WATCH: CM Punk makes current WWE Champion break character after their steel cage match in Vienna

Despite being physically drained from facing the wrath of Gunther, CM Punk made the Austrian sing for the local crowd.

WATCH: CM Punk makes current WWE Champion break character after their steel cage match in Vienna

CM Punk [via- WWE]

Fresh off securing his WrestleMania main event on SmackDown in London, CM Punk made the trip to Vienna on Saturday. He faced local hero and reigning World Heavyweight Champion Gunther inside a steel cage at a house show in the Austrian capital. Although the veteran lost, he made The Ring General break character after their neck-and-neck encounter.

First off, The Best in the World spoke highly of Gunther, explaining to those in attendance why he’s the world champion. The Chicagoan further noted that the erstwhile Walter represents championship-caliber people, hardworking, blue-collar, and salt-of-the-earth Vienna pride. After congratulating him enough, Punk said that he’ll see the Imperium boss down the road.

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And then, the former AEW star announced that Gunther will recite a folk song for his compatriots. The Ring General didn’t disappoint and made his homecoming even more memorable with fans serenading to his vocals. It wasn’t the first time Punk and Gunther locked horns. In fact, they wrestled each other a few days ago on the ongoing European tour.

The netizens, though grateful for their clash, slammed WWE for not booking Punk vs. Gunther as a potential Saturday night main event of WrestleMania 41. These individuals haven’t crossed paths on the main roster yet but were relatively close to it last year after Bash in Berlin. However, Drew McIntyre‘s obsession with The Second City Saint precluded the latter from looking any further than the Scot.

CM Punk set to main event WrestleMania alongside former Shield brothers

Since recovering from a torn triceps injury last summer, CM Punk has toiled hard. He ushered in 2025 with a renewed passion. After facing setback at the hands of Logan Paul in the Royal Rumble match, Punk had his back against the wall. The Elimination Chamber was his last hope to stay in contention for the world title. However, everyone saw how Seth Rollins screwed The Best in the World at the PLE in Toronto.

CM Punk and Paul Heyman
CM Punk and Paul Heyman [via- WWE]

It allowed John Cena to punch his ticket to WrestleMania. In the following weeks, Punk and Rollins ran it back on Raw at MSG. Staged within the confines of a steel cage, it was meant to settle their differences once and for all. However, a Roman Reigns return at the end trumped everything. The OTC got his pound of flesh on both. It was all but confirmed by that point that Reigns, Rollins, and Punk weren’t done at all.

They met on SmackDown in Bologna and brawled like there’s no tomorrow. After that segment, WWE announced that these former world champions will collide in a triple-threat at WrestleMania in Las Vegas. This past Friday, things were finally made official. During the contract signing, Paul Heyman relayed to his former client that he’s indeed closing out a night of WrestleMania.

It’s a dream that Punk has had for years. The Second City Saint was tearing up in the moment and even got to his knees to acknowledge Reigns. In the meantime, Seth snapped at Punk getting to headline WWE’s biggest show. But what shocked the fans was when The Straight Edge Superstar claimed that he’s still owed a favor from Paul.

What could be the favor that CM Punk is owed?

After helping Roman Reigns and his OG Bloodline inside WarGames last year, CM Punk was due a favor from The OTC’s Wiseman, Paul Heyman. It’s starting to come into play of late. While this week’s SmackDown left the fans on a cliffhanger, it’s headed toward something more substantial.

CM Punk
CM Punk [via- WWE]

Initially, it was alleged that Punk might ask Heyman to pull some strings backstage and put him in the main event of WrestleMania. Although that’s happening, as Punk said before SmackDown went off air, that’s not what he’s owed. Who knows if the Chicago-born grappler wants Heyman back as his manager?

Other possible scenarios include The Voice of the Voiceless demanding some much-needed stakes to be tied with the anticipated triple threat showdown. Punk could ask Paul to get him added to the Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena matchup for the Undisputed WWE title if he beats Roman and Seth.

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