WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk has shared his thoughts on when he expects to retire from professional wrestling, providing a timeline that follows the recent retirement of John Cena. Cena ended his WWE career on December 13 during WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, losing to Gunther in his final bout.
With several stars from CM Punk’s era, including Hiroshi Tanahashi and AJ Styles, stepping away from the ring or planning to retire, Punk offered insight into his own future in an interview with CinemaBlend. Speaking candidly about his wrestling longevity, Punk reflected on how his perspective on age has evolved over time and where he sees his career heading.
Veteran Wrestlers’ Longevity Shapes CM Punk’s Outlook
When considering his retirement, Punk compared himself to legendary wrestlers known for extended careers.
“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,”
he said. He acknowledged that while he doesn’t feel old at 47, he recognizes the physical demands of wrestling and aims to bow out at a reasonable time.
I would estimate probably the big 50 is when I should maybe gracefully bow out. Knock on wood, if nothing else horrible happens.
?CM Punk, WWE World Heavyweight Champion
Current Championship Status and Upcoming Matches
Punk recently defended his World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breakker on the January 5 episode of Raw, successfully retaining the title. He is scheduled to defend the championship next week against Finn Balor, indicating he remains actively engaged in top-level competition as he contemplates the years remaining in his wrestling career.
Implications for the WWE and Wrestling Community
CM Punk’s estimated retirement timeline highlights a significant shift as many prominent wrestlers from his generation are stepping away, signaling a changing of the guard within WWE. His planned exit around age 50 could mark the end of an era for a figure who has been central to wrestling storylines for years. Fans and the wrestling world will be watching his upcoming matches closely, aware that each bout may bring him closer to this anticipated retirement milestone.
