Booker T Explains Why CM Punk's Current WWE Run Is Better Than His First One

Always fearless, CM Punk shined a light in professional wrestling that remains untouched today. WWE Hall of Famer Booker T, who was still active in the ring at the time of Punk's first run, remains adamant that "The Best in the World" has always been a locker room leader and role model back then and now. However, where he differs is which era was Punk's best. Analyzing the matter, Booker T argues that Punk's second and current run is much better in many different ways than his first.

"Guys like CM Punk, you need guys like that," Booker T said on his "Hall of Fame" podcast. "There's a lot of guys that aren't willing to bank on themselves. You got to be willing to bank on yourself, just like Punk leaving WWE, going to AEW, and then leaving AEW, and coming back...Look at his career now. This run is better than his first run in so many aspects. And I think he would probably say the same thing in so many aspects because the things he was worried about the first time around, he's not worried about those things anymore."

While many never thought Punk would ever reappear in the promotion that made him a global household name, he surprised the WWE Universe when he did at the end of the 2023 Survivor Series PLE in Chicago. Since his return, he added two more World Heavyweight Title reigns to his name, he also became a former (and third time) Undisputed Champion, participated in one of John Cena's final matches, and tagged alongside his real-life wife AJ Lee, when she returned to the company after a ten-year hiatus.

As of this writing, Punk participated in two blockbuster matches last week. The first occurred on last Wednesday's special edition episode of "WWE NXT," where he unsuccessfully challenged Grayson Waller for the NXT Championship, a title Punk has never held in either run. And this past Friday on "WWE SmackDown" against Kevin Owens, who finally got his vengeance on their unresolved animosity that began two decades ago in Ring of Honor.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit "The Hall of Fame Podcast" with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.