At 47 years old, CM Punk sits atop the WWE mountain as the World Heavyweight Champion, preparing for a main event showdown against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42. With his peers like John Cena and AJ Styles having recently wrapped up their in-ring careers, questions regarding Punk’s own longevity have naturally surfaced.
During a recent appearance on No Contest with TJ Jefferson and O’Shea Jackson Jr., the “Second City Saint” addressed whether he has considered a farewell tour similar to the one Cena embarked upon throughout 2025. Punk acknowledged the brilliance of Cena’s approach, noting its roots in Japanese wrestling traditions known as “retirement roads.” However, he was quick to pump the brakes on any speculation that he is eyeing the exit door.
“I really don’t know. It’s big in Japanese wrestling, the retirement tour. They’ve done that over there for many, many years. It was just new to Western wrestling fans. Cena did it, and I thought it was brilliant. Saying, ‘This is the last time you’re going to get to come see me. You get to see me wrestle or appear,’” Punk explained. “With me, I really don’t know. I almost don’t like talking about it because I don’t think it’s going to be anytime soon.”
Shrouded In Secrecy
While Cena opted for total transparency, announcing his retirement a year in advance to give fans a chance to say goodbye, Punk suggested his exit might be handled differently. True to his persona, he preferred keeping the audience guessing. He noted that the element of surprise and mystery is something he values in the wrestling business.
“The way our business is, I like to keep some things shrouded in secrecy and mystery. We’ll have to wait and see,” Punk said.
The Run Of His Life
The primary reason Punk is hesitant to discuss retirement is simple: he believes he is currently performing at his peak. Despite being in his late forties, the champion feels revitalized and sees no logical reason to stop while he is enjoying this level of success and artistic fulfillment.
“I’m trying to keep myself in one piece because I think I’m on the run of my life and doing the best work I’ve ever done. Why would I want to step away now?” Punk wondered.
Road To WrestleMania 42
Since returning to WWE in 2023, Punk has reclaimed the top spot in the promotion, culminating in his current reign as World Heavyweight Champion. Punk’s focus remains squarely on the immediate future and his collision course with Roman Reigns. The two are set to headline WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, a match that Reigns made official by challenging Punk on Raw.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit No Contest with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
