Drew McIntyre’s decision to remain silent after a pointed remark from CM Punk during a WWE Raw promo last year is now clearer following a new report. Speaking to Metro in 2024 about the confrontation, McIntyre explained his choice not to retaliate on the microphone.
“What was going through my mind was I could respond right now, and would it be a good look for our company?” McIntyre said. “I had a couple of things in mind that would have melted the internet, but potentially hurt us in different ways.”
That choice to “hold his tongue” now appears more significant. According to a September 2025 Q&A from Fightful Select, CM Punk’s line from that March 25, 2024 promo—a clear reference to Vince McMahon—was not approved by WWE creative.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful addressed the moment directly. “Vince was a no-go in any sense,” Sapp stated, noting that both McMahon and Brock Lesnar were subjects to be avoided on television. He then specified that Punk’s jab was likely an ad-lib. “That line [from Punk] — according to people I talked to — claim it wasn’t [scripted]. They claim it was not scripted… People weren’t thrilled about that line.”
While that verbal incident from over a year ago is now being re-examined, Punk is currently involved in another intensely personal rivalry. This past Sunday, on August 31 at Clash in Paris, Becky Lynch interfered in the World Heavyweight Championship match, delivering a low blow to Punk that allowed her husband, Seth Rollins, to secure the victory.
The conflict escalated on the September 1 episode of Raw. Lynch confronted Punk in the ring, culminating in her slapping him across the face. After the segment, Punk announced he will be at the upcoming SmackDown on September 5 in his hometown of Chicago.
Following these events, reports indicate that a mixed tag team match is planned for Wrestlepalooza on September 20, which would see Punk team with his wife, the returning AJ Lee, to face Rollins and Lynch. Sources suggest it is a “forgone conclusion” that Lee will appear at this Friday’s SmackDown to kickstart her return.