CM Punk, the current WWE World Heavyweight Champion on RAW, revealed plans about when he aims to retire from wrestling. In a recent interview, the 47-year-old Second City Saint discussed his timeline for stepping away from in-ring competition, suggesting he may retire around his 50th birthday.
CM Punk Shares Thoughts on Wrestling Career Longevity
During a conversation with CinemaBlend, CM Punk reflected on the wrestlers who continue performing into their later years. While acknowledging that some, including luchadors well into their seventies, keep wrestling, Punk does not see himself following that path. He mentioned icons like Terry Funk and Ric Flair, who had lengthy careers, yet implied he expects to bow out before reaching that level of longevity.
“When I was 15, if you asked me if I’d be wrestling when I was 40, I would tell you ‘No, that’s crazy. 40 is so old.’ I’m 47, and I don’t feel old yet. Terry Funk wrestled for a long time, Ric Flair wrestled for a long time. I mean, there’s luchadors that are like in their 70s that are still doing it. Do I want to be doing that? Probably not. I would estimate probably the big 50 is when I should maybe gracefully bow out. Knock on wood, if nothing else horrible happens,” said Punk. – CM Punk
Recently, Punk successfully defended his World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breakker on WWE RAW. Next, he is set to face Finn Balor, a key member of The Judgment Day faction, at the upcoming RAW event in Ireland, continuing his title reign.
Vince Russo Questions CM Punk’s Expectations of Fans
Vince Russo, a former WWE writer and wrestling commentator, weighed in on Punk’s recent callout of fans about their expectations. On the My Mom’s Basement podcast with Barstool Sports host Robbie Fox, Russo addressed Punk’s criticism of how fans responded to WWE programming.
Russo highlighted a specific incident involving Adam Pearce, WWE’s official who teased Chris Jericho’s presence on RAW, only for Jericho not to appear. Russo questioned whether Punk fully understood the situation and the reactions it would generate.
“Does CM Punk understand that Adam Pearce teased the walls coming down? They tease Chris Jericho. The company teased Chris Jericho, knowing d*mn well Jericho wasn’t going to be there on the show. What kind of feedback do you expect?” – Vince Russo
This exchange reflects ongoing tensions around WWE’s promotional strategies and fan expectations. How Punk’s upcoming match against Balor will unfold remains to be seen, and whether he can hold onto the championship amid these controversies will be a major storyline to watch.
The Impact of CM Punk’s Prospective Retirement
CM Punk’s suggestion that he may retire at 50 raises questions about the future of WWE’s landscape, especially given his stature as the reigning World Heavyweight Champion. If he steps away within the next three years, WWE will need to navigate how to transition the championship and maintain audience interest. Meanwhile, the tension surrounding fan reactions and WWE’s internal decisions highlights ongoing challenges for the company.
Punk’s journey from AEW back to WWE and his current status demonstrates his significant influence on professional wrestling today. Fans and industry insiders alike will likely watch closely how his career progresses and what his eventual retirement will mean for the sport.
CM Punk says he estimates he should ‘maybe gracefully bow out’ of pro wrestling when he turns 50:
“When I was 15, if you asked me if I'd be wrestling when I was 40, I would tell you 'No, that's crazy. 40 is so old.' I'm 47, and I don't feel old yet.
Terry Funk wrestled for a… pic.twitter.com/vTX1EPNMd7
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) January 14, 2026
