CM Punk has revealed that his feud with WWE Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio is strictly part of the show, explaining that off camera he serves as a mentor to his on-screen rival. The admission came during his appearance on Kevin Hart’s show Cold As Balls, where Punk spoke openly about their relationship beyond the ring.
Punk noted that, despite Mysterio’s public claims of hating him, their real dynamic is very different. “But every morning, Dominik starts his day with a phone call to Uncle Phil. That’s me. We talk. We talk about life,” Punk said. This candid remark highlighted the bond between the two, contrasting sharply with their kayfabe rivalry.
Their on-screen feud has featured heated exchanges, including Mysterio calling Punk a “washed up old f–k” and Punk once urging fans to throw toilet paper at Mysterio. The storyline has mostly unfolded at untelevised live events, notably when Mysterio cost Punk a World Heavyweight Championship match against GUNTHER in Chicago.
The topic surfaced when Hart asked Punk to name future WWE main event stars. While Punk admitted to disliking many on the roster, he immediately pointed to Bron Breakker as an “obvious, bona fide WrestleMania main event superstar.” He then turned to his mentorship of Mysterio, underscoring the unique off-screen dynamic between them.
Punk’s connection to the Mysterio family extends back years. He remains close friends with Rey Mysterio, despite their heated on-screen rivalry in 2010. After Punk’s WWE return in late 2023, one of his first in-ring appearances was against Dominik at a house show, marking his first WWE match in nearly a decade.