The ongoing CM Punk WWE controversy intensified after Kevin Nash publicly ridiculed Punk, questioning his dedication and fitness following incidents at recent WWE events. The dispute, marked by harsh remarks and remembered slights, has reignited old animosities between the WWE Hall of Famer and the reigning World Heavyweight Champion.
Nash Criticizes Punk’s In-Ring Performance and Attire
Kevin Nash reignited his feud with CM Punk by challenging the wrestler’s professionalism and physique, specifically referencing Punk’s choice of wrestling attire and perceived lack of athleticism. Nash singled out Punk’s performance during a WWE RAW main event, claiming that Punk’s ‘slow punches’ signaled he was no longer at the top of his game. Punk retaliated at a live event by apparently mocking Nash, removing his shirt only to unveil another underneath, a move interpreted as a jab at Nash’s criticisms.
The history between the two stretches back to an infamous promo segment, where Punk infamously pretended to get a text from his “little sister” claiming Nash was dead—catching the WCW legend off guard. Nash elaborated on his frustrations, revealing his inability to respond on-air during that period, reportedly because Vince McMahon instructed him not to cut a promo.
“Wouldn’t it be easier to just go to the gym? You know what? This is the thing that kills me. Me and Punk were supposed to wrestle. We never wrestled. I’m in my 50s when I come back, and he gives me the whole ‘LOL, thought you were dead’ stuff. And I’m not allowed to comment back, because I’d been told by Vince McMahon that I wasn’t allowed to cut a promo.”
— Kevin Nash, on the Kliq This podcast
Nash escalated his criticism by highlighting Punk’s age and his recurring use of T-shirts in matches:
“And here he is… how old is Phil now? 48? He’s already fallen victim to the indy T-shirt.”
— Kevin Nash, on the Kliq This podcast
While Punk did not wrestle every 2025 match in a shirt, the trend became notable during the winter months, though he competed shirtless during both World Heavyweight Championship victories, including his high-profile win over Jey Uso at Saturday Night’s Main Event in November.
Praise Amidst Criticism: Nash Acknowledges Punk’s Promo Skills
Despite the bitter exchanges, Nash gave credit to Punk for his performance on the microphone, particularly during a recent segment against Bron Breakker. Punk, set to defend his championship on the anniversary show of RAW streaming on Netflix, countered Breakker’s challenge by asserting that he was the reason Breakker was not ready to win the gold—a move that even Nash admitted was executed at an elite level.
“But at the same time, it’s just like he was really good, and then you give the f**king mic to Phil, and it’s another level. And I f**king think that Phil is a better babyface promo than he is a fucking heel promo. You know, when he said that, he wasn’t ready not to be the champion… It didn’t feel contrived, it felt f**king sincere… Now he won me back this week, because he was strong, but he didn’t work.”
— Kevin Nash, on the Kliq This podcast
Punk’s return to WWE in November 2023 marked a shift to a babyface role, engaging in feuds with top stars like Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins. However, debate continues among fans and veterans about whether Punk’s strengths are greater as a face or during his earlier heel run when he dominated as WWE Champion for 434 days in the mid-2010s.
The Broader Impact on WWE’s Locker Room and Storylines
The public nature of the CM Punk WWE controversy has put current tensions on display, with Nash’s blunt critiques echoing through the wrestling world and stirring debates among fans. The conflict, amplified by their storied history and the personalities involved, has created a sense of anxiety and anticipation as the WWE World Heavyweight Championship scene remains in flux.
With Punk set to face Bron Breakker and potential challengers like Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins in the wings, all eyes are on how these personal and professional disputes will shape future events. Whether the friction leads to on-screen resolution or further escalates, it is clear that this saga has reignited underlying issues and injected fresh intensity into WWE storylines, keeping audiences intrigued about the next chapter.
