CM Punk has openly stated that he cannot undertake a year-long retirement tour like John Cena’s due to the toll injuries and physical demands have taken on his body. Cena, who launched his retirement tour earlier this year with 36 dates, has five shows remaining before his final WWE match, scheduled for December during WWE Saturday Night Main Event in Washington, D.C.
Punk, who faced Cena at WWE Night of Champions in June, shared his perspective on why a drawn-out retirement tour is not feasible for him. Speaking on the podcast Pardon My Take, he acknowledged his respect for Cena’s decision but emphasized that he does not see the need for such a public and prolonged farewell to the wrestling world.
Injuries and Physical Strain Shape Punk’s Decision Against a Retirement Tour
Punk revealed,
“I think you can’t [do a year-long tour] because he did it,”
highlighting Cena’s unique position in undertaking the lengthy farewell. He further explained,
“I said this on the microphone with Cena, one of the segments we did, I said ‘We are on the same path. I’m just not egotistical enough to announce it.’ Honestly, it’s the truth. He’s a little bit older than me. It’s one of those things where I know it’s looming. When I came back to WWE and I blew my tricep right away, there was part of me that was like, ‘Oh, is this it? This sucks.’”
Despite a rapid comeback—Punk was back in action within six months and performing at what he considers his career best—the ongoing physical challenges remain daunting. He expressed,
“Yeah, I came back for it in record time. Pat myself on the back. Six months [later], I was back in the ring and I was doing the best work of my career in my opinion. But after a while, it’s not so much the injuries because you can rehab and come back from anything, but it’s just, man, do I want to do this again?”
Punk Shares the Emotional and Physical Costs Behind Wrestling’s Demands
The wrestler reflected on the difficulty of committing to a grueling schedule that often goes unnoticed.
“Do I want to bust my ass and work impossibly hard and it’s not recognized because all the hard work goes on when people aren’t watching? Am I setting myself up to hurt something else? But we’re all banged up,”
Punk admitted, underscoring the hidden toll wrestling exacts beyond the spotlight.
This insight into Punk’s mindset emphasizes the difference in approach between him and Cena, shaped largely by physical wear and a realistic assessment of personal limits within the industry.
What Punk’s Decision Means for Future Wrestling Farewells
CM Punk’s refusal to engage in a drawn-out retirement tour contrasts starkly with Cena’s ongoing public farewell, signaling a divergence in how top wrestlers approach the end of their in-ring careers. Punk’s remarks highlight the personal and physical costs behind extended appearances, suggesting that not every wrestler will opt for a prolonged goodbye.
As Cena draws closer to his final match in Washington, D.C., this moment underscores the unique nature of each wrestler’s journey and their individual ways of marking the departure from the ring, reflecting the deeply personal decisions behind public shows of farewell.
