40 Greatest Stories Wrestling Ever Told

20. Drew McIntyre Hates CM Punk (WWE, 2023-2024)

At first glance, mortal enemies Drew McIntyre and CM Punk were feuding over a friendship bracelet that meant the world to the latter. He'd been gifted it by a fan, and it was dedicated both to Punk's wife AJ Lee and beloved dog Larry. Knowing that, McIntyre also knew exactly which pressure points to press whenever he nabbed the thing.

The burly Scot hated the idea that Punk had badmouthed WWE's system for years since leaving in 2014, then strolled back through the company doors at Survivor Series 2023 like he was riding to the rescue. Others, such as Seth Rollins, would have plenty to say about this too, but McIntyre was booked to take the whole thing personally.

He desperately sought ways to send Punk packing all over again, but it was clear that CM was here to stay and Drew despised that thought. Together, the duo used their real life animosity as fuel to produce some of the best face to face segments in living memory. They'd go on to restore a once-flagging Hell In A Cell gimmick at Bad Blood in October 2024 by working one of the best stories the infamous cage structure had ever seen.

McIntyre vs. Punk proved to be magic, and the magic came via its believability.

There had been loads of thrills and spills pre-HIAC too. Punk cost Drew the World Heavyweight Title several times (even flying to Scotland to moonlight as a fake referee), then everything came to a head inside one of WWE's most iconic creation. That Cell encounter is worth revisiting if you haven't for a while, for the record.