CM Punk, the current World Heavyweight Champion on Monday Night RAW, is facing renewed scrutiny as Kevin Nash openly criticized his performance and presentation on his Kliq THIS podcast. The ongoing CM Punk WWE criticism has ignited responses from both wrestling veterans and fans, raising questions about Punk’s evolving in-ring style and his future as champion.
Nash’s Disapproval Sparks Industry Discussion
CM Punk has embraced his latest run with WWE, holding the top title on RAW and being prominently featured by the Stamford-based company. However, his performances have not been immune to harsh evaluation—especially from Nash, who took issue with Punk wrestling in a T-shirt, suggesting it failed to meet championship standards. Nash further critiqued Punk’s punches, describing them as slow, and concluded with an admission that he was finished paying attention to Punk’s work.
The segment quickly became a topic of wrestling podcasts and social media chatter, reigniting interest in the past animosity between Nash and Punk, whose 2011 feud never culminated in an actual match.
Stevie Richards Defends Punk’s Storytelling Approach
Stevie Richards, known for his 21 reigns as WWE Hardcore Champion, addressed Nash’s negative assessment on The Stevie Richards Show. Richards acknowledged elements of Nash’s critique but offered context around Punk’s experience and approach in the ring.
“His punches might have been a little bit, I don’t know, weak is the word. But at the same time, what he’s doing is he’s slowing down and trying to tell a story in a way,”
he said.
Richards compared Punk’s evolving style to younger stars like Carmelo Hayes, who is recognized for his agility and acrobatics. He argued that while Hayes would need justification for slowing his pace, Punk is using his accumulated skill set for narrative purposes and can still entertain the audience effectively.
“Punk’s still got the five moves of doom still. And he still really, for most times, executes those very, very well,”
he added.
Punk Responds with Trademark Sarcasm
Although CM Punk has not issued a direct statement addressing Nash’s T-shirt criticism, he answered in a subtle, characteristic manner. During a live WWE event in Fort Myers, Punk faced Bronson Reed for the World Heavyweight Title. In a pointed gesture, Punk removed his T-shirt before the match, only to reveal another T-shirt underneath—a playful yet pointed reply to Nash’s comments.
Looking ahead, Punk is scheduled to defend his championship once more on the next episode of RAW, this time against Bron Breakker. The wrestling world will be watching closely, as observers weigh his performance and the lingering effects of high-profile criticism from industry veterans like Kevin Nash.
This public back-and-forth underscores the ongoing debate about the evolution of veterans’ wrestling styles and what is expected from top-level WWE champions, ensuring CM Punk WWE criticism will remain a topic of conversation as the titleholder faces new challengers and vocal critics alike.
