stories and delivering high-caliber matches.
One quality that sets Punk apart is his capacity to resonate with audiences in multiple formats—whether cutting scathing promos, starring in tense backstage vignettes, or battling in the ring. His mic skills remained as piercing as ever in 2024, allowing him to stand toe-to-toe with acclaimed talkers like Cody Rhodes. Creative freedom under Triple H has enabled Punk to weave feuds that are both personal and professional, adding a refreshing layer to WWE’s storytelling. If he continues along this path, he might finally capture his long-elusive WrestleMania main-event spot. The new leadership appears open to exploring once-taboo angles, pushing boundaries that used to feel immovable.
At the same time, WWE’s current roster poses stiff challenges. Veterans like Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins are firmly entrenched at the top, while Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre have proven their mettle in main-event scenarios. Further down the card, younger talents are eager to steal the show and ascend the ranks. Punk must remain on top of his game, yet he has shown that, even after all these years, he can still hold his own against the best in the business. Any potential WrestleMania showdown, whether against an old rival or a fresh face, would likely ignite a surge in fan engagement.
Skeptics wonder if the drama that dogged him in AEW could rear its head again, but Punk thus far has managed to keep any controversies at bay during his great year in 2024. His actions in NXT, mentoring up-and-coming performers, highlight his willingness to invest in the company’s future and prove his detractors wrong. Rather than seeking conflict, he appears dedicated to producing memorable television. This shift could be part of a larger plan to solidify his legacy as a performer who evolved, choosing to emphasize greatness in the ring and on the mic over personal grudges.
His popularity remains evident whenever he steps into an arena even in 2024. Fans still chant his name with the same fervor that once accompanied his legendary “pipe bombs” and his rebellious antics against corporate powers. That resonance with the audience never truly died; it was merely latent, waiting for the right opening to resurface. Seeing him mix it up with fresh talent, as well as long-standing foes, underscores the cyclical nature of wrestling: new alliances, new betrayals, and the promise that the next monumental moment lies just around the corner.
While the question of a WrestleMania main event persists, every sign points to the possibility that Punk could realize this dream before long. Whether it involves competing for a major championship or revisiting a grudge match, fans would welcome him in any marquee role. The memory of his torn triceps remains a testament to his challenges but also underscores his tenacity. If he can overcome severe injuries and return with the same level of commitment, perhaps it’s only a matter of time before he finally headlines the biggest stage.
Punk’s partnership with Roman Reigns at Survivor Series 2024, successful though it was, may pave the way for future hostilities. The seeds of tension were visible, and both men are known for their unwavering sense of pride. Should the creative team explore that angle, it could produce one of the most significant rivalries of the coming year.
Likewise, his friction with Seth Rollins can ignite at any moment, given their visceral dislike both on and off camera. These interwoven threads form a tapestry of potential storytelling that could shape the direction of WWE throughout the upcoming seasons.
After a year of watching Punk reclaim his footing in WWE, it is clear that he never lost his love for the industry. It might have been cloaked in frustration, disappointment, or bitterness, but it was always there. Under Triple H’s guidance, Punk has emerged as a more measured, calculating performer who continues to bring a rebellious edge without jeopardizing the locker room’s harmony. This evolution benefits fans and the promotion alike, underscoring a fundamental truth: wrestling thrives when talented performers pour their hearts into crafting memorable feuds and jaw-dropping matches.
Looking forward, the horizon for CM Punk glows with potential. He has silenced naysayers who doubted he could ever reintegrate into WWE. He has rekindled the fandom of those who once felt alienated by his sudden departure years ago. With each entrance, the crowd’s energy spikes, confirming that his star power is as strong as ever. Whether he adds more championships to his accolades, shares the ring with rising talents, or forms surprising alliances, fans will eagerly watch his every step. His ultimate goal of headlining WrestleMania lingers like a beacon, and if recent history has taught us anything, it is that CM Punk has a knack for defying expectations. Perhaps in the not-too-distant future, we will see him raise a title high above his head in the final match of the Show of Shows, fulfilling the destiny he once thought was beyond his grasp.
