CM Punk: It Pains Me To Say It But Seth Rollins Is One Of The Greatest Superstars Over The Last 10, 12 Years

Punk shares praise for Seth Rollins.

Since CM Punk returned to WWE in November 2023, he’s been at odds with Seth Rollins. In their respective media appearances, they’ve taken jabs at one another, but during Punk’s appearance on Unsportsmanlike, he shared some praise for Rollins.

He was asked to share some of the names of those who didn’t have the ‘traditional look’ of a wrestler but broke the mold for modern-day talents to have the opportunities they have. This led to Punk saying Seth Rollins is one of the best talents over the last decade.

“Gosh. I’m conflicted when I talk about this stuff, because then people will point and say, ‘Oh, you’re egotistical. You’re this, you’re that.’ The truth of the matter is the first guy through the wall gets bloodied. I was the first guy through the wall. Independent wrestling was looked down upon. It was the land of the giants. I have, to the casual observer, some pretty ridiculous tattoos. But like everything else, tattoos are subjective. I wasn’t supposed to make it as far as I did. But I would not be denied, and there are many more men and women that are just like that — that they bet on themselves, they believe in themselves. But they don’t have a look that fits a certain person’s idea of what a pro wrestler is and that was definitely me. So, being able to try to always reach down and pull up the next generation or, you know, I’m not pulling the ladder up. I’m trying to help other people get here. I think Seth Rollins is a great example of that. He’s a guy that fit the same mold as I did. Didn’t have the size. You wouldn’t look at him and be like, oh yeah, he’s a world champion and now he’s multiple-time heavyweight champion, and one of the — it pains me to say it but he’s one of the greatest superstars over the last 10, 12 years.”

Rollins is recovering after undergoing shoulder surgery in the fall of 2025.

Punk is the reigning WWE World Heavyweight Champion and is scheduled to defend the belt against Finn Bálor at the Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event in Punk’s hometown of Chicago, Illinois.

If the quote in this article is used, please credit Unsportsmanlike with an H/T to Fightful for the transcription.