Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura has acknowledged that many will have been surprised by him attending WWE RAW, given his past issues with the company. The WWE Hall of Famer/former Governor of Minnesota was at the July 29, episode of the Red brand which took place in St. Paul, Minnesota. On Twitter, WWE cameras shared Ventura’s meeting with WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque.
Though a wrestler and broadcaster in the WWF for years, Ventura’s return to WWE is something of a surprise. In 1991, Ventura brought litigation against the promotion after discovering that non-feature performers received royalties on videotape sales but he had not. Four years earlier, Ventura had waived his rights to royalties on videotape sales when he was falsely told that only feature performers received such royalties.
The case entered federal court and Ventura won $801,333 when a jury ruled in his favor. The judge also awarded Ventura $8,625 in back pay for all non-video WWF merchandising featuring Ventura. The suit soured Ventura’s relationship with WWE, which had consistently been under strain due to Ventura’s previous attempts to form a union in wrestling.
Despite this, Ventura was welcomed back for SummerSlam 1999 (after his Governor victory) and he officiated the Minnesota pay-per-view’s main event. Ventura also returned for an ‘Old School Raw’ in 2009 in which he once again donned the headset alongside Vince McMahon on commentary.
Seth Rollins has revealed the official rules for the WWE SummerSlam showdown between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre. Rollins opens the July 29th episode of WWE Raw by explaining his role as the special guest referee for the highly anticipated matchup, which has been building up since the Royal Rumble.
This is just the appetizer, baby. You gotta tune into #SummerSlam on Saturday for the main course…we’re gonna be eatin’ goooood! pic.twitter.com/iTlH4C7KMh
The Visionary invited Punk and McIntyre into the ring, then broke down exactly how he will be calling the action at the premium live event this Saturday in Cleveland. Rollins states that there is only one rule: both men must listen to everything that he says.
There is only one regulation. You two will listen to EVERYTHING I have to say. I call the shots. I’m the boss. I’m the law. I count to three when I want to count to three. You tap out, when I say you tap out. If there’s a count-out to be had, maybe there won’t be any count-outs I don’t know. I might count to ten, I might count to twenty, I might count to a million. Disqualifications? Referee’s discretion.
Rollins continued, telling his rivals that if either man disputes what he says, or gets in his way, there will be consequences.
I’m not some little referee you can just push around. I’m a spiteful little bastard and I will put your head in the dirt.
Punk was the first person to respond, telling Rollins that he better stay out of his way and let him finish his business with McIntyre. The segment ended with the Scottish Warrior holding Punk’s bracelet that has AJ Lee and his dog Larry’s name on it, a taunt that Punk was unable to do anything about.
Rollins officially got tangled up in this heated feud between McIntyre and Punk after Punk cost him the world heavyweight championship at Money In The Bank. He was initially supposed to defend the title against Punk at WrestleMania XL before the Second City Saint tore his triceps during the 2024 Royal Rumble, an injury that McIntyre proudly takes credit for.
CM Punk vs Drew McIntyre is an unlikely feud that has turned into one of the most engaging elements of WWE RAW over 2024, with both men blurring the lines of kayfabe and reality to build to their massive match at SummerSlam.
If you haven’t had a chance to watch every second of this big feud, then we’ve got you covered with this guide on the timeline of events that has led to SummerSlam 2024.
The Beginning: CM Punk’s Injury
CM Punk’s Return and Injury
CM Punk made a triumphant return to WWE in late November 2023, sparking excitement among fans as it felt like that something that would never come to pass, especially after his backstage issues in AEW.
However, during the Royal Rumble in January 2024, Drew McIntyre hit a Futureshock DDT that resulted in Punk suffering a torn triceps. This injury sidelined Punk but also sowed the seeds for the feud, which had somewhat started in December 2023 when McIntyre alluded to there being potential backstage upset at RAW if Punk signed with the show, saying that he should go to SmackDown instead.
Drew McIntyre’s Reaction
Following Punk’s injury, McIntyre didn’t hold back his disdain. On RAW, McIntyre infamously stated, “I prayed for this and it happened,” adding fuel to the fire of the feud that many weren’t expecting to see as part of Punk’s return.
His then attack on Punk’s injured arm solidified him as a top heel on RAW and gave Punk a reason to be off television to rehab his injury.
WrestleMania 40: The Turning Point
The rivalry reached new heights at WrestleMania 40. With Punk unable to compete due to his injury, McIntyre took the “opportunity” to step into the World Heavyweight Championship match against Seth Rollins, which many expected to be Punk’s role before his injury in January.
Despite his injury, Punk somewhat inserted himself into the match by taking up a position at the commentary table. As McIntyre celebrated after taking the win against Seth Rollins, Punk struck.
Punk’s interference caused enough of a distraction to McIntyre to allow Damian Priest to cash in his Money in the Bank contract, who then beat Drew and robbed him of his World Championship moment in front of fans at a WrestleMania for the very first time.
McIntyre, who had walked the line between hero and villain up to that point, began a descent into a darker, more obsessive character.
Clash at the Castle: A Homecoming Spoiled
The next chapter in their saga unfolded at Clash at the Castle in Scotland, the Premium Live Event that took place in McIntyre’s home country.
With the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the line, McIntyre seemed destined to claim victory in front of his countrymen against Damian Priest, the man who cashed in on him at WrestleMania 40.
However, Punk once again proved to be McIntyre’s nemesis, interfering in the match and costing the Scottish Warrior his chance at glory.
This moment was particularly poignant in the feud, as it not only denied McIntyre a championship victory but also robbed him of a career-defining moment in front of his home crowd, much like how he was screwed against Roman Reigns at the Clash at the Castle event in Wales.
Money in the Bank: Dreams Denied AGAIN
The Money in the Bank event provided yet another moment for Punk and McIntyre’s ongoing war.
McIntyre, having earned the coveted Money in the Bank briefcase, attempted to cash in for a championship opportunity earlier in the night cashed in during the match between Damian Priest and Seth Rollins.
However, Punk emerged to ensure that McIntyre’s efforts would be in vain, and his interference meant that Damian Priest would win the now triple threat match. It wasn’t just McIntyre that was scorned though, Rollins was visibly livid at Punk costing him the match, and it would lead on to the next beat of the storyline.
What else happened in this feud?
RAW Promo Segments
Throughout Punk’s recovery period, the rivalry between the two superstars continued to simmer, largely played out through social media exchanges and sporadic appearances by Punk.
These interactions served to keep the feud fresh in the minds of fans, even in the absence of physical confrontations.
Punk used every opportunity to needle McIntyre, taunting him about his failed championship attempts and questioning his ability to succeed at the highest level of WWE.
McIntyre, in turn, became increasingly unhinged in his responses, his character evolving into that of a man consumed by his hatred for Punk.
The Blurred Lines of Reality
One of the most intriguing aspects of the CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre rivalry has been its ability to blur the lines between scripted storyline and genuine animosity.
Both men have a reputation for being outspoken and unafraid to voice their true feelings, leading to speculation among fans about how much of their feud is performance and how much is rooted in actual real-life tension.
This ambiguity has added an extra layer of intrigue to their interactions, with fans scrutinizing every word and action for hints of genuine emotion.
One of the most recent moments on X/Twitter that caused a huge stir online was the involvement of Jack Perry, the man that CM Punk fought backstage at AEW All In, with McIntyre posting an image of he and Perry stood together. McIntyre would later delete the tweet, adding further to fan speculation ahead of SummerSlam.
The SummerSlam Match: CM Punk vs Drew McIntyre with Seth Rollins in the middle
It was revealed on the July 22 2024 episode of RAW that Seth Rollins, the man who has had issues with both men over the past year, will be the official for the contest.
Rivalry History Video
You can watch a full CM Punk vs Drew McIntyre rivalry history video below from WWE:
Welsh fighter Oban Elliott, who competes in the UFC, has teased appearing at WWE’s first-ever PLE in Germany ‘Bash In Berlin.’ Appearing at the UFC 304 post-show press conference in London, Elliot was asked about a recent visit to WWE. The fighter was coy and said that he has some “Business in Berlin under the TKO banner.”
When another reporter asked Elliott about potentially fighting at UFC’s November 2024 in Madison Square Garden, the conversation once again turned to WWE. The fighter said he’d love to walk out to either Hulk Hogan or The Rock’s music, and possibly have CM Punk walk out with him inside WWE’s old stomping ground.
WWE Bash In Berlin
The first-ever PLE in Germany, Bash in Berlin will take place on August 31, from the Uber Arena. The previous night will see a taping of WWE SmackDown from the same venue. At this time, no matches have been confirmed for the show. The show is the latest in a trend of WWE PLE’s in Europe and will follow Clash at the Castle events in Wales, and Glasgow, Money in the Bank 2023 in London, and WWE Backlash: France in Lyon.
CM Punk has expressed interest in joining John Cena’s WWE retirement tour next year but isn’t looking to reignite their storied rivalry.
Pro wrestling had a major presence at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 over the weekend, with stars from WWE and AEW participating in various stage panels.
During the ‘Mattel WWE’ panel at Comic-Con, Punk was asked about potential tag team partners. In a lighthearted moment, he jokingly named his dog Larry, who recently got his first merchandise at WWE Shop. Punk then shared a more serious answer:
“If I had to tag up with somebody to beat some people up, it would probably be Larry. Everybody’s asking me because John Cena has announced his retirement, and they obviously want to see us fight each other. I think there’s something to me and him tagging. I think that could be pretty interesting.”
Punk also likened his dynamic with Cena to that of Batman and Superman, highlighting the unique chemistry between the two wrestling icons.
CM Punk was one of John Cena’s greatest rivals, so it’s only fitting that he’s involved in the retirement tour in some capacity. Fans can look forward to seeing how this collaboration unfolds as Cena bids farewell to the WWE ring. The contrast between Cena’s prototypical superhero and Punk’s anti-hero persona created a compelling dynamic that captivated audiences. Their matches were often critically acclaimed, showcasing both men’s in-ring and storytelling abilities. Their rivalry produced several iconic moments, including Punk’s infamous pipebomb promo and their Money in the Bank 2011 match, often hailed as one of the greatest matches of this century.
Punk returns to action this weekend at WWE SummerSlam when he wrestles Drew McInture (with Seth Rollins as guest referee) in his first match since the Royal Rumble in January 2024.
John Cena has already declared that he’ll be at the first episode of WWE Raw when it moves to Netflix in January 2025, and intends to wrestle in the 2025 WWE Royal Rumble later that month.
CM Punk and John Cena may have been fierce rivals, but the Best in the World is more interested in teaming with the 16-time World Champion soon.
Speaking at a San Diego Comic-Con panel, Punk was asked about who he’d like to team with now that he’s back in WWE. While Punk’s first choice was Larry, his dog who now has official merch, John Cena was his second pick.
“Everybody’s asking me because (John) Cena has announced his retirement that, you know, obviously they wanna see us fight each other. I think there’s something to me and him tagging. I think that can be pretty interesting.”
Cena and Punk feuded in 2011 as part of the acclaimed ‘Summer of Punk’ that included Punk’s scathing Pipebomb on the June 27, 2011, edition of Monday Night RAW. Punk would ‘leave’ WWE as WWE Champion at Money in the Bank that year only to return eight days later and continue his feud with John.
Teaming with Cena was one of the last acts Punk would perform during his first WWE run before walking out of the company in January 2014. The pair last teamed during the December 18, 2013, edition of WWE SmackDown and earned a (DQ) victory over the Shield.
John Cena’s Retirement Tour
Cena shared at Money in the Bank 2024 that 2025 will be his final year wrestling, ending what will be a legendary 23-year career on WWE’s main roster. Already, several names have put themselves forward as potential opponents. Cena’s WrestleMania 27 adversary The Miz has said he’d love to be part of John’s farewell tour, as does ex-WWE Superstar Matt Cardona. Cena has said he does not have (or wish to use) the backstage sway to pick matches for his tour.
CM Punk says AJ Lee is well aware of the options she has in terms of a potential wrestling return but it’s not something he is pushing her to do.
The potential return of the former Divas Champion continues to be a topic of discussion among fans as WWE has incorporated her name in Punk’s ongoing storyline with Drew McIntyre. NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez most recently said that the former World Champion himself is also trying to convince AJ to make a return.
When asked about it during a recent interview with Ringside Collectibles at the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con, Punk said that he is not pushing AJ in any way. According to him if a discussion was to take place about Lee returning under a legends deal or even signing up for a new action figure, he would like to stay out of that conversation:
“I’m the wrong guy to ask those questions about. My stance—I know there’s a lot out there of that—but I certainly am not pushing her to do anything. I think she knows that there’s options. I think she sees how happy I am and how things are different.
But if the right situation presented itself, it would have to be a discussion between her and certain people. I don’t necessarily want to be in the middle of that; just because it could get kind of weird. Selfishly, yes, I would love to make out with my wife on television again.”
While fans are hoping to see AJ Lee return to the ring as an active competitor, the chances of that are slim considering all the other projects the former wrestling star is involved in.
Though you can never say never in wrestling and the ongoing intense personal rivalry between Punk and McIntyre seems to be the perfect opportunity to reintroduce the former champion on WWE TV.
Apart from this, CM Punk also reflected on the Straight Edge Society faction and commented on potentially leading a new group with NXT stars. You can check out his full interview below:
CM Punk has revealed that former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon’s departure from the company paved the way for his return.
‘The Second City Savior’ spoke to Denise Salcedo at San Diego Comic Con and said that Vince McMahon being out of the picture was one of the factors for his comeback to the company after a decade.
“No, because it was never a thing that I was yearning to do. There were a lot of things that had to happen for the pathway to kind of clear. The stars had to align. There had to be a full moon. A lot of dominoes fell in order for us to get here. There was a never a, ‘Man, I’d really like to go back.’
He added:
“Vince (McMahon) being out of the picture probably illuminated the way. That might have been one of the biggest things. That’s both ways, for everybody who is going to sensationalize a headline. It wasn’t me, it wasn’t him, there’s just a lot of history there. All of a sudden, one of us is removed from the equation, and I think it changed a lot of things.”
Vince McMahon had stepped down from his roles in June 2022 after it came to light that he was involved in a hush-money scandal with former WWE employees. He returned the following year as executive chairman of the TKO Group Holdings. However, he left WWE yet again earlier this year due to Janel Grant’s lawsuit which alleged abuse and trafficking.
Meanwhile, CM Punk returned to WWE last year at WWE Survivor Series and shocked the pro wrestling fraternity. During the interview, Punk also stated that he knew his surprise return would be a big deal. The former WWE Champion competed in his first WWE match in almost ten years at the 2024 Royal Rumble. Unfortunately, he suffered torn tricep during the match and has been on the shelf ever since.
The former WWE Champion is set to make his comeback at next month’s SummerSlam where he will face his arch-rival Drew McIntyre. It was also recently announced that Seth Rollins will serve as the Special Guest Referee.
CM Punk is enjoying his current WWE run so much that’s already thinking beyond the length of his current 3-year deal. According to respected wrestling journalist and podcaster Ibou of WrestlePurists, Punk is looking to restructure and extend his deal.
“I can tell you right now that he is in the process of trying to get his deal restructured from a money and years standpoint. Punk’s legitimate stance right now is if all goes well I will never leave. That’s his legitimate standpoint. He wants to be here ‘forever,’ is the actual word he used.”
Ibou, WrestlePurists, 7/22 WWE Raw Youtube Review
What does CM Punk Want?
Punk is gearing up to return from injury and wrestle his first match since Jauary next weekend at WWE SummerSlam. According to sources close to Punk, he’s interested in spending the latter years of his pro wrestling career giving back to the next generations.
” Basically, he wants this to work out, he wants to get paid, and then he wants, when it’s time to slow it down, to slow it down and just run NXT.”
Ibou, WrestlePurists, 7/22 WWE Raw Youtube Review
Despite his injury at WWE Royal Rumble, Punk has been a bonafide team player while healing from a torn triceps. He’s still managed to appear on WWE television, but has also found some solace in helping out down in NXT. Additionally he’s found some pre-show chemistry with Big E during big WWE kick-off shows.
However, Punk’s absence from the ring is soon to come to an end as just this past Monday on WWE Raw, Punk revealed that he’s medically cleared to wrestle and will face Drew McInytre at SummerSlam with Seth Rollins as the special guest referee.
Punk is not on the best of terms with Rollins after he cost Seth his WWE World Title chances against Damian Priest at Money In The Bank. That story will continue on as Rollins will lay out the ground rules next week to both Punk and McIntyre, who aren’t allowed to lay a hand on one another until SummerSlam.
MJF has some choice words to describe his mentor CM Punk.
The current AEW International Champion’s rivalry with the Straight Edge Star remains one of the most memorable feuds in the history of Tony Khan’s promotion to date.
Due to the abrupt end of Punk’s AEW run, the Salt of The Earth never got a proper closure on their feud. He still seems to have learned a lot from the wrestling veteran, to the point where he considers Punk a mentor of his.
The former world champion recently had an interview with Casual Conversations podcast. During a segment on the show, he was asked to describe certain superstars.
The name of Cody Rhodes came up first, who MJF described as a mentor. When asked about CM Punk, the scumbag explained that he was also a mentor, but in a completely opposite way:
“I think I would use the word mentor through hate. So I was mentored by probably two of the most intelligent guys in the business. One was through love and one was through hate.”
MJF started a feud with CM Punk in late 2021, only a few months after Punk’s debut for the company in August. They first encountered each other as opponents in a six-man tag team match at the December 22, 2021 episode of Dynamite.
The two would continue this rivalry for the next few months, leading to some of the most entertaining and memorable promo battles in the history of pro wrestling.
They had two singles matches during this rivalry. MJF won the first one at the February 2, 2022 episode of Dynamite with help from Wardlow. CM Punk would then get his win back at the 2022 Revolution PPV on March 6, when Wardlow turned on Maxwell.
Punk would move on a world title feud with the then-champion Adam Page after this, leading to him winning the AEW title at Double or Nothing in May. He was forced to take a hiatus from the company only 5 days after due to a foot injury.
The rest of Punk’s AEW run was bogged down by injuries and backstage drama. As a result, MJF would never get the chance to renew this rivalry before the former AEW star’s departure in September 2023.
Posted July 24th, 2024 in AEW. Tagged: CM Punk, MJF.
Fans of AJ Lee could see her back in the ring in the future, if Roxanne Perez and Lee’s husband CM Punk have anything to say about it. It’s been over nine years since the former WWE Divas Champion competed in WWE, with her final match being on the post-WrestleMania 31 RAW in 2015.
“I try (to talk to CM Punk about convincing A.J. Lee to return) but he tells me that he’s doing the same thing. He’s trying to get her to come back, he’s pulling her in but, I hope one day she decides to come back and have a match with me.”
In April, a rumor went around that WWE was actively working on recruiting AJ but that she wanted a memorable return rather than a one-off appearance. We later confirmed that this rumor was not true, and while she is well-liked and respected in WWE, her return was not a topic of discussion. At the WWE Money in the Bank post-show event, CM Punk also downplayed the idea of his wife’s return, saying he didn’t want to give fans false hope and is proud of AJ for “doing her own thing.”
If AJ Lee returns to WWE, there’ll be no shortage of delighted fans. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest from the world of WWE and beyond.
WWE has officially confirmed CM Punk’s in-ring return match against Drew McIntyre for the upcoming SummerSlam 2024 event with a twist.
This week’s episode of Monday Night Raw featured a segment with the Straight Edge Star. Punk cut a promo on Drew McIntyre and tried to attack him when the Scottish Psychopath showed up at the ringside.
Adam Pearce however, brought in security to restrain the former AEW Star. He went on to announced a match between the two for the upcoming PLE, while also warning them of a suspension on getting physical before that.
Pearce then mentioned how he has a ‘referee’ problem which was the perfect cue for Seth Rollins. The Architect shaked Pearce’s hand and mentioned that no one wants to referee the match between the two WWE stars. He confirmed that he will be officiating the match at the upcoming show.
WWE recently announced the return of the Bad Blood brand for a PLE to occur this October from Atlanta. The first one—formally titled In Your House: Badd Blood—occurred in 1997, featuring the first ever Hell in a Cell match between The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels, culminating in the debut of Kane. The show returned in 2003 and 2004, headlined by Triple H working Hell in a Cell matches first with Kevin Nash, then Michaels.
After twenty years, Bad Blood is back. There’s no guarantee we’ll see the Cell, but it does feel like a natural choice given the history of the event. Moreover, WWE’s been building precisely the kind of feud that would warrant a big-time Hell in a Cell main event: CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre.
CM Punk Vs. Drew McIntyre Is The Hottest Feud In WWE
CM Punk’s return to WWE was one of the biggest stories in wrestling at the turn of the year. There was a real risk of it fizzling just as it got started, though, as Punk went down to injury in his first televised match back—the men’s Royal Rumble—and had to miss WrestleMania.
WWE pivoted very nicely as Drew McIntyre took credit for the injury. The months to follow saw Punk three times directly cost McIntyre the World Heavyweight Championship–at WrestleMania, Clash at the Castle, and Money in the Bank–in addition the Scotsman beating Punk bloody on an episode of SmackDown.
This intense series of events, paired with the promo skills put on display by both participants have elevated this feud. Against the odds, it’s the hottest issue in WWE without the men involved working a single match together (aside from the Rumble).
Patience Has Been A Virtue In CM Punk Vs. Drew McIntyre Storytelling
While CM Punk’s injury has protected against rushing the CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre feud too much, WWE has also been shrewd in its storytelling. Punk and McIntyre have never entirely taken their eyes off each other even as McIntyre has engaged in other pursuits like chasing Seth Rollins and Damian Priest for the World Heavyweight Championship. Moreover, they’ve built in some pacing like McIntyre pretending to quit the company, then getting suspended coming out of Money in the Bank.
Given the pace to date, it feels realistic WWE can carry forward without a match between these two until SummerSlam or later and, in any event, the pairing should still feel fresh enough to be a draw headlining Bad Blood.
The Promise And Pitfalls Of Adding Seth Rollins To The Mix
Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk looked like the clear direction for WrestleMania 40 before Punk went down to injury. WWE has nicely reignited the on-screen heat between them when Punk got in the middle of The Visionary’s business at Money in the Bank, going after Drew McIntyre.
Might WWE add Rollins more formally into the mix, including making this prospective Hell in a Cell showdown a triple threat? There are merits to the idea.
After all, one of the biggest questions surrounding Punk right now is his ability to deliver in a big match scenario. He looked a little sluggish in the Royal Rumble and got injured again, following an AEW run that was riddled with major injuries at all the worst times. If there’s anyone on the current WWE roster who can singlehandedly elevate match quality, it would have to be Rollins. The Visionary could enhance the existing match or be a key contributor if Punk were to get hurt and necessitate a change in plans on the fly.
On the other hand, Punk vs. McIntyre is hot enough that it’s more than worthy of its own epic blow off. Transitioning Punk into a feud focused on Rollins after he finishes his business with McIntyre makes all the sense in the world. As such, Rollins having some involvement with the finish or immediate aftermath of this match makes sense, but it may not be the best call to officially add him.
Alternatives Or Additions To CM Punk Vs. Drew McIntyre In Hell In A Cell
On a literal level, it’s overstating it to say CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre is the only match that could close Bad Blood 2024. It may well be the best choice, but world championships also offer obvious options. Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa probably isn’t going to be a “one and done” title program and could bleed into October. Meanwhile, Gunther awaits his World Heavyweight Championship opportunity at SummerSlam and however things play out between him and (presumably) Damian Priest may dictate a feud that could warrant the Cell, too.
Perhaps the most intriguing option of all would be to put Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan in the Cell. Their storyline and involvement with Dominik Mysterio has been a focal point of Raw for months now, culminating in a major moment when The Eradicator returned to close the July 8 episode of Raw. Ripley and Morgan have the talent and the heat behind their feud that they could also justify this kind of spotlight—especially if the current or a future injury were to prevent Punk from headlining the show.
In the end, WWE reviving the Bad Blood brand is doing exactly what it should in tapping into nostalgia and creating buzz. One of WWE’s most buzzworthy feuds should get the chance to headline the show.
Fans of CM Punk can now showcase their love for his dog Larry, thanks to WWE Shop’s latest merchandise line featuring the charming pup. WWE Shop currently has two Larry-centric shirts for sale as seen in the images below.
Both shirts cost $32.99 (not including shipping) and range in sizes from small to 3XL. Larry has now stepped foot (or rather, paw) in the history books as the first WWE pet to have their own line of shirts.
Larry The Dog
Larry gets his name from Larry Talbot, the titular Wolf Man of the iconic 1941 Universal Monsters film and its subsequent sequels. While Larry has yet to appear on WWE TV alongside Punk, Drew McIntyre took aim at the “stupid-looking dog” during a June 2024 edition of RAW. The Scottish Warrior ridiculed CM Punk for wearing a bracelet with the name of his dog and wife, which earned a loud “Larry” chant from the Indianapolis crowd.
A WWE t-shirt isn’t the only way to show your Larry fandom, as he was recently immortalized as an action figure. Larry and Punk are part of a new line of wrestling figures created by Zombie Sailor’s Toys as part of their Heels and Faces line. AEW also released their own Larry shirt during Punk’s time with the company though it is no longer available to purchase.
CM Punk has been announced for tonight’s WWE Monday Night RAW, which will serve as the penultimate RAW before SummerSlam 2024. Fans are eager to hear what Punk has to say on tonight’s show and where his deeply personal feud with Drew McIntyre will go next.
Want to know more about all the latest updates in the world of wrestling merch? Make sure to check out our Wrestling Merchandise section for all the details.
AJ Lee has confirmed several upcoming projects under her Scrappy Hearts production company amid rumors about her potential WWE return.
The former Divas Champion was interviewed by Screen Rant during the Tribeca Film Festival. She was there promoting her new movie Sacramento starring Michael Angarano, Michael Cera, and Kristen Stewart in lead roles.
During the interview, Lee real name April Mendez, was asked if she has any projects in the works under her Scrappy Heart Productions banner. The former WWE star revealed that they have several projects ready to be launched with the goal of telling stories of underrepresented communities:
“We have an original comic book coming out very soon, and we have a short film that is about to hit the festival circuit and a horror movie that is next in list and ready to go.
So we are really excited to show you what we have at Scrappy Heart Productions. We’re trying to represent underrepresented communities, like my, like the Latino community. We want us to be the stars of our own stories and we’re really fighting for that.”
Scrappy Hearts Production is a company AJ Lee started with Aimee Garcia. Garcia is known for her roles in shows such as Lucifer and How To Train Your Dragon.
A potential WWE return for the former champion has been a topic of discussion among fans since her husband, CM Punk returned to the company last year at Survivor Series.
The repeated mention of Lee in Punk’s ongoing feud with Drew McIntyre has only added fuel to the fire and there were even rumors that AJ could make an appearance at last Saturday’s Money In The Bank PPV.
Though when asked about it in the post-show media scrum, Punk had alluded to all the projects his wife was working on. The latest comments from the former WWE star only further confirm that she is not very likely to make time from her busy schedule for a wrestling comeback.
CM Punk has teased one more match with John Cena before his retirement,
One of the biggest surprises of the Money In The Bank 2024 PPV was the unannounced appearance of John Cena. The Cenation Leader cut a promo during the show and announced that WrestleMania 41 will be his last.
The Straight Edge star who was part of the post-show press conference was asked about the big announcement from his arch-rival. Punk revealed what he told the Peacemaker star when they ran into each other backstage after the segment:
“I know he is busy, he’s filming Peacemaker. So I figured he was leaving right away. I was pleasantly surprised to run into him afterwards, and I told him, I’ll be the guy that drags him out of retirement.
This retirement that he says he’s going to adhere to, and that’s it. When the final one happens, that’s going to be it. Like 15 years, I’ll drag him out of retirement.”
One More Time: CM Punk
CM Punk discussed what John Cena means to his career and said that he feels proud at being an integral part of Cena’s run. He then teased one final showdown with the 16-time world champion before he calls it a career:
“But Cena, I think to my career means a lot. I don’t think there’s many people up in that rare air where if you talk about my career, I feel you have to talk about John. And makes me feel proud that I think if you talk about John’s career, I think you have to talk about me. We’re married in that respect, so proud of him.
He gets to go out on his terms. I know that’s important. I’m looking forward to what he does. And I told him that if it’s going to be one more time, we gotta do it at least one more time.”
John Cena was also part of the press conference where he provided some more details on his retirement tour. You can check out what he said here.
CM Punk says he would love to see AJ Lee return to WWE but it’s a decision she is going to have to make for herself.
The Straight Edge star took part in the post Money In The Bank 2024 media scrum after costing Drew McIntyre yet another opportunity at becoming a world champion earlier in the night.
During the talk, Punk was asked about the chatter of his wife potentially making a comeback to WWE and if we can hope to see the two of them sharing the ring again. The former world champion claimed that he doesn’t want to give false hope to people:
“I appreciate the question. You would have to ask my wife but she’s not here. She’s taking care of Larry. I don’t want to fall in the trap of saying never say never.
I don’t want to give people false hope. I also will not put words in her mouth and say ‘I think this could happen’ I think this is a brave new world. I don’t think a lot of people thought I was going to show up. It’s really all on her.”
She’s Doing Her Own Thing: CM Punk
CM Punk noted how as a fan of AJ Lee, he would love to see the former Divas Champion back in the ring. Though he also mentioned all the projects she is currently involved in, which makes it hard for the female star to make a comeback:
“She’s busy. I’m super proud of her. She’s doing her own thing. She’s got, I don’t even know if I’m allowed to talk about this stuff. She’s got a production company started up, she’s writing TV, movies, all kinds of stuff.
I laughably, I always say I’m a bad husband because I never know what project she’s talking about. ‘Oh, I have a meeting’ and I’m like, ‘With who? Is it Netflix? Is it Hulu? Is it CBS?’ I don’t know. She’s got so many irons in so many different fires. I will say as a fan of hers, would love to see it.”
The frustrations of Drew McIntyre boiled to the surface after WWE Money in the Bank 2024, with Raw General Manager Adam Pearce paying the price.
During the show, McIntyre won the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder match, and true to his word, decided to cash in on the very same night. McIntyre inserted himself in the World Heavyweight Championship match between Damian Priest and Seth Rollins. Unfortunately for the Scottish Warrior, CM Punk was around to ruin his cash in and Priest retained the World Heavyweight Championship.
Drew McIntyre Loses It
This is the third PLE that has seen Punk cost McIntyre the title, following on from WrestleMania 40 in April and last month’s Clash At The Castle: Scotland show in Glasgow. At the WWE Money in the Bank post-show, McIntyre was understandably frustrated by this latest setback. In a fiery outburst, McIntyre could be heard yelling “I know where your family lives” as referees tried to stop him from going further.
When Raw GM Adam Pearce tried to get involved, he earned an elbow from the Scottish Warrior. Wade Barrett tried to be the voice of reason as he understood that McIntyre is “pissed” but said hitting Pearce again would ensure McIntyre’s career would be over and he would never get a shot at CM Punk.
All signs are pointing to a match between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre which many have predicted will take place at SummerSlam 2024. If so, it’ll be Punk’s first match since the 2024 Royal Rumble where he suffered a triceps injury Drew has taken credit for. WWE SummerSlam will take place on August 3, from Cleveland, Ohio.
Forbidden Door is now underway, and fans in the arena started some (very audible on the PPV feed) dueling CM Punk chants.
The chants started during the Young Bucks and Kazuchika Okada vs Hiroshi Tanahashi and Acclaimed tag team match, with a smatter of ‘CM Punk’ aimed at the Bucks specifically.
The chants would then get more and more audible before you could loudly hear on the PPV feed “F*ck CM Punk,” chants which seemed to stop dead the original chants for the Second City Saint, which were then followed up by “he got fired” from the crowd.
CM Punk chants at ANOTHER AEW PPV
The Bucks would probably have hoped that the Punk chants would’ve stopped by now, with the Brawl Out incident being a fairly distant memory for many.
Fans on X/Twitter reacted to the chants from some of the crowd and the overwhelming sentiment was…why? Why would you pay to go to an AEW PPV at this point in 2024 and still chant for CM Punk?
Punk of course still has a huge fanbase, and the shocking incidents that led to his departure will be discussed for years to come.
AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door Matches Tonight
There are a number of massive matches set to take place from the UBS Arena in the Long Island hamlet of Elmont, New York, and they are as follows:
AEW World Heavyweight Title Match: Swerve Strickland (c) vs. Will Ospreay
AEW Women’s World Championship Match: Toni Storm (c) vs. Mina Shirakawa
Winners Takes All Title For Title Match: AEW TBS Champion Mercedes Mone vs. NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer
Ladder Match for the Vacant TNT Championship: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Mark Briscoe vs. Jack Perry vs. Dante Martin vs. Lio Rush vs. El Phantasmo
IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito
Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament Quarterfinal: Bryan Danielson vs. Shingo Takagi
Trios Match: The Elite (Kazuchika Okada & The Young Bucks) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi & The Acclaimed
Trios Match: Samoa Joe, Hook, and Katsuyori Shibata vs. Jeff Cobb, Chris Jericho and Big Bill
Zack Sabre Jr vs. Orange Cassidy
MJF vs. Hechicero
ZERO-HOUR PRE-SHOW
Kris Statlander & Momo Watanabe vs. Willow Nightingale & Tam Nakano
Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament Quarterfinal: Saraya vs. Mariah May
Mistico & The Lucha Bros vs. Yota Tsuji, Titan & Hiromu Takahashi
Fatal 4-WayMatch: House of Black (Malakai Black & Brody King) vs. Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen) vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Gabe Kidd & Roderick Strong
We’ll be covering all of the events from tonight’s PPV event, so make sure that you keep checking back to SEScoops for the latest!
McIntyre explains the reasoning behind his attack on Punk.
The ongoing feud between WWE superstars Drew McIntyre and CM Punk continues to get more intense. ‘The Scottish Warrior’ came close to defeating WWE World Heavyweight Champion Damian Preist at Clash At The Castle on June 15. Unfortunately, Punk returned to low-blow McIntyre at the premium live event, allowing the champion to retain his championship.
McIntyre went on X to explain why he felt he needed to assault the fan-favorite superstar. He also warned anyone else on the roster that they could face the same consequences if they cross him.
“…Newton’s third law, for every action there’s an equal and opposite reaction. Drew’s law, for every action, there will be a violent reaction like you’ve never seen if you deserve it,” said McIntyre.
‘The Scottish Warrior’ referenced Punk’s comments at the post-show and shared that he could’ve taken the breath out of him.
“…What I did to him on Smackdown, I could’ve made it a reality. It would’ve been so easy. I could have squeezed all the air out of his stupid, fragile body,” said McIntyre
He believes Punk’s punishment should be watching McIntyre succeed while remaining inactive. However, he sent another threat to the beloved superstar if he interfered in McIntyre’s matches again.
Drew McIntyre Curses Out And Sends Warning To CM Punk
McIntyre continued the video by justifying his actions to attack Punk on the June 21 episode. He also warned Punk that he’s a dangerous man to mess with again.
“…What have I ever deserved in this life for a dumb-headed f*ck like CM Punk to go into business for himself? Now Punk can pretend to push that he is Satan himself. When I’m pushed to this level, I’m a justified monster. Satan’s my b*tch, just like Phil,” said McIntyre. He continued, “…Phil, you took my dreams. Now I’m the nightmare you’re gonna see every time you close those soulless eyes of yours. You might think you’re Satan when pushed. I’m a f*cking psychopath.”
The former WWE Champion ended the video by sharing that he’s never hated someone more than Punk. McIntyre’s comments certainly add more tension to his rivalry with the ‘Straight Edge Superstar.’ Hopefully, Punk can heal soon so fans can finally see both settle their differences in the ring.
In May 2024, WWE Shop saw notable sales in their apparel category, and we have a full list of top-selling products.
Wrestlenomics reports that CM Punk emerged as a top seller for May 2024, showing his strong connection with fans, even though his injury hiatus. Jey Uso followed closely, which shouldn’t be a huge surprise considering the incredible reception his Yeet entrance has received in recent memory.
Cody Rhodes, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and The Rock also featured in the sales rankings, showcasing the appeal of both current and legendary figures in wrestling. Other superstars such as Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, Bray Wyatt, Rey Mysterio, and Liv Morgan also made the top ten list, reflecting a range of interests among the WWE fan base.
Best-Selling Items
When it comes to individual items, the “Men’s Black Jey Uso Yeet T-Shirt” led the pack, staying in the top 10 for 22 days throughout the month. This was followed by the “Men’s Black Return of CM Punk T-Shirt,” which also enjoyed significant daily sales.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s merchandise, particularly the “Stone Cold” Steve Austin & Booker T Rivals T-Shirt and the classic “Stone Cold” Steve Austin 3:16 T-Shirt, remained fan favorites. CM Punk’s “Best In The World” ringer T-shirt and The Rock’s “Final Boss” T-shirt also saw strong sales.
It’s also notable that Liv Morgan topped WWE’s sales charts after her King & Queen of the Ring Women’s World Title win, which landed her the #10 spot for the entire month.
Top-Selling WWE Merchandise for May 2024
Top Superstars:
CM Punk
Jey Uso
Cody Rhodes
Stone Cold Steve Austin
The Rock
Randy Orton
Roman Reigns
Bray Wyatt
Rey Mysterio/Mysterios
Liv Morgan
Insights and Trends
The data from May 2024 reveals a few key trends. The continued sales of CM Punk’s merchandise underline his lasting impact and popularity. Jey Uso’s rise in the rankings reflects his growing influence and appeal within the WWE universe.
The presence of both legendary figures like Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock, alongside current superstars such as Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes, indicates a broad spectrum of fan interests spanning different eras of WWE.
Overall, WWE Shop’s apparel sales for May 2024 highlight the dynamic nature of wrestling fandom and the continued popularity of both past and present WWE superstars.
Drew McIntyre is not letting his rivalry with CM Punk cool down anytime soon and he is even ready to offer the Straight Edge Star a world title match just to get his hands on him.
This week’s episode of SmackDown came live from the MVP Arena in Albany, New York featuring The New Bloodline and Kevin Owens among other names.
There were a couple of dark matches that took place after the cameras stopped rolling as well, one of which featured the Scottish Psychopath in action. The former WWE Champion faced off against ‘Main Event’ Jey Uso in the match after SmackDown went off air.
Though before the bell rang, he took the time to call out CM Punk. Drew McIntyre referred to Punk as a ‘scared little bitch’ and even offered him a world title shot after he wins the championship at the upcoming Clash at The Castle PLE:
What Happened On SmackDown
Elsewhere in the show we saw the coronation ceremony for the new Queen Of The Ring Nia Jax and a segment between Paul Heyman and Kevin Owens.
The matches on this week’s SmackDown included Austin Theory facing Tommaso Ciampa and The New Bloodline taking on The Street Profits.
The main event of the show featured AJ Styles who pulled a Mark Henry and faked his retirement to ultimately get his hands on the Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes. You can read more about the segment here.
Drew McIntyre is thankful to his arch-nemesis CM Punk for their epic promo segment ahead of WrestleMania 40.
On the March 25 edition of Raw, McIntyre, CM Punk, and then-WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins traded personal shots. The segment gained traction due to Punk coercing McIntyre to mention Vince McMahon, who is not mentioned anymore in WWE due to allegations. This happened after the Scotsman referred to himself as ‘The Chosen One,’ the nickname that McMahon gave him.
Punk is one of the best talkers in WWE and he possesses commendable promo skills. Speaking with Alex McCarthy of Mail Sport, McIntyre thanked Punk for the segment and said that he knew that the former WWE Champion would bring his ‘A-game’ during the exchange. He said:
“I have to thank him for that I guess. One thing I can thank him for. If he’s got that microphone you know he’s bringing his A-game and perhaps the first time we were in the ring together he was still finding his feet being back in WWE. I think he realized – I know he realized, I could see it in his eyes – this isn’t the same Drew and I had his number the first time we were in the ring together, and I stomped his stupid little arm.”
‘Guns loaded’
‘The Scottish Warrior’ realized that CM Punk would bring his prime version of himself in the battle and the former kept his artillery ready. McIntyre is grateful for the opportunity to go toe-to-toe with Punk on the mic and admitted that the “insane” segment escalated quickly. He said:
“The second time, I could see it in his eyes, ‘Right, I’m back, I’ve got all my guns loaded,’ and this is the CM Punk of old. And I knew I could either step up to his level or I can drown and I don’t belong at his level. So it was cool to have that opportunity to go back and forth and have people go, ‘Oh my god, this is insane.’ When you thought it couldn’t get anymore insane it kept escalating and escalating. You have to be quick on your feet and you have to know exactly who you are in this industry if you’re going to compete at the top level.”
McIntyre once again thanked Punk for the segment and even praised the addition of Seth Rollins. He said:
“So I can say thank you to him for showing in that segment everybody that said well, Drew just went to-to-toe with Punk in his prime, on fire. And Seth also added to that segment in what has become something of a legendary segment. It’s all people talk to me about recently.”
However, he was not medically cleared and was replaced by Jey Uso, who punched his ticket to the next round. CM Punk and Drew McIntyre will lock horns at a later date and reports suggest that it might be at SummerSlam in August.
CM Punk hyped his return to WWE 2K24 in style and he took cheeky jabs at his arch-nemesis Drew McIntyre in the process. However, ‘The Scottish Warrior’ is not a man to hold back his thoughts and fired back at Punk.
The Chicago legend is making his return to the game as a playable character for the first time in ten long years. ‘The Second City Savior’ is among several other legends as part of the downloadable content, ‘ECW Punk Pack’ that the WWE 2K24 gamers can access with a Season Pass. WWE legends such as Terry Funk, Dudley Boyz, and Sandman are also part of the pack. Taking to his Instagram account, CM Punk posted a video message to promote the game and took a jibe at McIntyre. Here is what he said:
“Good news, everybody. CM Punk is finally available to play in WWE 2K24. It’s making waves on the internet, so you know Drew McIntyre’s watching it. I’m put in the Punk Pack, that includes myself and some hardcore legends from ECW like Sandman, The Dudleyz, and the most hardcore legend of all, Terry Funk.”
“Now Drew, if you are watching this, let’s face it, it’s on the internet, so you’re watching it. You can finally play as your favorite wrestler and human being, me. CM Punk. Hope you have a terrible day, pal.”
‘The Scottish Warrior’ noticed Punk’s remarks and responded on X. He played a video clip of Punk in the WWE 2K24 game where he could be seen hobbling after performing a top rope move. ‘The Scottish Warrior’ yet again mocked Punk for his injury and wrote:
“lol he’s in the game for one day and already hurt”
As Punk has showcased a great recuperation, reports suggest that he might be back in a matter of the next few months and even compete at the SummerSlam Premium Live Event in August.
CM Punk may have left AEW in the midst of a mountain of controversy, but he doesn’t have the entire roster against him. Ricky Starks recently defended Punk from his detractors during an interview with WhatCulture. Starks praised Punk’s influence on his presentation on AEW Collision, a show that was initially built around his ill-fated final return to the company.
He mentioned a frequently shared video clip featuring dramatic pyro effects, which was entirely Punk’s idea. Punk aimed to help certain people and foster collaboration. Starks recalled a conversation with Punk, where Punk emphasized, “It’s really up to you to sink or swim.”
This motivated Starks to consistently exceed his previous performances, feeling a strong responsibility to live up to Punk’s support. Punk played a crucial role in advocating for Starks and suggesting new approaches for his character, showing a unique understanding of Starks’ potential.
“I have no issues with Punk, I don’t give a f*ck what anybody tries to tell me, I don’t care. He has never done me wrong and you can have your opinions on him, but you shouldn’t vilify someone for thinking differently than you.”
Ricky Starks’ AEW Status
At the AEW Revolution post-show media scrum on March 3, 2024, AEW President Tony Khan addressed questions about Starks’ whereabouts. He acknowledged that he hadn’t heard any rumors circulating about the former AEW World tag team champion, but emphasized his’ importance to the AEW roster.
Starks was involved in Sting’s first AEW match at the 2021 Revolution, where Sting and Darby Allin faced Starks and Brian Cage in a street fight. More recently, on the February 7, 2024, edition of Dynamite, Starks and Big Bill wrestled Sting and Allin, losing to the AEW World Tag Team Champions in a Tornado Tag match. He hasn’t competed since the loss to Sting and Allin and did not wrestle at Revolution this past weekend. However, it may be only a matter of time before he resurfaces.
Many are under the belief that Starks will eventually end up in WWE. Not only is Cody Rhodes a very close friend, but he was also spotted with the American Nightmare before the 2023 Royal Rumble event.
Last month, we broke the news that Starks’ former Team Taz partner HOOK is planning to let his AEW contract expire so he can explore free agency and possibly join WWE. Don’t be surprised if Starks isn’t far behind, or even gets there first.
