John Cena and CM Punk are known for competing against each other with renewed intensity inside the squared circle. However, right before their all-important match at Night of Champions 2025, Cena had some interesting thoughts on Punk’s professional wrestling career during an interaction at Chicago Fan Expo. The 17-time World Champion shared:
I wish he didn’t have to take all that time off because we could have had some more matches, but I’m grateful for the moments we’ve had. And I think that, I think we just, we both want to sit in front. We both really love the business.
These remarks reflect that Cena not only enjoys working with Punk but respects the ideals he has stood for during the course of his career.
John Cena Praises CM Punk for His Commitment to the Company
John Cena further addressed the common points between him and CM Punk. He stated that both of them want the same spot in the world of professional wrestling. Cena appreciated the love Punk carries for WWE in his heart. While talking about the difference between others who want to climb the ladder of success in the company and Punk, Cena further shared:
A lot of people that want that front spot, purely want it for selfish reasons. Every once in a while, you get somebody who wants to sit in the front that loves the business, and we love it in different ways, too.
The seeds of one of the most iconic storyline feuds were sown during their first confrontation against each other in November 2009, but the rivalry was cultivated in real senses in 2011, when, during the June 27, 2011 episode of Monday Night RAW (via WWE), Punk delivered the legendary Pipebomb promo, addressing WWE authority directly and their face, John Cena.
The remarks from the Second City Saint blurred the lines between storyline and reality. To make matters worse for Cena, he was defeated by Punk at Money in the Bank 2011 and won the WWE Championship on the last day of his contract with the company.
Punk went on to dominate throughout 2011 in his rivalry with John Cena, but was ultimately defeated in 2013 on the road to WrestleMania 29. Their high-stakes clash determined who would go on to face The Rock at the biggest event of the year.
John Cena vs CM Punk: Memorable Clash at Night of Champions That Defined Their Rivalry
The rivalry between these prolific performers inside the ring culminated in their iconic match at Night of Champions 2025 in Saudi Arabia. This was part of WWE making the fans re-live the monumental feuds Cena had during the course of his career on his retirement tour.
The roles had evidently changed by the time Cena entered the squared circle against Punk for the final time. The Second City Saint, who had been the anti-establishment figure during his career, was now the top babyface of the company, while Cena had turned heel. But the intensity inside the ring never faded away between them.
There were several oscillating moments in the clash when it appeared that either of these superstars would outperform the other. However, the clash kept moving to-and-fro with no clear winner in sight until Seth Rollins showed up with the Money in the Bank briefcase.
That interruption from the self-styled ‘Visionary of the WWE’ cost CM Punk the golden opportunity to defeat his arch-rival for the final time and become the WWE Champion once again. Rollins cost CM Punk the match as Cena viciously attacked him to win the entire thing.
Cena was the ultimate winner of the showdown clash between him and Punk. The clash delivered a statement in itself: expect the unexpected from John Cena and CM Punk inside the ring.
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