Surprising Name Wants To Retire CM Punk

CM Punk’s swansong could come from an unlikely source.

Although he spent a vast portion of 2024 out injured, CM Punk’s standing within WWE has arguably never been higher. The star has proven an invaluable piece of the main event picture while delivering impressive performances in the ring, notably against Drew McIntyre inside Hell In A Cell.

Since returning to WWE, Punk has also taken a special interest in NXT, regularly attending tapings and offering advice. This has seen a spate of reports suggesting the star could eventually takeover Shawn Michaels’ role in running the brand when he retires.

But who will get the chance to retire the former World Champion?

Jeff Hardy Wants To Face CM Punk

During an interview with Tim Hann Rivera at the HOG Live for the Moment event, Jeff Hardy was asked about how he’d like to end his career. The high-flyer reiterated his desire to return to WWE before admitting he’d love to retire CM Punk.

“Ultimately, man, I’d like to do a really cool match in the WWE and do the Hall of Fame and all that stuff to really end it on the highest note possible. Because looking back at my career now, the history is just a glimpse, like a blink of an eye, when you achieve so much and then you’re here at this point, older in life. So it’d really be special to have a killer match, maybe make CM Punk retire, and then, go into the Hall of Fame.”

Punk and Hardy had an acclaimed rivalry in WWE in 2009 over the World Heavyweight Title, at the culmination of which the latter left the company to deal with a litany of nagging injury issues.

Back in July, Jeff Hardy revealed WWE tried to re-sign him before he joined AEW. The veteran said the pitch included a Hall of Fame induction, but he turned down the offer as he wants to be inducted beside his brother Matt.

The star said he cried after taking the phone call from WWE, even though he knew he was making the right decision.

Jeff Hardy recently signed a new deal with TNA Wrestling, keeping the World Tag Team with the company until November 2025.

H/t to Fightful