During a preview show for Saturday’s Royal Rumble taking place in Saudi Arabia as part of the Riyadh Season event series, CM Punk openly criticized wrestling legend Hulk Hogan. The WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Phillip Brooks, challenged the common view of Hogan’s popularity from his youth, signaling ongoing tension between the two wrestlers.
Debate Over Hulk Hogan’s Influence Sparks Strong Reaction from CM Punk
On the Royal Rumble kickoff show, panelist Peter Rosenberg invited nostalgia by recalling how Hulk Hogan was a beloved figure during their childhood. CM Punk quickly responded with skepticism, saying,
“I dunno where you grew up.”
This sharp retort highlighted Punk’s rarely hidden disdain for Hogan, contrasting the general fondness many fans hold for the wrestling icon.
Punk’s hostility toward Hogan has been well documented, including his visible lack of emotion during a 10-bell salute held in Hogan’s honor on Monday Night Raw following Hogan’s death last July at age 71.
Fan Reactions Highlight Divided Opinion on CM Punk’s Comments
The wrestler’s remarks did not go unnoticed, drawing mixed responses from fans. Some criticized Punk, labeling him
“Always a edgelord wanting to be different,”
and called his attack
“Douchebag Phil has to break kayfabe to attack the most popular wrestler in history.”
However, others expressed support for Punk’s boldness, with one fan stating,
“I’m so glad we live in a timeline where top stars of today can take a massive shit on Hulk Hogan.”
An additional comment admired Punk’s candid approach:
“Seriously. No chill, straight talk from punk here…”
Historical Feuds and Criticisms Between CM Punk and Hulk Hogan
CM Punk has openly expressed admiration for other wrestling greats like Bret Hart and Roddy Piper, yet his relationship with Hogan has been contentious. Back in January during a promo before the 2023 Royal Rumble, Punk declared,
“You put Hulk Hogan in the Royal Rumble, I’ll throw his dusty a** over the top rope, and I’ll kill Hulkamania once and for all.”
In a 2021 interview, he went further by calling Hogan a “piece of sh*t,” accusing him of monopolizing the spotlight and failing to support emerging talent during Hogan’s peak years.
Former WWE star Becky Lynch echoed similar sentiments after she was derisively nicknamed Becky Hogan following Hogan’s return at WrestleMania. She condemned the comparison, saying she had been likened
“to the scummiest person on Earth after everything I’ve done.”
Hulk Hogan’s Legacy Marks Both Immense Popularity and Controversy
Hulk Hogan was undoubtedly one of the most towering wrestling figures of the 1980s and 90s, boosting WWE’s global success and even crossing over into pop culture with appearances in movies like Rocky III. Despite his early adored status, his reputation declined over time. Hogan was removed from the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015 after a racist rant leaked publicly, though he was reinstated three years later.
His last WWE television appearance in January 2025 at the first episode of Raw on Netflix was met with loud boos from the Los Angeles crowd, illustrating the complicated legacy he leaves behind.
What CM Punk’s Comments Mean for Wrestling’s Future Dynamics
CM Punk’s forthright criticism of Hulk Hogan underscores a shifting attitude among some top contemporary wrestlers who no longer revere past icons unconditionally. This tension reflects deeper divides in how wrestling legends are remembered versus how current stars view their roles within the sport’s evolving landscape. As the Royal Rumble continues amid this backdrop, Punk’s outspoken stance may influence fan perceptions and provoke further debate on wrestling’s history and its brightest stars.
