CM Punk is one of the most influential and controversial figures in professional wrestling. From his time in Ring of Honor to his legendary WWE run and eventual return to wrestling, Punk has always carried an aura of defiance and authenticity. Despite being a multiple-time WWE Champion and a key player in the company, one major milestone has always eluded him—headlining WrestleMania. But why has CM Punk never main-evented WWE’s biggest show, despite his undeniable popularity and talent?
The Rise of CM Punk in WWE
Punk debuted in WWE’s ECW brand in 2006, quickly establishing himself as a unique talent with his straight-edge persona and exceptional in-ring ability. His breakout moment came in 2011 with the now-iconic Pipebomb promo, where he aired real-life frustrations with WWE’s management. This led to his unforgettable WWE Championship victory over John Cena at Money in the Bank 2011—a moment that cemented Punk as the top guy in the eyes of many fans.
Despite holding the WWE Championship for 434 days, one of the longest reigns in modern history, Punk was never given the opportunity to close out WrestleMania. Even at the peak of his career, WWE chose to put part-time legends like The Rock, John Cena, and The Undertaker in the main event spots instead.
WrestleMania and CM Punk: The Near Misses
Punk wrestled in multiple high-profile WrestleMania matches, but he was always just shy of the main event:
WrestleMania 26 (2010): Faced Rey Mysterio in a mid-card match.
WrestleMania 27 (2011): Lost to Randy Orton in another non-main event bout.
WrestleMania 28 (2012): Defended the WWE Championship against Chris Jericho, but The Rock vs. John Cena was the true main event.
WrestleMania 29 (2013): Wrestled The Undertaker in one of the best matches of the night, yet Cena vs. Rock II headlined the event.
Punk’s biggest frustration came in 2014, when it became clear he wouldn’t be part of the WrestleMania 30 main event either. He walked out of WWE, citing creative dissatisfaction and burnout.
Why Did WWE Never Let CM Punk Main Event WrestleMania?
There are several reasons why Punk never got his WrestleMania main event moment:
WWE’s Preference for Part-Time Stars: During Punk’s peak, WWE prioritized bringing back big names like The Rock, Brock Lesnar, and The Undertaker for main events, rather than pushing full-time talents.
Backstage Politics: Punk’s outspoken nature made him a controversial figure backstage. His strained relationship with WWE officials, including Vince McMahon and Triple H, likely played a role in keeping him out of the main event picture.
Marketability: While Punk was incredibly popular, WWE seemed to believe that names like Cena, Rock, and Batista would attract more mainstream attention.
Timing Issues: Punk was WWE Champion during a time when long-term storytelling revolved around Cena and The Rock, pushing him out of the top WrestleMania spot.
Could CM Punk Finally Main Event WrestleMania?
CM Punk’s return to WWE in late 2023 shocked the wrestling world. Now, with a fresh opportunity, could he finally achieve his long-awaited dream of headlining WrestleMania? As of 2025, rumors suggest Punk may be involved in a major WrestleMania storyline, but it remains to be seen if he will finally get his main event moment.
Conclusion
CM Punk’s lack of a WrestleMania main event remains one of the biggest “what ifs” in WWE history. Despite being one of the most talented and beloved wrestlers of his generation, he was never given the spotlight to close out WWE’s grandest stage. Whether WWE finally corrects this in the coming years remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure—CM Punk’s legacy as The Best in the World is already cemented, WrestleMania main event or not.
