CM Punk Gave A Shout-Out To An Old AEW Enemy On Last Night's WWE Raw (WWE News)
CM Punk references top AEW star on WWE Raw.
CM Punk verbally opened the Forbidden Door on last night's WWE Raw.
The World Heavyweight Champion name-dropped AEW star Samoa Joe during an in-ring segment with Roman Reigns, drawing a pop from the crowd - and an apt response from Reigns.
Punk and 2026 Royal Rumble winner Reigns were indulging in their latest in-ring segment ahead of their WWE WrestleMania 42 match. After Roman welcomed 'The Voice of the Voiceless' to "his ring" and "his main event," calling Punk "Phil", the World Heavyweight Champion said he kept using his real name like an insult. Punk said his friends and family call him Phil. He would maybe try to insult Reigns by using his government name, but he doesn't obsess over Roman.
"I'm certain not going to call you Joe, because that would be insulting to a real Samoan who I love very, very much," Punk quipped.
Reigns replied: "Well, maybe you should call Joe, and he'll remind you who your Tribal Chief is."
Samoa Joe was CM Punk's final AEW opponent, facing his old Ring of Honor rival at the inaugural All In: London event on 27 August 2023. Punk's pre-match backstage scuffle with Jack Perry at the same show ultimately led to AEW dismissing him months later.
CM Punk first wrestled Samoa Joe in August 2003, with Joe besting Punk at ROH's Bitter Friends, Stiffer Enemies event.
CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns will headline WrestleMania 42's second night on Sunday, 19 April. The match was set shortly after Roman's 2026 Royal Rumble victory.