CM Punk is finally getting his shot in the WrestleMania main event this Saturday—something he’s chased for years. But don’t get it twisted: Punk says his obsession with headlining the show wasn’t about ego—it was about cash.
Appearing on The Masked Man Show with David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide, Punk pulled no punches about why he was so focused on main-eventing WWE’s biggest night. “The reason why I was so obsessed with the main event of WrestleMania is pay scale,” Punk explained. “There isn’t a single person that can criticize me that can explain professional wrestling pay scale. If I’m in the main event, I get paid more money.”
But that was then. Now? Punk says the game has changed. “That does not exist anymore. Everybody is on flat salary, and we get paid stupid money for what we do,” he said. Still, he wasn’t done throwing shots. “Yes, I do think we should all get paid more based on things I see the company doing and shouting from the rooftops of how much money TKO is making.”
Despite his long journey back to the top—and everything he’s endured to get there—Punk made it clear that his motivation has evolved. “I’m 46, I don’t need money at this point in my life. Biggie was right; more money, more problems. I hate it, so much.”
Punk will headline WrestleMania 41 Night One in Las Vegas in a triple threat against Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns—finally checking off the last box on his wrestling bucket list.
Do you think CMPunk’s right about the money in wrestling—or is there more to the main event than just the paycheck? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.