At WWE’s live event in Manchester on August 26, CM Punk was unexpectedly attacked by Roxanne Perez, who used her finishing move, the Pop Rox, during the main event. Punk was part of a six-man tag team match alongside Sami Zayn and Penta against The Judgment Day’s JD McDonagh, Finn Balor, and Dominik Mysterio when Perez made a sudden interference.
The surprise attack from the former NXT Women’s Champion stunned the audience and participants alike. Despite Perez’s involvement, The Judgment Day team still fell to Punk’s team in this match held at AO Arena as part of WWE’s ‘Road to Clash in Paris’ series.
Upcoming WWE Championship Match Puts Attack Into Perspective
CM Punk is set to challenge for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at the upcoming WWE Clash in Paris event. He will face current champion Seth Rollins, LA Knight, and Jey Uso in a Fatal Four-Way match, making Perez’s attack all the more unexpected given Punk’s promising position. Their previously positive rapport adds an additional layer of surprise to this incident.
The Manchester show also featured several title defenses, including Giulia retaining the WWE Women’s US Championship against Zelina Vega, and Charlotte Flair alongside Alexa Bliss successfully defending the Women’s Tag Team Championships against Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez. Additionally, Joe Hendry made a notable appearance by defeating The Miz, who had issued an open challenge.
Roxanne Perez and CM Punk’s Established Connection
Perez and Punk share a close relationship, which has developed over the past year with Perez training under Punk’s mentorship at the WWE Performance Center following his return to WWE in November 2023. Perez has frequently described Punk as a childhood hero who deeply influenced her wrestling path.
Their bond became clear during a September 2024 NXT segment when Perez interrupted Punk’s promo, calling him her favorite wrestler but teasingly favoring his wife, AJ Lee. She even joked about wishing she had supported Drew McIntyre instead. Punk responded with good humor, reflecting the comfortable dynamic between them.
Perez praised her experiences working with Punk, calling it being under his learning tree. She appreciated Punk’s dedication to attending NXT shows, watching entire matches, and providing guidance to emerging talent. The NXT Women’s Champion described these moments as ‘a pinch me moment’ and credited Punk with helping her develop as a wrestler.
The Significance of the Attack and Future Implications
This unexpected attack by Roxanne Perez on CM Punk introduces an intriguing twist ahead of the major WWE Clash in Paris event, where Punk has a significant title opportunity. The incident may signal a shift in their relationship or hint at new storylines leading into the championship match. Fans and the WWE roster will be watching closely to see how this event influences upcoming developments within the company.
