Every Match Of CM Punk’s WWE Comeback Reviewed

At Survivor Series 2023, the unthinkable happened as CM Punk made his huge return to WWE, kickstarting his second run with the company after nearly a decade away. A long-term injury hindered Punk’s first year back, but since his return has been mixing it up in the ring with many of WWE’s biggest stars.

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He has competed in a variety of matches thus far, but it is safe to say he’s undergone more of a “part-time” schedule between the ropes than most. TheSportster’s rating system will take a look at CM Punk’s WWE run thus far, determining his best match, his worst, and everything in between. These ratings will be compared to those from Cagematch.Net and Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

9

Men’s Royal Rumble Match (WWE Royal Rumble 2024)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 6.5/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.25 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 5.83

CM Punk’s first televised match back in a WWE ring came at the 2024 Royal Rumble event, competing in the men’s match and seeking a path to WrestleMania. The match itself was fine, with some memorable moments and solid wrestling all throughout. The likes of Bron Breakker shone, and there were some strong back and forths between CM Punk and Cody Rhodes in the final stretch.

The match lacked some energy and the fans weren’t overly invested in the bout at some points due to the poor entrance music and some slower moments, but things grew towards the end. In terms of storytelling, there wasn’t a whole lot to shout about, but it was still fun for what it was.

8

CM Punk Vs. Seth Rollins (WWE RAW Netflix Premiere)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 7.25/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.25 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 7.37

CM Punk and Seth Rollins clashed on RAW’s Netflix premiere, but in truth their match lacked the desired intensity that many thought it would have going in. It was still a very serviceable and well-wrestled match, but there was a spark missing to take it up a notch.

Their character work impressed and the audience gradually got louder as it went on, but there was not as much storytelling as fans would have hoped, nor were there wild near-falls or memorable spots. This very much felt like they were building to something better down the line.

7

CM Punk Vs. Drew McIntyre (WWE SummerSlam 2024)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 3 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 6.78

CM Punk and Drew McIntyre finally met in the ring after months of feuding at SummerSlam 2024 in a match that did feature a lot of strong character work from both, which was really the driving force of this match. Some fans weren’t too enthralled with the bracelet saga, but they still managed to make the most of a silly aspect, telling a good story amidst some solid in-ring work.

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The audience were invested in what they were doing, and this was a far better match than many have given it credit for. Seth Rollins’ involvement as referee did admittedly distract a little too much at times 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)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.75 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 8.36

This wasn’t the most brutal or devastating Elimination Chamber match in history, but a strong crowd and several memorable moments helped to make the men’s match in 2025 a good matchup. The interactions between CM Punk and John Cena were brilliant, the storyline threads involving Punk and Seth Rollins helped to add a lot of depth to the bout, and there was enough to drive it forward in terms of character performances too.

The post-match heel turn was of course a major talking point, but it is unfair including that entirely in the context of the match itself, aside from the finish where Cena took a cheap road to a victory.

5

CM Punk Vs. Drew McIntyre (WWE Bash In Berlin 2024)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8.25/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.5 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 7.60

CM Punk and Drew McIntyre added plenty of intense action into this matchup, showcasing good aggression and clear hatred of one another, ensuring their storyline ticked on in an entertaining manner.

However, the four corners stipulation was a complete mess, and considering this was a Strap Match, the strap itself wasn’t as big a factor as it should have been. Both men did a strong job to make the most out of a poor gimmick, continuing their storyline in an impressive manner.

4

Men’s Royal Rumble Match (WWE Royal Rumble 2025)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8.25/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.5 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 6.05

The 2025 men’s Royal Rumble match was a divisive one, but the level of star power was impossible to ignore, making for an invested audience and a lot of special interactions and moments. At times, the face-offs were a little excessive, but there wasn’t much wrong in terms of in-ring work and technical ability.

The shock factor of Jey Uso’s win made this a very memorable Rumble, shocking the audience with an underdog performance and victory. CM Punk played a strong role, making it to the latter stages before his storyline with Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns developed in a thrilling brawl outside the ring.

3

CM Punk Vs. Sami Zayn (WWE RAW)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8.25/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 3.75 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 8.07

On an episode of RAW, CM Punk and Sami Zayn battled for a spot in the Elimination Chamber, giving this match stakes and a reason for fans to get invested. Both men showcased great in-ring chemistry, matched with a back and forth intensity that felt authentic.

Their wrestling was fluid, they carried the crowd with them, and it was ultimately one of the best matches of Punk’s run in WWE, even with a predictable result of Punk winning.

2

The OG Bloodline Vs. The New Bloodline (WWE Survivor Series 2024)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8.5/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 4.25 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 8.03

This War Games match had a slow and methodical start, though the execution of everything was well done, building up in intensity as each wrestler made their way into the match. Things really kicked into gear in the second half, where the action was wild, intense, and full of entertaining storytelling beats.

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The big splashes from the likes of Bronson Reed and Jimmy Uso were fantastic, in addition to every other brutal spot. CM Punk was at the center of storytelling, as his alliance with The Bloodline was on the ropes at times, though he and Roman Reigns developed some strong respect. Reigns was electric in the ring, as was Jacob Fatu, with everyone coming together for a great War Games main event.

1

CM Punk Vs. Drew McIntyre (WWE Bad Blood 2024)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 9.5/10

• Dave Meltzer Rating: 5 Stars
• Cagematch.net Rating: 9.44

CM Punk competed in one of the best matches in recent memory as he took on sworn enemy Drew McIntyre in a bloody, brutal, and violent Hell In A Cell match that brought the stipulation back to its former glory.

They pulled no punches in making this feel like a real and gritty battle between two men who wanted to kill each other, telling a fantastic story in the process. The crowd was hot, the action was thrilling, and the big spots delivered in a fantastic way. The pouring of blood made for some iconic visuals too.