CM Punk to retire from WWE in 2026 after losing to 47-year-old legend in his final match? Potential feud explored

CM Punk could retire from WWE in 2026 after losing to a 47-year-old WWE legend in his retirement match. The legend in question is Jeff Hardy. The Charismatic Enigma is perhaps Punk’s greatest rival in WWE.

Jeff recently pitched the idea of returning to the Sports Entertainment Juggernaut at the HOG Live event. The ex-WWE Champion shared his excitement about returning to WWE and getting inducted into the Hall of Fame. Hardy also suggested a dream rematch with CM Punk, expressing his desire to be the last opponent for The Straight Edge Superstar before he retires from wrestling:

"Ultimately, man, I'd like to do a really cool match in the WWE and do the Hall of Fame and all that stuff to really end it on the highest note possible. Because looking back at my career now, the history is just a glimpse, like a blink of an eye, when you achieve so much and then you're here at this point, older in life. So it'd really be special to have a killer match, maybe make CM Punk retire, and then, go into the Hall of Fame," said Jeff Hardy.

It all started in 2009 with a rivalry that mixed TV drama with real-life tension. What set it apart was the authenticity behind it. This wasn’t just your typical "I don’t like you" spat. It was far from ordinary. The narrative unfolded on its own. Plus, it was the start of Punk’s epic heel run, which eventually led to the legendary ‘pipebomb’ promo.

If Jeff ever gets the chance to step back into the ring with WWE, a showdown against CM Punk at WrestleMania 42 in a double retirement match would be a fitting way for both of them to end their careers. They can reignite their feud from 2009 and generate a lot of buzz. But for now, it’s all just speculation.

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CM Punk is scheduled to face Seth Rollins on the first RAW on Netflix

CM Punk and Seth Rollins have been itching to get their hands on each other and rarely pass up an opportunity to do so. Their rivalry has been stoked by countless arguments and a deep-seated animosity. Both Punk and Rollins insist that they're superior than the other and that they've played a huge role in shaping WWE into what it is today.

The Visionary has been at odds with The Best in the World ever since he came back to WWE. The 38-year-old said that WWE is his home, one he created after Punk left it behind a decade ago.

The animosity between the two escalated to a degree that the Stamford-based promotion had to announce their match. Mark your calendars for January 6, as we’ll soon discover the next chapter in Punk's journey.