CM Punk’s Top Mic Moments Leading Up to Royal Rumble 2025

Punk stepped up to the plate and took on two of the most formidable microphone heavyweights, and he knocked it out of the park with his cutting remarks. Stick with me on this baseball analogy.

After delivering his electrifying pipebomb promo, the anticipation for Money In The Bank in Chicago was reaching a fever pitch. Punk was set to challenge John Cena in a match filled with high stakes; if Punk claimed victory, he’d walk away from WWE as the champion, and John Cena would be given the boot.

In a desperate bid to keep Punk on board, Vince McMahon himself jumped into the fray, trying to hammer out a new deal live on Monday Night Raw just days before the big event. Vince strutted in his usual cocky manner, but Punk quickly reminded him about who really called the shots.

Punk physically shoved his boss (a clause allowed in the contract), demanded the return of WWE ice bars (why don’t we have those yet?), and threw in this zinger: “Vince, I’ll kick you in the nuts, and you’ll smile at me and like it, and show me some respect!”

Before long, Cena stepped in, which sent Punk over the edge when Cena accused him of losing focus. Punk didn’t hold back, delivering a stinging reality check on Cena’s character and his place in the wrestling hierarchy: The 10-time champion, who loved to portray himself as the plucky underdog, was anything but. He was no longer the feisty Boston Red Sox from his hometown; instead, he had turned into the reviled New York Yankees. Baseball, remember?

Cena didn’t take kindly to the jab and swung at Punk, forcing him to retreat to the same spot where he had delivered his pipebomb weeks earlier. Sitting on the ramp, he confided:

“I’m glad you just punched me in the face, John… because it hit me like a lightning bolt exactly why I don’t want to be here anymore. It’s because I’m sick of this. I’m sick of you. I’m just exhausted.”

With that declaration, Punk made it clear that after Sunday night’s Money In The Bank, WWE would have to bid farewell to its title, say goodbye to John Cena, and prepare for life without CM Punk.

And just like that, a story was sold, setting the stage for an unmissable event, witnessed by what Punk cheekily dubbed the George Steinbrenner and Derek Jeter of the WWE. More baseball metaphors! While Punk’s performance often gets overshadowed by the colossal impact of the pipebomb, many would argue it’s just as potent. And undeniably epic.