The escalating rivalry between CM Punk and Roman Reigns took a deeply personal turn recently, prompting a response from fellow WWE star Drew McIntyre. McIntyre addressed the situation during an appearance on the Complex Graps podcast, offering his perspective on Punk’s controversial promo and anticipating how Reigns might react to the pointed remarks.
The crux of the issue stems from a segment where Punk referenced Roman Reigns’ late father, Sika, a legendary figure in professional wrestling. Punk didn’t simply allude to Sika; he vowed to “bury” Reigns alongside him, a statement that ignited a firestorm of reaction from fans and within the wrestling community. This escalation adds a new layer of intensity to the already heated storyline leading up to their WrestleMania 42 match.
McIntyre acknowledged that harsh rhetoric is a common tactic in professional wrestling, often employed to gain a psychological edge over opponents. He believes Punk’s intention was to provoke the strongest possible reaction from Reigns, pushing the boundaries of acceptable discourse in pursuit of a competitive advantage. “I mean, I can’t produce comments about things said on the microphone to try and get in people’s heads,” McIntyre explained. “I’ve said the worst things imaginable to people, and Punk is trying to get in Roman’s head by saying the worst thing imaginable.”
He predicted a swift and physical response from Reigns, stating, “So, I imagine Roman’s going to come back next week and punch him in his face. And that’s probably what they need at this point, is not talk each other to death, is to start throwing some bombs.” McIntyre, having faced both Punk and Reigns in the ring, understands their capabilities when tensions reach a boiling point. He conceded, “It kills me to say like how good Punk is and how good Roman is. So, when they start throwing bombs, it’s going to be interesting.”
McIntyre also drew on his own experiences with Reigns, recalling instances where personal attacks led to significant consequences. He noted that once Reigns is personally targeted, a strong reaction typically follows. “But he wants to get that personal. I know what Roman can do when you get that personal. I said some horrible things about him in the past. He made my life hell for years. So, I’m curious to see the fallout of that,” McIntyre said.
When pressed on whether he genuinely believes CM Punk is a negative individual, McIntyre clarified that his assessment was limited to the context of professional wrestling. “I mean, there’s probably like worse, you know, people if we’re going to get real political and stuff, which I’m never going to do, but in the world of professional wrestling, he’s the worst human being. Yeah,” he stated.
McIntyre also revealed a preference for focusing on the success of SmackDown, the show he currently represents. “I won’t watch it live. I’ll watch the clip due to the fact that I’m focused on one thing, the show that’s been the better show since they had their little first showdown, and that’s SmackDown.” This comment underscores a broader narrative of rivalry not just between Punk and Reigns, but also between the Raw and SmackDown brands.
The tension between Punk and Reigns began to build after their confrontation on the March 2nd episode of WWE Raw, where they agreed to face each other at WrestleMania 42, according to Yahoo Sports. During that exchange, Reigns initially dismissed Punk, stating, “You’re not CM Punk, you’re just a punk a** bitch to me.”
This isn’t the first time McIntyre has been caught in the crossfire of this rivalry. He previously voiced his frustration with both Punk and Reigns for downplaying the importance of the Undisputed WWE Championship and SmackDown, as reported by The Sportster. He accused them of insecurity and obsession, defending the entire SmackDown roster against what he perceived as dismissive remarks.
McIntyre’s own issues with Punk and Reigns extend back further, as he detailed on the February 6th episode of SmackDown, following attacks by Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu. He accused both men of being preoccupied with him, and defended the legitimacy of the Undisputed WWE Championship, highlighting its history with wrestling icons like The Rock, Steve Austin, and Hulk Hogan, as detailed by Ringside News.
The situation remains fluid as WrestleMania 42 approaches. The next steps for Punk and Reigns, and whether Reigns will indeed respond with a physical altercation, will be closely watched by fans. The fallout from Punk’s comments and the potential for further escalation promise to keep this rivalry at the forefront of the WWE landscape.
What impact will this personal feud have on the match at WrestleMania 42? Share your thoughts in the comments below and be sure to share this article with fellow wrestling fans.
