CM Punk Names WWE’s GOAT Of The Last 20 Years

The wrestling world has witnessed many GOATs in the business over the past two decades, but for CM Punk, it’s JOHN CENA!

The John Cena vs. CM Punk rivalry is one of the most storied in WWE history. They have been bitter rivals on screen, but behind the cameras, the superstars have nothing but utter respect for each other.

Cena is scheduled to retire at the end of this year. His last match will take place on December 13, at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, DC. Before that, he’ll defend the Intercontinental Championship against Dominik Mysterio at Survivor Series on November 29.

Cena’s farewell tour has been emotional and overwhelming for many of his fans. And since Punk is also a huge fan of Cena, the retirement tour has had a profound effect on him.

CM Punk Acknowledges John Cena As The Greatest Of All Time

Speaking in an interview with Mostly Sports with Mark Titus and Brandon Walker, CM Punk revealed that he’s thoroughly enjoyed watching Cena wrestle his last year in WWE.

He also claimed that Cena is the GOAT of the last 20 years in WWE.

Watching him kind of like gracefully bow out has been just tremendously rewarding. Obviously, he’s somebody who, you know, we’re calling him the goat.

It’s very subjective, you know, but in my lifetime, in my career, like somebody who always led by example, box office superstar, charismatic, through the roof, great on the mic, does all the PR, you know. Over the last 20 years, 100% the GOAT. (From 1:18:41)

To cap off their iconic rivalry, Punk and Cena had one final showdown at Night of Champions 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where John Cena defeated CM Punk with a controversial finish to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship.

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