WWE legend shares different perspective on CM Punk’s SmackDown return

WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry offered his thoughts on CM Punk’s surprising alliance with Roman Reigns’ team for Survivor Series: WarGames. During Friday’s SmackDown, Paul Heyman announced Punk as the final member of the Original Bloodline’s squad.

Speaking on Busted Open, Henry pointed out an intriguing aspect of this development. “It was different last night. When has Punk ever been the savior? Punk has always been the assassin. He’s always been the problem,” Henry explained. “Never, never, ever was Punk the solution and the savior. It was so different and it felt different. Tell me I’m lying.”

Following the announcement, Punk emerged to help clear the ring of the new Bloodline alongside Reigns and his teammates, marking a notable shift in his typical character dynamics.

Carmelo Hayes references Punk’s AEW past after backstage clash with Cody Rhodes

CM PUNK ES MI AMIGO!! #Tranquilo 👊🏼
Don’t forget you lost with me but you don't need to feel bad because other kids too!!

— “EL IDOLO” ANDRADE (@AndradeElIdolo) November 23, 2024

The ripple effects of Punk’s return were felt elsewhere on SmackDown when Carmelo Hayes got into a physical altercation with Cody Rhodes backstage. After a heated exchange between Rhodes and Kevin Owens, the American Nightmare encountered Hayes and Giovanni Vinci backstage. Hayes made remarks echoing Owens’ earlier comments, leading to Rhodes shoving him before officials intervened.

Hayes later took to social media, writing: “Ran into Cm Punk. Just gave me the best advice to never lose a backstage fight again #SmackDown.” The post appeared to reference Punk’s well-documented backstage incidents during his AEW tenure.

Andrade joined the conversation, responding: “CM PUNK ES MI AMIGO!! #Tranquilo. Don’t forget you lost with me but you don’t need to feel bad because other kids too!!”

Following their confrontation, WWE announced a match between Hayes and Rhodes for next week’s SmackDown on November 29.