WWE veteran slams CM Punk’s 25-minute SmackDown promo: "What was the point of the segment?" (Exclusive)

Modified Apr 05, 2025 13:21 GMT

CM Punk opened SmackDown this week [Image: WWE.com] — CM Punk opened SmackDown this week in Chicago [Image credits: WWE.com]

Veteran WWE writer Vince Russo was not impressed with the length of CM Punk's segment on SmackDown. The Best in the World kicked off this week's show in his hometown of Chicago.

Punk cut a promo in front of an electric Chicago crowd. He reflected on finally getting his WrestleMania main event before calling out Paul Heyman. The Voice of the Voiceless then informed The Wiseman that he would be revealing what the favor was in front of Roman Reigns, who was yet to arrive.

This week on Sportskeeda Wrestling's BroDown with host Mac Davis, Vince Russo noted that it took thirteen minutes for Punk to start his promo because of the vignettes. The veteran writer then pointed out that the segment dragged on for too long. Russo detailed that the long segment only conveyed that Punk was waiting for Reigns. He felt WWE Creative was wasting valuable TV time with these unnecessarily long promos.

"It was 13 minutes into the show before CM Punk spoke the first word. 13 minutes of packages, and entrances, and singing, and dancing. 13 minutes before Punk said anything. Then, Mac, the segment is 25 minutes long. And what was the point of the segment? For CM Punk to tell Paul Heyman, 'Tell me when Roman Reigns gets here.' That took 25 minutes, bro." [From 08:59 to 09:33]

Female superstar says she inspired John Cena turning heel HERE

Check out the video below:

Punk later confronted Roman Reigns during the final segment and revealed that he wanted Paul Heyman in his corner at WrestleMania 41 as a favor. He then planted The Original Chief with a GTS to close the show.

If you use the quotes from this article, please embed the exclusive YouTube video and add an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcript.

About the author

Prityush is a WWE news writer for Sportskeeda Wrestling who started watching wrestling in the later part of The Attitude Era. Although he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Prityush was a creative writer for his college, and his flair for creativity and love of pro wrestling eventually led him to the journalism field. After an initial stint in 2016-2017, he has been writing regularly for Sportskeeda since 2021.

As someone who loves and respects the business, he prides himself on factual, clean, and ethical reporting, free of plagiarism and AI usage. One of the ways he ensures this is by transcribing videos that he reports on.

Prityush had the privilege of interviewing superstar Matt Hardy in his career so far. Although, his favorite wrestler is CM Punk, as he relates to his Straight Edge philosophy.

When he is not reporting news, he loves reading and collecting WWE action figures. He currently owns over 500 wrestling figures and merchandise.

Know More

Edited by Gurjyot Singh Dadial