Legendary WWE star could win the Royal Rumble and main event WrestleMania 41 20 years after debut, believes Chris Van Vliet
Top wrestling interviewer Chris Van Vliet recently gave his thoughts on the potential winner of the 2025 WWE Royal Rumble. One of Van Vliet's picks to win the men's match was CM Punk, who could main-event WrestleMania 41, which remains his biggest goal.
According to the latest betting odds (H/T Sports Illustrated), the favorites to win next year's men's Royal Rumble match are The Rock, John Cena, CM Punk, and Roman Reigns. The Road to WrestleMania 41 will officially begin on that night at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Speaking on the latest episode of his Insight podcast, Chris Van Vliet was answering questions from his fans. One of them asked him about his picks to win the Royal Rumble match, and he mentioned CM Punk as one of the stars who 'makes sense' as the victor.
“I actually think you can make a really strong case for CM Punk winning. That would make a lot of sense. CM Punk winning catapults him right into that spot, main eventing WrestleMania whether it’s night one or night two," Van Vliet said. [From 17:10 - 17:23]
The Second City Saint reiterated his desire to main-event WrestleMania 41 two weeks ago on WWE RAW. It has been his dream since making his debut for the company in 2005. CM Punk is set to start next year with a bang, battling bitter rival Seth Rollins on the red brand's debut on Netflix on January 6.
Paul Heyman makes observation about CM Punk's WWE return
CM Punk returned to WWE at last year's Survivor Series: WarGames, shocking the entire wrestling world. Punk famously walked out of the company in early 2014 and vowed to never return. He returned to wrestling in 2021 by joining AEW before his two-year stint there ended tumultuously.
The Straight Edge Superstar was fired on September 2 and came back to WWE in less than two months. His former on-screen manager Paul Heyman recently revealed his thoughts on Punk's current WWE run in an interview with CBS Sports' SHAK Wrestling podcast.
"If you had told me that in 2012 that 12 years later CM Punk would be a far more fascinating character than he is now at the height of his rebellious status, I'd say that's just not in the cards for him. ... He has a deeper connection with the audience now, which I never imagined would have been possible," Heyman said. [H/T: CBS Sports]
Punk was out in the first half of 2024 due to a triceps injury. He feuded with Drew McIntyre after his recovery, battling him in three grueling matches before joining forces with the OG Bloodline at Survivor Series: WarGames last month.