CM Punk Eyes Dream Matches with Stone Cold, Bret Hart

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — CM Punk, one of WWE’s most polarizing figures, has reignited fan speculation about potential dream matches with wrestling legends Stone Cold Steve Austin and Bret “The Hitman” Hart. During a Jan. 5 appearance on Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson‘s Nightcap show, Punk named Austin as his top fantasy opponent, calling him “number one with a bullet.”

“Stone Cold always comes to mind,” Punk said, according to Ringside News. “He’s the guy I’d love to face.” Punk also expressed admiration for Bret Hart, citing him as a childhood inspiration. “That’s a guy that helped get me into this sport from an interest perspective,” he added.

The idea of a Punk vs. Austin match has been a fan favorite for years, with Punk often compared to the Hall of Famer for his rebellious persona and mic skills. Earlier this year, Austin told ESPN that Punk “would be a good one” to face if he were to have one final match. Punk later teased the possibility at Fanatics Fest, joking that Austin’s “six-shooters might be buried in the Nevada desert.”

While the match remains unlikely, fans continue to fantasy-book the clash, keeping the dream alive. Meanwhile, Punk has announced his participation in the 2025 WWE Royal Rumble, fueling speculation about a potential WrestleMania 41 main event.

In other WWE news, LA Knight has expressed interest in branching out into film or television through WWE’s new partnership with Netflix. “Maybe we take it easy on me and get my feet wet with a little action-drama,” Knight told Metro. He also named Sydney Sweeney as his ideal co-star.

On the SmackDown front, last Friday’s episode saw Paul Heyman announce Roman Reigns‘ entry into the Royal Rumble, setting the stage for a potential clash with Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41. The segment, produced by Michael Hayes and Jamie Noble, also featured Kevin Owens, Jimmy Uso, and The Bloodline, further advancing the ongoing storyline.

As WWE continues to build toward its marquee events, the possibilities for dream matches and new ventures remain endless.