CM Punk became the center of the latest WWE retirement debate after Hall of Famer Kevin Nash criticized his performance on Monday Night RAW, sparking the ongoing CM Punk WWE retirement controversy. The situation escalated during a recent live event in Fort Myers, where Punk publicly mocked Nash and responded to calls suggesting he should end his wrestling career.
Kevin Nash’s Critique of CM Punk’s Performance
Following last week’s episode of Monday Night RAW, where CM Punk and Rey Mysterio faced Bronson Reed and Austin Theory in a tag team contest, Nash did not hold back his opinion. Despite the energetic efforts of all wrestlers during the match, Theory secured the win for his side with a decisive move on Mysterio. Reacting to the bout on his Kliq This podcast, Kevin Nash questioned Punk’s speed and attire and openly doubted his continued viability in the ring.
“I watched Punk in the main event of that match last Monday, the tag team match. Number one, if you’re the WWE Heavyweight Champion and you wrestle in a t-shirt, ouch. Number two, his punches looked really slow. He looked slow. I think it’s time for him. I think he’s done,”
Nash said.
CM Punk Responds to Nash at Fort Myers Event
CM Punk swiftly addressed Nash’s comments while performing at a Fort Myers live show. During his World Heavyweight Championship bout against Bronson Reed, Punk took off one t-shirt only to reveal another beneath, a clear jab at Nash’s criticism regarding his match attire. He then continued to compete in the layered t-shirt, referencing Nash’s earlier remarks and keeping the atmosphere tense and charged.
Other WWE Stars Join the Conversation
The retirement calls for the Second City Saint did not stop with Nash. On a recent RAW Recap episode, former United States Champion Austin Theory echoed similar sentiments. Theory dismissed Punk’s championship reign and implied that the era for the former WWE Heavyweight Champion was coming to a close.
“I mean, you saw CM Punk tonight with that title. Like it’s just not for him anymore. It’s time to go, Phil. It’s time to go.”
Upcoming Showdown for Punk
Despite these critiques, CM Punk remains central to WWE’s competitive landscape. He is scheduled to face Bron Breakker for the World Heavyweight Championship on the January 5, 2026, episode of Monday Night RAW. As tensions rise and the spotlight intensifies, the wrestling community awaits to see if Punk can silence his critics or if retirement speculation will persist.
The ongoing CM Punk WWE retirement controversy continues to fuel debate among fans and former champions, underscoring the challenges seasoned performers face as they navigate evolving expectations in professional wrestling. The outcome of Punk’s next match could play a defining role in shaping perceptions of his career longevity.
CM PUNK TROLLING KEVIN NASH LMFAOOO
During tonight's #WWEFortMyers he took off his shirt revealing to have another one underneath lmao 😂😂😭😭 pic.twitter.com/ia3FsIYIEV— Teffo (@Teffo_01) December 31, 2025
