CM Punk has opened up on his iconic WWE ‘Punkanomics’ promo.
A few weeks back, ahead of the Crown Jewel 2025 PLE in Saudi Arabia, fans witnessed CM Punk brutally roast John Cena during the SmackDown Riyadh episode. Embracing his inner-rapper character, Punk appeared dressed as John Cena’s old ‘Thuganomics’ gimmick and brutally dissed the 17-time World Champion.
Now, almost a month later, during an interview with Matt Aguilar of ComicBook Nation, CM Punk opened up about his preparation for the segment. Revealing several unheard details, The Second City Saint said,
“It was a lot of research. I watched a lot of John’s delivery. His cadence and how he talks. A good friend of mine by the name of Jensen Karp, who is, to me, a battle rap master. That is what he does. It’s his lane. I definitely leaned on him. ‘This is what we’re doing.’ I could do this myself, but it was really his wheelhouse, so I kind of handed the ball to him. He helped me greatly, along with another friend of ours, Rone. The genesis of the idea was, everybody is expecting this pipebomb 2 from me.
I’m not into delivering sequels to stuff that don’t need sequels. For 14 years people have been chasing this moment and trying to replicate it, duplicate it, talk like me, sit like me. I’m not so much into doing the same thing. I couldn’t have even followed myself. How is that for a supremely egotistical comment? Everyone is expecting me to zig, so I zag. That was the idea with it. Really, just having fun. That entire week was pretty emotional for me, being the last time I was going to get to share a ring with John Cena.
I wanted to make it special and memorable. I find that when I challenge myself and put myself outside my comfort zone, that’s when the best stuff happens. People are going to remember that, whether it’s because of the delivery, the content, the way I was dressed, the atmosphere. I think it was a hell of a moment.”
H/t Fightful
Cena defeated Punk at WWE Crown Jewel 2025 and is now scheduled to face Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam 2025, while CM Punk is booked in a World title match against Gunther.
CM Punks’ ‘Punkanomics’ Rap Against John Cena Lyrics Revealed
Last month, during the main event of the June 27 edition of WWE SmackDown, CM Punk brutally roasted John Cena with his iconic promo. Here are the lyrics for it.
Yo, check it, this is Basic Punkanomics.
Don’t adjust your television set, your eyes are working just right. This clown plagiarised my pipebomb so now I’m stealing Word Life.
You had to rip me off to cut your best promo, just to distract from the fact that we all see you move in slow mo.
Remember when he used to rap? You deserve all the criticism, you’re like a Temu Macklemore with Mackle-less rhythm.
He said I’m a problem, he called me a player hater, let’s be honest, John Cena’s buried more talent than the Undertaker. That’s why he’s the champ and went and lost all his respects, but John I get it, I’d retire too if this place rehired my ex.
If you never said your prayers, ate your vitamins or fixed your bald spot, you wouldn’t be a pro wrestler, you’d be a Boston Mall Cop. But hey, he gets good movie roles that much is a fact, and then you see Batista act and you realise John ain’t that.
Same shirt, same hat, man your persona stayed tragic. You’re like a fish bellied white Hulk Hogan but somehow more problematic. Yo, when it comes to Best in the World, I’m your vessel, because millions chant my name and at you they chant, ‘You can’t wrestle!’
Get it in while you can in six months he’ll be gone, I’ll still be here having fun, he won’t have time for you little people anymore, he’ll be busy washing underwear for James Gunn. He’s a superhero now, he works for DC, but no matter how hard you try, you’ll always be the Marine to me. And that’s straight to DVD, better find a PS3, I now understand, ‘You can’t see me.’
It’s a hell of a catchphrase John, but now it’s done, because we all see you and we’re looking at a washed up bum. 14 years ago today, I dropped the legendary pipebomb, and you tried to make it all about you because that’s what you do John, you’re a leech, you’re a phony, you’re a fraud, you’re an a** kiss 17 time champion but you ain’t ever been on my class.
Before you go John, there’s one more wish to make, tomorrow night you’re gonna lose to Kendrick because bitch, you’re my Drake!”
In other news: Marina Shafir has opened up about an AEW leak.