December 1, 2023 - CM Punk fights John Cena during their WWE Money In the Bank 2011 match, Image Credits:- WWE on YouTube.

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CM Punk Puts John Cena on Notice After Backlash

Get All the Details About How CM Punk Put John Cena on Notice After His Match at Backlash.

December 1, 2023 - CM Punk fights John Cena during their WWE Money In the Bank 2011 match, Image Credits:- WWE on YouTube.

John Cena has come through his first title defense successfully at Backlash 2025. However, it was not the usual John Cena way. He had to resort to a low blow and hitting his opponent, Randy Orton on the face with the title to keep it.

However, it seems John Cena’s past is catching up to him as he is nearing his retirement in WWE. His past is coming back in the form of his rivals. Randy Orton was the first one to come after the Undisputed WWE Championship. Now, it seems another of his past rivals has put him on notice for the title. So who is this new past rival that John Cena might have to battle against to keep his title in the future? Read on to know more about it.

CM Punk Has Hinted at a Potential Title Shot Against John Cena

CM Punk returned to the WWE for the first time since the Raw after WrestleMania last week. He saved Jey Uso and Sami Zayn and attacked Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker with chairshots. This caused the duo and Paul Heyman to back off while Jey Uso managed to retain his World Heavyweight title. However, CM Punk did not have match at Backlash 2025.

CM Punk watched the match between John Cena and Randy Orton at Backlash 2025. John Cena retained the title. CM Punk then posted an Instagram story of John Cena with two words – “For Now”. His actions clearly shows that he is hinting towards a title shot against one of his former rivals in the Stamford based company. WrestlingWorldCC notably, has shared CM Punk’s comments on their official Instagram post.

CM Punk also spent the weekend supporting his friend Belal Muhammad for his Welterweight title fight at UFC 315. He even cut a promo on behalf of the former champion before the fight (via his official Instagram account).

John Cena and CM Punk’s History

John Cena has been one of the biggest rivals of CM Punk during his first tenure in the WWE. CM Punk and John Cena started their rivalry all the way in 2009 and continued it all the way till 2013. Their first match took place on November 23, 2009, which John Cena won. This started an epic feud between them over the years.

John Cena and CM Punk’s rivalry took an intense turn during 2010 and 2011 especially when CM Punk became the leader of The New Nexus. The two of them put on some of the best matches since then. This include Money in the Bank 2011, Summerslam 2011, Raw 1000 and Night of Champions 2012. The Night of Champions 2012 was the last PPV that these two fought in back then. CM Punk then last faced John Cena on February 25, 2013 for a chance to challenge The Rock and his WWE Championship at WrestleMania 29. John Cena won the fight and the rivalry between them came to an end for then. Fast Forward to 2025, CM Punk lost the Elimination Chamber match against John Cena due to Seth Rollins’ interference.

CM Punk, it seems wants to reignite his rivalry with John Cena. However, both CM Punk and John Cena has changed a lot since then. CM Punk is one of WWE’s biggest babyfaces presently while John Cena has gone completely the opposite way. These rivals meeting once again inside the ring in their new roles would be an interesting thing to see for the WWE Universe.

Belal Muhammad

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UFC 315

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WWE Backlash 2025

Arka Mukherjee

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I’m a sports content writer focusing on MMA, WWE and MLB writer at The Playoffs. I have a Master’s degree in Media Science (M.Sc) from my college The Heritage Academy. I got into the sports industry through my previous company where I worked from 2023 to March 2025. I’m a fan of combat sports like pro wrestling and MMA. My favorite part about working at The Playoffs is speculating what can be happening in WWE, especially face-heel turns and results of matches.