On the latest episode of WWE RAW, CM Punk delivered a promo aimed at Roman Reigns that sparked widespread criticism. Punk, known as The Best in the World, crossed a sensitive line by declaring he would “bury” Roman Reigns beside his late father, WWE Hall of Famer Sika Anoa’i, igniting strong reactions within the wrestling community. This statement violated a longstanding WWE convention about the nature of in-ring storytelling and character attacks.
Experts and insiders in professional wrestling quickly condemned Punk’s words, cautioning about the potential consequences of such a harsh personal reference against Reigns. The promo has sparked debates about the boundaries of scripted wrestling promos and what fans expect in terms of realism and respect among performers.
Breaking a Traditional WWE Scriptwriting Custom
WWE has traditionally maintained a certain realism in its promos and storytelling, avoiding overtly literal claims, such as one wrestler stating they will kill or bury another. This approach aims to keep storylines believable and respectful of real-life boundaries. However, Punk’s claim disrupted this balance.
Vince Russo, former WWE Head Writer, discussed the promo on the podcast The Coach and Bro, emphasizing how CM Punk’s remarks conflict with the company’s historical rules and fan expectations. Russo explained that calling out a rival for killing or burying them is historically avoided because such acts never truly occur in wrestling narratives, and stating otherwise risks alienating casual fans who see it as dishonest booking.
“Back in the day, coach, you know this. You never said you were going to kill somebody because nobody was ever getting killed. So you never said that, bro. These were discussions that were had. You never said. So it was Punk who said that. Punk ain’t killing and burying anybody. So now that is, Punk a baby face, telling I don’t even know is Reigns a heel. Doesn’t even matter. Now the baby face is saying, ‘I’m going to kill you, and then I’m going to bury you.’ Well, brother, guess what? You’re not doing neither. So now you got a baby face that’s a liar. These are things, Coach, that they don’t even think about or consider anymore. And again, this is why your entire casual base has said bye-bye. Because if a casual fan happens to be watching the show, the casual fan is saying, ‘Oh, you’re going to you’re going to kill him and bury him?'”
– Vince Russo, Former WWE Head Writer
Context and Fallout Within WWE Storylines
In their current feud, Roman Reigns and CM Punk are set to headline WrestleMania 42’s Night 2, making the promo highly significant for WWE’s storytelling. Punk’s personal attack, directly referencing Reigns’ family lineage by invoking Sika Anoa’i, crosses a sensitive line rarely breached in WWE promos, given the respect usually reserved for legends and deceased family members.
This development raises questions about the direction WWE intends to take with these top stars and how the audience will respond to such intense and personal storytelling elements. Historically, moments like this risk either elevating the feud’s intensity or alienating fans who prefer clear boundaries in wrestling promos.
Industry Reactions and WWE’s Creative Approach
The reaction among WWE peers and insiders has been mixed but largely centered on surprise and critique of Punk’s wording. While aggressive promos are a staple in wrestling, crossing into personal territory that evokes memories of WWE Hall of Famers is considered risky. This promo has reignited discussions on whether WWE’s creative team is pushing boundaries productively or recklessly.
Roman Reigns, known as the One True Champion (OTC), has maintained a strong babyface or heel status depending on storyline needs, but this promo seemingly adds complexity to his portrayal. The lines between hero and villain blur, as Russo points out, especially when a so-called hero delivers threats that cannot logically come true within WWE’s scripted environment.
What This Means for WrestleMania and WWE’s Audience
With WrestleMania 42 fast approaching, this promo’s controversy could significantly influence fan expectations and the event’s atmosphere. The use of intense personal jabs may heighten the stakes and emotional investment, but it also risks alienating more casual viewers who prefer clearer and more believable conflicts.
WWE’s handling of this promo and the ongoing storyline between CM Punk and Roman Reigns will likely shape the company’s creative reputation and its relationship with its diverse fanbase. Observers will watch closely to see if future promos respect traditional wrestling storytelling rules or continue to push controversial boundaries in pursuit of greater drama.
