CM Punk criticized after WWE return by veteran has sparked renewed debate within the wrestling community, as former WWE writer Vince Russo voiced strong disapproval regarding Punk’s recent performances and WWE’s reluctance to mention Punk’s unsuccessful UFC stint. The criticism comes as Punk navigates his high-profile return, with further commentary from respected veteran figures questioning his current persona and the company’s promotional choices.
Vince Russo voices dissatisfaction with CM Punk’s WWE comeback
A seasoned wrestling veteran, Vince Russo, openly expressed his lack of enthusiasm for CM Punk since the star’s 2023 WWE return. Russo, who did not follow Punk’s initial rise between 2006 and 2014, clarified that his negative viewpoint did not stem from previous bias but from Punk’s recent output and WWE’s creative direction.
On the most recent installment of The Wrestling Outlaws, Russo gave a detailed account of the factors influencing his perception of Punk. He pointedly addressed the decision by WWE to keep Punk’s MMA career, specifically his disappointing UFC run, out of on-screen storylines. According to Russo, this omission detracts from the authenticity of Punk’s character and limits opportunities for more compelling rivalries. Russo stated:
“I didn’t CM Punk’s [first] run, and all I heard about was the straight edge, the pipebomb, and this, and that. Every week I see him on TV he’s always up the marks’ butts and pandering and that’s like, that’s the freaking straight edge? Here’s the part that really bothers me: nobody is allowed to bring up his MMA record? If they were smart, they would have a heel go down that road and say, ‘You’re only back because you got your butt kicked in MMA.’ But obviously, they’ve all been told they can’t go there.” (7:00-7:40) —Vince Russo, former WWE writer
Russo’s remarks highlight a persistent theme among critics: that WWE is prioritizing Punk’s image at the expense of narrative depth, particularly by shielding him from references to his failed UFC stint. This stance has led to increased discussion among insiders and fans about transparency and storytelling in professional wrestling.
Teddy Long suggests CM Punk’s persona is already villainous
Alongside Russo’s comments, another respected voice in wrestling—WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long—offered a candid perspective on Punk’s character trajectory. Punk, celebrated by many as a major hero in his return after Survivor Series 2023, continues to draw widespread attention and high merchandise sales, sustaining his popularity with global audiences.
Yet, as speculation about a potential heel turn grows, Teddy Long addressed the crowd reactions and Punk’s on-screen demeanor in an earlier episode of The Wrestling Time Machine. Long asserted that Punk’s current persona already aligns with that of a classic wrestling antagonist, implying that a formal character shift is unnecessary:
“He’s already a heel. He ain’t gotta turn.” He continued, “But he’s one of the guys, there aren’t many of these guys around, he’s the guy that you love to hate.” [From 3:06 onwards] —Teddy Long, WWE Hall of Famer
Long’s assessment resonates with the notion that certain performers, through their natural charisma and polarizing presence, blur traditional hero-villain lines. This viewpoint is reinforced by the company’s current lack of incentive to repackage Punk as a villain while his fan appeal remains financially advantageous.
What lies ahead for Punk as scrutiny increases
As debate continues over the best approach for Punk’s character and legacy, WWE prepares for a pivotal event: the Night of Champions. There, CM Punk faces his acclaimed rival John Cena in a bout touted as a career-defining encounter. With critics such as Vince Russo advocating for more honest depictions and Teddy Long recognizing Punk’s innate antagonism, all eyes are on how WWE will balance legacy, storytelling, and fan engagement moving forward.
The discourse surrounding CM Punk’s return reflects wider industry tensions over authenticity, transparency, and adaptation to evolving audience expectations. Whether WWE will eventually embrace these critiques or maintain its current trajectory remains a subject of intense interest among fans and industry stalwarts alike.
