It's been a few months since CM Punk's return to WWE after a tumultuous couple of years in AEW. The wrestler called WWE his home long before that, but returning to the company after a 10-year absence means a largely brand-new roster to match him up against in a series of dream matches and feuds.
Punk has never been one to back down from a challenge and has already taken on the biggest stars of his era from John Cena to The Undertaker. So with this second go-around, who would we like to see the self-proclaimed "best in the world" take on next? He's currently in the mix with a few different talents. However, the Royal Rumble awaits and Punk is looking to finish his own story, with a Wrestlemania main event to his name.
Should he outlast 29 other WWE superstars, win the Rumble, and go on to Wrestlemania, then what? A lot of speculation is brewing about what WWE has in store for Punk, but until any of that comes to fruition, let's do a little fantasy booking, shall we? You might notice that there is a notable omission: Roman Reigns. Reigns is working an extremely part-time schedule and will probably remain part-time after he eventually loses his Undisputed Universal Championship. It seems likely that WWE is keeping him away from Punk as the two aren't likely to cross paths ever again.
Here are nine CM Punk feuds WWE needs to deliver on during his new tenure with the company.
1. "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes
This is a no-brainer. This is Prodigal Son vs. Prodigal Son, but two very different tales of redemption and validation. They passed each other like ships in the night in AEW, with Punk joining the company in late 2021, while Cody left in early 2022. Previously, they faced off against one another in 2008, but were both still in the early days of cementing their respective legacies--Punk admittedly farther along than Rhodes. Punk left WWE in 2014. Cody followed in 2016, leaving the company on his own terms and establishing himself as a top-level wrestler on the independent scene, in Japan, and eventually with the founding of AEW.
Cody's whole story has been focused on finishing his story by becoming WWE Champion, and even though he won the Rumble last year and ultimately lost to Roman Reigns, that hasn't deterred the veteran. Put the two of them together and it's instant money and has the biggest match of the year written all over it
2. Seth "Freakin'" Rollins
Over a decade ago, Rollins was called up to the main roster as part of the faction The Shield, who were originally presented as associates of a heel Punk. Eventually, Punk and Rollins had a singles match in December 2013, just weeks before Punk left the company. In the 10 years since, Rollins has become a Grand Slam Champion, Royal Rumble winner, Mr. Money in the Bank, main-evented Wrestlemania, and become one of this generation's biggest and most influential stars.
3. Gunther
The man formerly known as Walter has carried the Intercontinental Championship to new heights since coming over to the main roster in early 2022. He's in the midst of the longest single reign in the title's history and there's no sign of him slowing down anytime soon. Both Punk and Gunther pride themselves on their striking abilities, so a showdown should be inevitable.
A match with Punk would put Gunther on another level, with Punk finding out if he's ready to hang with a man who could send him to the Phantom Zone with a single chop to the chest.
4. Kevin Owens
This is another Ring of Honor alum that never got to tangle with Punk, despite the supposed beef the two of them shared back in the day. When Owens was signed to WWE, Punk had already left the company. However, since then, Owens has become a true WWE cornerstone, having become a Grand Slam champion and part of the main event of last year's Wrestlemania.
The history between them goes back to Ring of Honor where tales of Punk getting into it about his ring gear circled around for years. It's almost the perfect setup for them to complete that story. The two men already had a quick confrontation back in December so maybe Punk is lining up his dance card for however much time he has left.
5. Sami Zayn
Another one of WWE's most versatile performers, Sami has proven he can take the top slots of the card and go one-on-one with the biggest and best WWE has. The promos alone leading up to the match could be worth the hype.
Zayn could play up his aerial abilities while Punk pulls from his grounded attack arsenal and you have a match of the night in the chamber ready to fire.
6. Finn Balor
Balor is entering a decade with WWE after circling the independent scene and being a megastar in New Japan for years. Balor is a Triple Crown champion in WWE and a guy who can go with high-flyers or Real Big Body Boys.
Again, Balor is a guy who doesn't share much history with Punk. The two have never actually been in the same company at the same time, so it's rare you get a dream match of this caliber that could main event any night. Balor even said back in September that he would wrestle a broom if it would make him money. Balor vs Punk would make exponentially more than that.
7. Drew McIntyre
Drew and Punk recently had words on Monday Night Raw, with both men saying how they'll see each other at the Royal Rumble. Both have career highs and lows with WWE, but both are also former world champions and fan favorites--when they try to be, anyway. They never had a match together. However, Punk did congratulate McIntyre on winning the WWE Championship four years ago.
Drew has certainly elevated himself during his second run with the company but before he can capture WWE gold again, having a win over Punk might be worth more in the long run than another title.
8. Carmelo Hayes
Who wouldn't want to see this? A barnburner in the making as Punk takes on one of the next generation's top talents in Carmelo Hayes. A former NXT Champion, Hayes has been a one-man highlight reel in NXT for the past couple of years and recently went over to Smackdown to participate in a United States Championship contender tournament. He beat Grayson Waller in the first outing but lost to Kevin Owens in the semi-finals.
In AEW, Punk was all about making names for younger talent, something he hasn't really spoken on in WWE just yet, much less named opponents he wants to take on. Punk has played more of being a cryptid than an in-ring performer, so perhaps Hayes can make his own luck and calls out Punk down the line.
9. Shinsuke Nakamura
A few months back during his feud with Seth Rollins, Nakamura used the GTS finisher, pointing to a possible Punk return. Now that Punk is officially back, this is the right time to finally pull the trigger on these two for the first time ever.
Nakamura is one of the best wrestlers in the world, but his main roster run has had him on cruise control. Being one of the most recognizable performers with a hard striking style and theatrics that make him a perfect pairing for Punk and reignite the spark of classic Nakamura. I think a Last Man Standing match would be the right way to go about this match-up and put a stamp on both men's decades-long careers.
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