WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk is officially expressing deep gratitude for his current run with the company. The veteran performer recently described this chapter of his professional life as “extra credit” during a candid media appearance. The Best In The World shared his disbelief regarding the level of success he has achieved since his high-profile return to the squared circle.
Speaking with The Sporting Tribune, Punk noted that everything happening in his career right now feels like an unexpected bonus. He reflected on his journey from walking away from the industry over a decade ago to standing once again at the top of the mountain. He believes he is currently operating at a level that many thought was impossible for a performer of his tenure.
CM Punk explained that when he originally left the organization in 2014, he was under the firm impression that his wrestling career there was completely over. He did not spend his time away plotting a return or dreaming of a second act. Instead, he had fully moved on to other ventures before the landscape shifted in a way that made a comeback possible.
“Everything that I’ve done since I’ve come back, I like to say is kind of like extra credit,” Punk stated during the interview. “It’s nothing that I thought would happen. When I left in 2014, I thought I was done.”
The champion admitted that he never expected to reach this specific level of prominence again in his fifties. He is currently a centerpiece of the weekly television programming and remains a top draw for the WWE fans. The responsibility of carrying a major title and being featured on global marketing materials is something he does not take for granted.
“I didn’t think about, ‘Oh, maybe I’ll go back, and maybe in the future I’ll do this.’ No. So being in the thick of it now, being this busy, being the champ, having all this responsibility and being on the cover and all these great things happening — it’s just …Man, I’m just fortunate,” he continued.
Punk also described this phase of his life as a legitimate “late-career peak.” He feels like he is firing on all cylinders and performing better than he ever has in the past. He used a sports analogy to explain how it feels to compete at the highest level after such a long hiatus from the mainstream spotlight.
“I mean, gratitude would be the word. I never thought this would happen to me again,” the champion shared with the outlet. “If I were a baseball player, I never thought I’d be in the batter’s box again.”
He feels a sense of pride in his ability to still keep up with the younger generation of athletes on the roster. The physical demands of the industry are immense, but he has managed to maintain his conditioning and his connection with the audience. He believes his current work stands up against any other era of his storied career.
“And to still have a fastball, see a fastball coming and be able to hit it out of the park. I’m so grateful,” he detailed. “I’m firing on all cylinders. I think I’m better than I’ve ever been. And I think saying that at this stage of my career is pretty incredible.”
While the champion reflects on his legacy, he is also preparing for the most dangerous challenge of his current reign. CM Punk is officially scheduled to defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 42. The two-night spectacle will emanate from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 18 and 19, 2026. Reigns earned this championship opportunity by winning the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble match, setting the stage for a massive clash between the two biggest stars in the industry. Punk is also currently featured as the cover athlete for the newly released WWE 2K26 video game, which officially launched on March 13, 2026, further cementing his status as the face of the modern era.
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