At Survivor Collection 2023, the unthinkable occurred as CM Punk made his big return to WWE, kickstarting his second run with the corporate after almost a decade away. A protracted-term harm hindered Punk’s first 12 months again, however since his return has been mixing it up within the ring with a lot of WWE’s greatest stars.
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He has competed in quite a lot of matches up to now, however it’s protected to say he’s undergone extra of a “part-time” schedule between the ropes than most. TheSportster’s score system will check out CM Punk’s WWE run up to now, figuring out his greatest match, his worst, and every thing in between. These rankings shall be in comparison with these from Cagematch.Web and Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer E-newsletter.
9
Males’s Royal Rumble Match (WWE Royal Rumble 2024)
Total Ranking From TheSportster: 6.5/10
Storytelling
1.5/2.5
Technical Capability
2/2.5
Character Work/Psychology
1.5/2.5
Crowd Response
1.5/2.5
Dave Meltzer Ranking: 4.25 Stars
Cagematch.internet Ranking: 5.83
CM Punk’s first televised match again in a WWE ring got here on the 2024 Royal Rumble occasion, competing within the males’s match and searching for a path to WrestleMania. The match itself was advantageous, with some memorable moments and strong wrestling all all through. The likes of Bron Breakker shone, and there have been some sturdy again and forths between CM Punk and Cody Rhodes within the closing stretch.
The match lacked some vitality and the followers weren’t overly invested within the bout at some factors as a result of poor entrance music and a few slower moments, however issues grew in direction of the top. By way of storytelling, there wasn’t an entire lot to shout about, but it surely was nonetheless enjoyable for what it was.
8
CM Punk Vs. Seth Rollins (WWE RAW Netflix Premiere)
Total Ranking From TheSportster: 7.25/10
Storytelling
1.5/2.5
Technical Capability
2/2.5
Chatracter Work/Psychology
1.75/2.5
Crowd Response
2/2.5
Dave Meltzer Ranking: 4.25 Stars
Cagematch.internet Ranking: 7.37
CM Punk and Seth Rollins clashed on RAW’s Netflix premiere, however in fact their match lacked the specified depth that many thought it will have entering into. It was nonetheless a really serviceable and well-wrestled match, however there was a spark lacking to take it up a notch.
Their character work impressed and the viewers step by step obtained louder because it went on, however there was not as a lot storytelling as followers would have hoped, nor have been there wild near-falls or memorable spots. This very a lot felt like they have been constructing to one thing higher down the road.
7
CM Punk Vs. Drew McIntyre (WWE SummerSlam 2024)
Total Ranking From TheSportster: 8/10
Storytelling
1.5/2.5
Technical Capability
1.75/2.5
Character Work/Psychology
2.25/2.5
Crowd Response
2.25/2.5
Dave Meltzer Ranking: 3 Stars
Cagematch.internet Ranking: 6.78
CM Punk and Drew McIntyre lastly met within the ring after months of feuding at SummerSlam 2024 in a match that did function a number of sturdy character work from each, which was actually the driving pressure of this match. Some followers weren’t too enthralled with the bracelet saga, however they nonetheless managed to take advantage of a foolish facet, telling a very good story amidst some strong in-ring work.
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AEW Grand Slam: Australia might not have been a PPV, however was nonetheless an ideal evening of wrestling that includes Adam Copeland, Jon Moxley, Toni Storm and extra.
The viewers have been invested in what they have been doing, and this was a much better match than many have given it credit score for. Seth Rollins’ involvement as referee did admittedly distract a little bit an excessive amount of at instances from the story between Punk & McIntyre.
6
CM Punk Vs. John Cena Vs. Seth Rollins Vs. Drew McIntyre Vs. Logan Paul Vs. Damian Priest (WWE Elimination Chamber 2025)
Total Ranking From TheSportster: 8/10
Storytelling
1.75/2.5
Technical Capability
2/2.5
Character Work/Psychology
2.25/2.5
Crowd Response
2/2.5
Dave Meltzer Ranking: 4.75 Stars
Cagematch.internet Ranking: 8.36
This wasn’t probably the most brutal or devastating Elimination Chamber match in historical past, however a robust crowd and a number of other memorable moments helped to make the lads’s match in 2025 a very good matchup. The interactions between CM Punk and John Cena have been sensible, the storyline threads involving Punk and Seth Rollins helped so as to add a number of depth to the bout, and there was sufficient to drive it ahead by way of character performances too.
The post-match heel flip was after all a significant speaking level, however it’s unfair together with that totally within the context of the match itself, except for the end the place Cena took an inexpensive street to a victory.
5
CM Punk Vs. Drew McIntyre (WWE Bash In Berlin 2024)
Total Ranking From TheSportster: 8.25/10
Storytelling
2/2.5
Technical Capability
2/2.5
Character Work/Psychology
2/2.5
Crowd Response
2.25/2.5
Dave Meltzer Ranking: 4.5 Stars
Cagematch.internet Ranking: 7.60
CM Punk and Drew McIntyre added loads of intense motion into this matchup, showcasing good aggression and clear hatred of each other, making certain their storyline ticked on in an entertaining method.
Nevertheless, the 4 corners stipulation was an entire mess, and contemplating this was a Strap Match, the strap itself wasn’t as massive an element because it ought to have been. Each males did a robust job to take advantage of out of a poor gimmick, persevering with their storyline in a powerful method.
4
Males’s Royal Rumble Match (WWE Royal Rumble 2025)
Total Ranking From TheSportster: 8.25/10
Storytelling
2/2.5
Technical Capability
2/2.5
Charactr Work/Psychology
2/2.5
Crowd Response
2.25/2.5
Dave Meltzer Ranking: 4.5 Stars
Cagematch.internet Ranking: 6.05
The 2025 males’s Royal Rumble match was a divisive one, however the stage of star energy was inconceivable to disregard, making for an invested viewers and a number of particular interactions and moments. At instances, the face-offs have been a little bit extreme, however there wasn’t a lot incorrect by way of in-ring work and technical capability.
The shock issue of Jey Uso’s win made this a really memorable Rumble, stunning the viewers with an underdog efficiency and victory. CM Punk performed a robust position, making it to the latter phases earlier than his storyline with Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns developed in an exhilarating brawl exterior the ring.
3
CM Punk Vs. Sami Zayn (WWE RAW)
Total Ranking From TheSportster: 8.25/10
Storytelling
2/2.5
Technical Capability
2.25/2.5
Character Work/Psychology
2/2.5
Crowd Response
2/2.5
Dave Meltzer Ranking: 3.75 Stars
Cagematch.internet Ranking: 8.07
On an episode of RAW, CM Punk and Sami Zayn battled for a spot within the Elimination Chamber, giving this match stakes and a purpose for followers to get invested. Each males showcased nice in-ring chemistry, matched with a forwards and backwards depth that felt genuine.
Their wrestling was fluid, they carried the gang with them, and it was finally probably the greatest matches of Punk’s run in WWE, even with a predictable results of Punk successful.
2
The OG Bloodline Vs. The New Bloodline (WWE Survivor Collection 2024)
Total Ranking From TheSportster: 8.5/10
Storytelling
2.25/2.5
Technical Capability
2/2.5
Character Work/Psychology
2/2.5
Crowd Response
2.25/2.5
Dave Meltzer Ranking: 4.25 Stars
Cagematch.internet Ranking: 8.03
This Struggle Video games match had a sluggish and methodical begin, although the execution of every thing was properly completed, increase in depth as every wrestler made their manner into the match. Issues actually kicked into gear within the second half, the place the motion was wild, intense, and filled with entertaining storytelling beats.
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The large splashes from the likes of Bronson Reed and Jimmy Uso have been implausible, along with each different brutal spot. CM Punk was on the heart of storytelling, as his alliance with The Bloodline was on the ropes at instances, although he and Roman Reigns developed some sturdy respect. Reigns was electrical within the ring, as was Jacob Fatu, with everybody coming collectively for an ideal Struggle Video games important occasion.
1
CM Punk Vs. Drew McIntyre (WWE Dangerous Blood 2024)
Total Ranking From TheSportster: 9.5/10
Storytelling
2.5/2.5
Technical Capability
2.25/2.5
Character Work/Psychology
2.5/2.5
Crowd Response
2.25/2.5
Dave Meltzer Ranking: 5 Stars
Cagematch.internet Ranking: 9.44
CM Punk competed in probably the greatest matches in latest reminiscence as he took on sworn enemy Drew McIntyre in a bloody, brutal, and violent Hell In A Cell match that introduced the stipulation again to its former glory.
They pulled no punches in making this really feel like an actual and gritty battle between two males who wished to kill one another, telling a implausible story within the course of. The gang was scorching, the motion was thrilling, and the massive spots delivered in a implausible manner. The pouring of blood made for some iconic visuals too.
