Always fearless, CM Punk shone a light on professional wrestling that remains intact today. WWE Hall of Famer Booker T, who was still active in the ring during Punk’s first run, is adamant that “The World’s Best” has always been a locker room leader and role model then and now. However, where he differs is which era was best for Punk. Analyzing the issue, Booker T claims that Punk’s second and current run is far better than his first in many different ways.
“Guys like CM Punk, you need guys like that,” Booker T said on his “Hall of Fame” podcast. “There’s a lot of guys that don’t want to put funding on themselves. You have to be willing to fund yourself, just like Punk leaving WWE, going to AEW and beyond. leaving AEWand back…Check out his career now! This run is better than his first run in many ways. And I think he’ll probably say the same thing in a lot of ways, because the things that he was worried about the first time, he’s not worried about those things anymore.”
While many never thought Punk would ever return to the promotion that made him a worldwide household name, he surprised the WWE Universe when he did so at the conclusion of the 2023 Survivor Series PLE in Chicago. Since his return, he has added two more World Heavyweight titles to his name, as well as becoming the former (and third-time) Undisputed Champion. participated in one of John Cena’s final matches, and: tagged alongside his real-life wife AJ Leewhen he returned to the company after a ten-year hiatus.
As of this writing, Punk has been in two blockbuster matches this past week. The first came on last Wednesday’s special edition episode of WWE NXT, where he unsuccessfully challenged Grayson Waller for the NXT Championship; title Punk never held in two runs. And this past Friday WWE SmackDown vs. Kevin Owens who finally avenged their unresolved feud that began two decades ago in Ring of Honor.
If you use any of the quotes in this article, credit The Hall of Fame Podcast with ah/t Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
