Drew McIntyre’s reply to CM Punk and Roman Reigns following their dismissal of the Undisputed WWE Championship and SmackDown division has drawn criticism, notably from WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray. Two weeks ago on RAW, Punk and Reigns engaged in a heated exchange that set up their WrestleMania 42 confrontation, with Punk diminishing McIntyre’s status and elevating himself as the superior champion by emphasizing RAW’s premier position within WWE.
In that segment, Punk proposed the idea of Reigns, the Royal Rumble winner, clashing with McIntyre in a way that appeared to undercut the significance of the match.
Bully Ray Questions McIntyre’s Support for Champions and Brand
Last night on SmackDown, McIntyre addressed Punk and Reigns directly, adopting a heroic tone that some observers found unusual considering his recent heel actions. This reaction sparked debate about whether the Undisputed WWE Champion was portrayed as diminished by the RAW segment. On Busted Open Radio, Bully Ray expressed confusion over McIntyre’s approach:
“This didn’t make sense. I don’t know why you’re burying the other guy who’s your champion and the other brand. Now maybe, hopefully, they’ll come full circle and give us a reason. But in all my time, all I can say right now is to quote the great Jeff Spicoli, I don’t know.”
?Bully Ray, WWE Hall of Famer
Ray further highlighted the contradiction in McIntyre’s promo, describing it as oddly sympathetic for a heel who had just removed Cody Rhodes, one of WWE’s top babyfaces, from the Royal Rumble despite not being a participant:
“I’m sorry to repeat myself a little bit. I don’t know why you go out of your way to bury Drew, the championship, and SmackDown. I don’t know why you put a promo in the guy’s mouth that I liked, meanwhile, he just eliminated the biggest babyface in the company out of the Royal Rumble when he wasn’t even in the match. It’s like a toxic girlfriend.”
?Bully Ray, WWE Hall of Famer
Looking ahead, McIntyre is scheduled to compete against the winner of the upcoming Elimination Chamber event on February 28. Participants confirmed for the Elimination Chamber include Cody Rhodes, LA Knight, and Randy Orton, with three additional competitors yet to be announced.
CM Punk on the Growing Rivalry and WrestleMania Main Event Prospects
Despite some backlash over McIntyre’s portrayal, the promo exchange between Punk and Reigns was widely praised by the WWE fanbase. The rising tension culminated in Reigns choosing to pursue Punk’s World Heavyweight Championship on RAW, igniting a rivalry fueled by animosity. WWE regards Punk, Reigns, and Rhodes as its top stars, which Punk acknowledged during an appearance on The Ringer Wrestling Show:
“I think going into that, everybody had an inkling of what should be the main event of WrestleMania. You take the two biggest stars – to me it’s a no brainer – but you never know what’s going to happen. You know, I think our talent roster is so deep.”
?CM Punk, WWE Superstar
He also commented on the depth of the roster and the status of his rivals:
“There are guys on any night, can main event, can headline a WrestleMania. Looking at Cody. Don’t like saying anything positive about Drew McIntyre, he’s a piece of s**t, but he is the (Undisputed WWE) Champion.”
?CM Punk, WWE Superstar
Punk Highlights Their WrestleMania Appeal Amidst a Strong Roster
Punk praised the overall WWE roster, including the women’s division, but emphasized why his match with Reigns is set to be the WrestleMania centerpiece. Reflecting on their ongoing in-ring chemistry, he remarked:
“Look at the board and all the players on the field and you can go, ‘Yeah, I want to see these two guys.’ I think me and Roman encapsulate that. Live in the ring with him in Philadelphia, great hostile city…great wrestling crowd. Knowing that I got them in the palm of my hand and we’re doing our verbal dance.”
?CM Punk, WWE Superstar
The rivalry between McIntyre and Punk has been among the most intense since Punk’s return to WWE in late 2023, marking one of the Triple H era’s defining storylines. However, Punk’s provocative promo blurred the lines between scripted entertainment and reality by suggesting McIntyre isn’t as talented or prominent as himself, Reigns, or Rhodes.
Upcoming Matches May Determine WrestleMania Narrative Direction
McIntyre’s coming match against the Elimination Chamber victor will significantly impact the WrestleMania card’s direction and the status of the Undisputed WWE Championship. With several key contenders still unknown, the pathway ahead remains uncertain. Bully Ray’s frustration illustrates the tension among wrestling veterans over how champions and brands are represented in promos and storylines, especially amid the high-profile CM Punk WrestleMania rivalry shaping the current WWE landscape.
CM Punk on facing Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42: “He got what he wanted and I’m getting what I want.”@cruzkontrol pic.twitter.com/pa0aQ8zL3c
— The Ringer Wrestling Show (@ringerwrestling) February 9, 2026
