There’s a sharp edge to CM Punk’s rivalries since his WWE return, a raw intensity that often leaves fans questioning where the performance ends and reality begins. His clashes with Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre have felt especially personal, and new reporting offers insight into why.
According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, the authenticity of Punk’s programs stems from real-life tension. The friction isn’t just an act—several of his top opponents genuinely don’t like him, giving their on-screen hostility a believable foundation. “He always brings out the best in his opponents partially because a lot of his opponents truly don’t like him,” Meltzer explained. “It’s believable because it’s actually true. That was the case with McIntyre to a degree and with Rollins probably as big a degree or more. It’s all a work, but there are seeds of reality, and they magnify it very well.” (h/t Wrestling Inc)
That element of truth fueled Punk’s punishing months-long feud with McIntyre. After Punk tore his triceps at the Royal Rumble earlier this year, McIntyre’s relentless taunts only intensified their rivalry. The storyline culminated at Bad Blood, where the two settled the score inside Hell in a Cell.
Now the focus has shifted to Rollins. At WrestlePalooza this weekend, Punk teams with his wife, AJ Lee, against Rollins and Becky Lynch in a mixed tag team match.
The bout not only continues Punk’s personal war with Rollins but also marks Lee’s first WWE match in more than a decade—adding another layer of intrigue to a rivalry where reality and performance remain tightly intertwined.