As CM Punk gears up for his highly anticipated World Heavyweight Championship match against Gunther at SummerSlam, the former WWE superstar has been candid about his views on the current state of the company and who he envisions as the “future of the business.” In recent interviews and media appearances, Punk praised WWE’s World Heavyweight Champion Gunther, labeling him as a torchbearer for the industry, and expressed interest in facing several rising stars in the coming months.

CM Punk Hails Gunther as WWE’s Future

In a recent sit-down with Fightful and during WWE segments leading up to SummerSlam, CM Punk spoke highly of Gunther, calling him the “future of the business.” Gunther, renowned for his imposing ring presence and technical prowess, currently holds the World Heavyweight Championship, making him Punk’s focal rival. Ahead of their SummerSlam showdown, Punk acknowledged Gunther’s dominance, describing their upcoming match as a clash of two generations where respect and competition intertwine.

A WWE insider told WrestlingInc.com that backstage, Gunther is respected not only for his in-ring skills but also for his professionalism and dedication to raising the level of competition across the roster, traits that align with Punk’s vision of a credible champion and a star who can carry WWE forward[3].

Dream Opponents: Chad Gable, Damian Priest, and Bron Breakker

Beyond Gunther, CM Punk has revealed in multiple podcasts and interviews that he is eager to face a handful of WWE’s emerging talents who he believes bring excitement and new energy to the brand. Among those named were Chad Gable, Damian Priest, and Bron Breakker — each representing a different style and generation within WWE.

• Chad Gable: Known for his technical excellence and amateur wrestling background, Gable is viewed by Punk as a hard-working, underrated performer whose in-ring IQ and adaptability make him an intriguing opponent.

• Damian Priest: Possessing a unique blend of charisma and power, Priest has steadily climbed WWE’s ranks since his debut. Punk expressed interest in confronting Priest, praising his knack for storytelling in the ring.

• Bron Breakker: A rising star from WWE’s NXT brand and a wrestler with a strong athletic pedigree, Breakker received nods from Punk as a talent to watch closely, hinting at possible future clashes that could elevate both men’s careers.

According to sources close to Punk, the veteran plans to help elevate these younger stars by working matches that highlight their strengths while preserving the rich storytelling that WWE fans crave[3].

Heel Turn Speculations and Punk’s Character Direction

Since his WWE return at Survivor Series 2023, CM Punk has primarily been positioned as a fan-favorite babyface. However, wrestling observers and insiders have speculated on the possibility of Punk turning heel, especially if he captures the Undisputed WWE Championship at upcoming marquee events like Night of Champions.

Veteran wrestling analyst Vince Russo suggested on Sportskeeda’s BroDown podcast that Punk’s character might benefit from turning heel to capitalize on intense audience reactions, particularly in international markets like Saudi Arabia, where crowd dynamics can differ significantly[1]. Yet other insiders feel that Punk’s ongoing storyline with Seth Rollins makes a heel turn less likely in the immediate future, as WWE appears to be exploring longer-term storytelling arcs involving multiple top-tier talents[2].

For SummerSlam, though, Punk seems to be focused squarely on his role as challenger to Gunther, putting character dramatic shifts on hold while delivering a highly competitive match.

SummerSlam: A Defining Moment

The upcoming World Heavyweight Championship match at SummerSlam is arguably one of the biggest in CM Punk’s recent WWE run. It signifies a chance for Punk to not only reclaim championship gold but also reaffirm his place atop the wrestling world as a performer willing to face the best of today and tomorrow.

WWE.com’s highlight reels and promos emphasize the intense promos and verbal exchanges between Punk and Gunther, underlining the palpable tension and mutual respect between them leading into the event[3]. Their feud has been lauded for blending old-school intensity with modern storytelling flair.

According to sources at WWE, the company is optimistic about the bout’s potential to generate renewed interest in the World Heavyweight Title scene, with Punk’s star power paired with Gunther’s credibility appealing to a broad fan base eager for high-caliber action.

Looking Ahead: Elevating WWE’s Next Generation

CM Punk’s comments on Gunther and his desire to face younger wrestlers like Gable, Priest, and Breakker shine a spotlight on WWE’s evolving roster and the importance of integrating rising stars with established veterans. Punk himself represents a bridge between eras, bringing experience, star appeal, and a nuanced view of wrestling psychology.

“It’s clear Punk wants to build something lasting — to not just win titles but to help mold the future of WWE,” noted a Fightful correspondent covering backstage developments. “His willingness to step into the ring with these younger guys sends a message that WWE’s next generation is ready, and Punk wants to be part of that journey.”

As SummerSlam approaches, WWE fans can expect explosive matches, compelling narratives, and perhaps the beginnings of new rivalries fueled by Punk’s vision of wrestling’s future. Whether he walks away with gold or not, CM Punk’s voice remains influential, and his choices about whom he faces next will likely shape WWE’s direction for months to come.

In summary, CM Punk has publicly endorsed Gunther as the future face of WWE’s championship scene while expressing excitement about facing upcoming talents like Chad Gable, Damian Priest, and Bron Breakker. With SummerSlam fast approaching, the wrestling world awaits a monumental encounter that promises to blend the best of WWE’s past, present, and future.

This article is based on recent interviews and reports from WWE.com, Fightful, WrestlingInc, and podcasts featuring CM Punk’s thoughts leading up to SummerSlam.