WWE has confirmed that John Cena’s final big match will be against CM Punk, with the WWE Championship at stake, set for Night Of Champions 2025 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The announcement, centered on the long-standing Cena and Punk rivalry, has sparked intense conflict among fans, fueled by questions of hypocrisy linked to CM Punk agreeing to compete in Saudi Arabia, after years of vocal criticism of WWE’s relationship with the country—a development at the heart of the ongoing John Cena final WWE match vs CM Punk controversy.
Criticisms Mount as CM Punk Faces Backlash Over Saudi Arabia Decision
The decision to hold the climactic encounter at WWE’s Night Of Champions in Riyadh has angered segments of the fanbase, who accuse CM Punk of contradicting his prior statements and beliefs. In the past, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s partnership with WWE has drawn public scrutiny, especially given controversies including the historical ban on women performers at the earliest events, unsettling incidents such as the delayed departure of a plane carrying talent, and claims of WWE accepting funds often referred to pejoratively as “blood money.”
CM Punk’s reputation as the “Voice of the Voiceless” was forged through his outspokenness—especially during his ascent in 2011, when he repeatedly called out WWE leadership and questioned ethical policies, including those involving Saudi Arabia. Over the years, Punk openly supported major social causes, ranging from LGBTQ+ rights to abortion access, and more recently made headlines by standing in solidarity with Sami Zayn, even wearing Palestinian colors on TV.
Despite this activist stance, Punk’s willingness to perform in Saudi Arabia has left many of his own fans disillusioned. Years before, in a highly publicized tweet aimed at The Miz, CM Punk wrote,
Go suck a bloody money covered d*ck you f*cking dork.
—CM Punk, Former WWE Champion
This direct confrontation with WWE’s business practices heightened expectations among his supporters that he would never participate in a Saudi Arabia show, fueling the sense of betrayal surrounding his current decision. Instances like celebrating a headline slot at WrestleMania—despite previously ridiculing WWE’s multi-night format—add to a perception of Punk walking back on his once-firm positions.
Contrasting Choices: Others Have Refused Saudi Arabia Shows
The choice to work a Saudi event is not universal among high-profile WWE talent. Wrestlers such as Kevin Owens, John Cena, and Daniel Bryan have previously rejected trips to the Kingdom, either due to personal beliefs or in solidarity with others, as in the case of Owens supporting Sami Zayn when Zayn was barred from appearing. While most performers participate as part of their professional obligations, those who visibly refuse, doing so at their own career risk, have been respected by sections of the wrestling audience for standing by their principles.
Given the influence that CM Punk holds in WWE today, many believe he could have easily declined the Saudi booking without suffering career harm. Instead, a storyline write-off—such as an injury angle—could have built further anticipation and delayed the Cena-Punk bout until a stage like SummerSlam 2025, likely to be held in a less contentious location. For Punk’s most ardent followers, his current direction is difficult to reconcile with his outspoken opposition to WWE’s partnership with Saudi authorities.
Recently, when questioned about this contradiction, CM Punk stated,
I’ve never been to Saudi, I don’t hate coming to Saudi.
—CM Punk, Former WWE Champion
This change in tone has been met with agitation and disappointment from fans and critics who once took him at his word regarding Saudi Arabia’s role in WWE’s business model.
Fans Express Frustration Over Venue for Cena’s Final Match
Not only is CM Punk being called out for hypocrisy, but many supporters are also upset that Cena’s historic final match will take place overseas, far from the passionate home crowds that propelled both men to fame. The consensus among dedicated fans is that such a storied rivalry deserved its climactic showdown in a wrestling hotbed like Boston, John Cena’s hometown, or in Chicago, synonymous with CM Punk’s career.
Few WWE loyalists are likely to make the expensive and logistically difficult trip to Riyadh, resulting in an event atmosphere that many feel will be subdued compared to the electric American crowds. WWE’s Saudi Arabia events have often been criticized as being driven by financial incentives rather than audience experience, with fans saying the shows feel transactional and lack the authenticity of other major venues. The perception that the company’s decisions are dictated by profit, echoed in comments about TKO’s corporate priorities, only heightens fan agitation surrounding Cena’s farewell.
Many also feel the match, while significant, will forever carry an asterisk due to its controversial location—a sentiment that has lingered since WWE’s initial deal with Saudi Arabia was struck. Every substantial title change and landmark moment occurring at the Saudi events has been subjected to extra scrutiny, and this upcoming Cena vs Punk clash—one expected to cap the rivalry on the grandest of stages—will be no exception.
As the Kingdom Arena prepares to host the 2025 showdown, questions remain about how much legacy and meaning will be lost for the global WWE audience. With John Cena and CM Punk at the center of this storm, the coming months will test whether fan discontent can alter WWE’s approach, or if financial imperatives will continue to dictate the site of its most historic moments.
