'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
During his nine-year-long WWE career, CM Punk was one of the best Superstars in the company. Dubbed as The Best In The World, Punk worked with the likes of Edge, Randy Orton, The Undertaker, The Rock, and many others.
With his straight-edge persona, Punk also got incredibly popular with fans, who chant his name even now, years after he has left the company. While there's no doubt Punk was one of the most loved Superstars on WWE TV, behind the scenes, the story was a bit different.
In the feature, let's uncover a few WWE Superstars who have had real-life heat with CM Punk.
New Champs in WWE! More RIGHT HERE
#5 Triple H
In 2011, Triple H decided to come out of semi-retirement and fight CM Punk after Punk accused The Game of conspiring with Kevin Nash to keep him away from the WWE Championship. However, after their lackluster match at Night of Champions, the feud between Triple H and Punk was cut short.
Trending
While the two Superstars were supposed to renew their rivalry years later at WrestleMania, Punk had zero interest in sharing the squared circle with The Game.
The signs of the real-life heat between Triple H and Punk were relatively clear ever since Punk signed with WWE. However, the beef between the two Superstars was confirmed by The Best In The World after he walked out on WWE in 2014.
Speaking in an interview, CM Punk once revealed that Triple H never really liked him. He also said that The Game tried to hold him down in WWE, and he's somewhat responsible for the fact that he never got a chance to main event WrestleMania.
According to the reports, Triple H never had any personal issues with Punk. However, he believed Punk didn't have the appearance of a top WWE star. Due to this, the two never got along with each other, and they are yet to bury the hatchet.
#4 AJ Styles
AJ Styles and CM Punk have never faced each other inside a WWE ring, but the two Superstars have locked horns on the independent circuit. While the reason for Styles' resentment towards Punk is not clear, his real-life heat with the former WWE Superstar came to light recently.
A user asked Styles about his stance on the Black Lives Matter movement and the reason why the WWE Champion has stayed silent about the movement. Styles didn't answer the user's question, and CM Punk took a shoot at the current Intercontinental Champion. Punk stated that Styles has hollow political values, and it's become crystal clear in the last few years.
A week later, Styles, in an interview, was asked to respond to the claims made by Punk. Styles said that his job as a wrestler is to perform and momentarily forget things that are happening around the globe. He said that he was not going to react to the outlandish things that Punk has said about him and has no respect for the former WWE Superstar.
Taking these factors into account, it's safe to say that Styles dislikes CM Punk, and the feeling is probably mutual between the two Superstars.
#3 Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan and CM Punk have been going at each other's throat for the last few years and they don't seem to be interested in stopping anytime soon. Reportedly, the real-life heat between the two stems from Hogan's actions in WWE's locker room over a decade ago
Speaking on The Steve Austin Show podcast, Hogan once revealed that he got himself into some trouble with WWE's officials as he didn't say "hi" to CM Punk when the two Superstars came face to face after RAW 15th Anniversary.
"I walked into the dressing room for the Raw 15th Anniversary and there was a guy there named CM Punk, I don't know who he is."
While Punk has never mentioned anything about the said incident, he has taken a few shots at Hogan that makes their real-life heat evident. Punk attacked Hogan on Twitter a few years ago after he mispronounced the Chicago Hockey team's captain and coach's name during an interview with ESPN.
Punk was last year asked if he watched Hulk Hogan while growing up, and if he liked him or not. To this, Punk replied by saying he was never a Hogan guy, and doesn't like him, especially after meeting The Hulkster.
#2 Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns crossed paths with CM Punk for the first time after he made his main roster debut as a part of The Shield in 2012. Reigns never had any problem working with Punk. However, The Big Dog changed his attitude towards The Best In The World after he left WWE and started making harsh comments about the company and him.
Speaking on the Art of Wrestling podcast, Punk made various accusations about WWE, including Vince McMahon making every match involving The Shield about Reigns and protecting him. Punk also claimed it was him who came up with the idea of The Shield, and he never even wanted Reigns in the faction.
As you can imagine, The Big Dog wasn't thrilled about these comments. When he was asked to respond to Punk's claims, Reigns said that the only thing Punk came up in his whole life was his Pepsi tattoo.
"The only thing CM Punk ever created was the Pepsi tattoo on his shoulder."
Reigns also took a shot at CM Punk when he was asked if he'd watch him fight Mike Jackson at UFC 225. The Big Dog responded by saying if Punk lasts more than 30-seconds, he would.
#1 Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle is another Superstar who has never worked with CM Punk, but he has had real-life heat with him that stems from the comments Punk once made.
During the Wizard World Comic Con in 2012, CM Punk was asked (skip to 38:27 mark) which Superstar from the independent circuit he would like to face in the future. Punk said that he would want to face Samoa Joe, but a fan reminded him that Joe works for TNA, and Punk said that he was already aware of that.
At that time, Angle was working for TNA, which is why he didn't take these comments about TNA being an "independent" company lightly, and attacked Punk on Twitter. Angle said that when Punk was trying to make a living, he was at the pinnacle in WWE, and that going to TNA was his own choice.
In another tweet, Angle also warned CM Punk to watch his back the next time he comes across him as things could get ugly. While Angle later apologized for his comments to both WWE and TNA fans, he said that he still held a grudge against Punk since he disrespected TNA. Angle also said that Punk needs to learn a lot about fame and the responsibility that comes with it.
