CM Punk understandably has a love-hate relationship with the Royal Rumble match. He made a mark in the 2010 match with his Straight Edge Society "sermons," the 2014 contest ended up being his final WWE match for nearly a decade, and although it was his first televised match back in the company, Punk sustained a sidelining injury in the 2024 bout while finishing as the runner-up. While joining WWE's Jackie Redmond, Punk spoke about what the Royal Rumble means to him.
"I think about (the 2014 Royal Rumble) a lot. I'm actually nervous talking about it because we legitimately litigated this so it's (laughs) yeah, so talking about it being back in the company ... at one point you weren't allowed to say the words 'CM Punk' in this company, I was 'he who shall not be named,' and I think that Royal Rumble was probably a big part of that. So, me being back for only a year now, everything's still kinda weird for me," Punk remarked.
Punk entered the 2014 Rumble as the #1 entrant, and almost went the distance, but was eliminated by Kane after Punk eliminated him early in the match. Punk was set to be in a program with Triple H for WrestleMania 30, but backstage at "WWE Raw" the night after the Rumble, Punk walked out of the building after a disagreement with Triple H and Vince McMahon. Redmond would then ask Punk about his injury in the 2024 Royal Rumble match, and if he would change anything. "If I had that magic wand I wouldn't waive it, not for myself. I think maybe for other people in other situations, but for me I think that's what this coming Royal Rumble represents to me: is I got a re-do, I got the chance to do it all over again, and that's how I look at it, that is my magic wand," Punk optimistically said.
If you use any quotes from this article, please credit "WWE" with a H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
