CM Punk has addressed his future as an in-ring competitor and why he feels that he is on a similar path to John Cena.
At 46 years of age, Punk is very aware that his time left in the ring is limited. Set to enter the Royal Rumble match once more on February 1st, the former World Champion is hoping that the events of 2024 do not repeat themselves and that he is once again side-lined with a serious injury.
Although Punk knows that much like Cena his last match is likely to be approaching fast, he is not prepared to announce a massive WWE retirement tour.
During an interview with Jackie Redmond ahead of the Royal Rumble, Punk was asked if he feels like the clock is ticking on his career given everything that he has gone through in his career:
“I feel great right now. I definitely don’t feel like there is a looming doomsday clock over my head or anything like that. Saying that, I also do realize, based on what happened in the last Royal Rumble, that this could all end in a heartbeat. I never know when my last match is going to be, and you see guys like John Cena doing a full blown retirement tour. I look at myself like I’m on the same road as John, maybe just not egotistical enough to announce to everybody, ‘Hey, this is it.’
I’m not setting a limit on anything, I’m just doing my best to bulletproof myself on a daily basis, work as hard on recovery as I do in the gym and in the ring, and not make this twilight of my career extended beyond what people expect of me. I don’t want to twist in the wind and be some old guy. I think I get criticized an unfair amount, but it’s because I don’t dye my beard, I don’t dye my hair, I 100% embrace it.
To me, these grays, I’ve earned them. They just tell stories. It’s the roads I’ve traveled, it’s the bumps and bruises I’ve taken and the injuries I’ve survived. My face is a road map. I would not remove a scar. I would not dye my hair or beard. This is me. I was me when I first wrestled a 15-year-old, and I’m me at 46, and I will always 100% be truly, unapologetically, one of one, CM Punk.”
CM Punk Hints At Major Return
Although Punk is an announced entrant in the Rumble match, there are still many open spots in both the Men’s and Women’s Rumbles that could lead to some surprising participants. In a previous interview, CM Punk may have let slip that a huge name will be a part of the Royal Rumble match.
In recent news, CM Punk is set to face Gunther for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
H/t to Fightful.