WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash has revealed that he was barred from responding to comments from CM Punk during their on-screen rivalry, citing a decision by Vince McMahon. The ongoing CM Punk Kevin Nash feud, rooted in events from 2011, continues to fuel tension, with Nash expressing ongoing frustration over how their storyline played out.
The Summer of Punk Interrupted by Kevin Nash
In 2011, the wrestling world witnessed a dramatic turn during the highly anticipated “Summer of Punk” storyline. Kevin Nash made a shocking return, ambushing CM Punk shortly after Punk’s high-profile victory over John Cena. This interference enabled Alberto Del Rio to cash in on Punk’s vulnerable moment, taking the WWE Championship and cutting short Punk’s reign as “The Second City Saint.”
The incident escalated further when Punk criticized Nash in a post-match promo, humorously claiming his sister thought Nash was dead. The expectation among fans and insiders was that this would culminate in a high-stakes match between the two competitors. However, Nash was unexpectedly removed from the storyline, and Triple H ultimately faced Punk in the ensuing pay-per-view event.
Vince McMahon Stops Nash From Retaliating
On his recent Kliq This! podcast episode, Kevin Nash voiced frustration that he was not permitted to address Punk’s jabs in the media or on WWE programming. According to Nash, this restriction was directed by WWE’s then-CEO, Vince McMahon, which left him unable to provide his perspective during a period of heated exchanges.
“I come back and [CM Punk] gives me all the bullsh** about, ‘LOL, thought you were dead,’ and all that sh**. And I’m not allowed to comment back because I’ve been told by Vince that I’m not allowed to cut a promo,”
Kevin Nash recalled, laughing.
“And here he is — how old is Phil [Punk] now, 48? He’s already fallen victim to the indie t-shirt, so…”
— Kevin Nash, WWE Hall of Famer
Nash’s Continued Criticism of CM Punk
Kevin Nash did not stop at recounting the events of the past. Instead, he continued to take aim at Punk’s current role in WWE, suggesting that Punk should consider retirement once he fulfills obligations like his upcoming match against Bron Breakker. Punk is scheduled to defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Breakker during the January 5 episode of RAW, set to stream on Netflix.
Nash specifically mocked Punk for embodying what Nash described as “indie t-shirt” culture, despite his status as a World Heavyweight Champion, indicating a lingering disdain for how Punk presents himself in main events.
The Lasting Impact of Their Feud
The CM Punk Kevin Nash feud stands out as a controversial chapter in WWE history, reflecting a blend of personal tension and creative decisions. Vince McMahon’s choice to restrict Nash’s voice left long-term animosity, as evidenced by Nash’s candid comments. With Punk gearing up to defend his title against new challengers like Bron Breakker, the aftermath of unfulfilled storylines continues to spark discussion among wrestling fans and insiders alike.
