Felix Upton on February 20, 2026
AJ Styles and CM Punk have officially buried the hatchet — and it’s something Styles says means more to him than people realize.
While speaking during a WWE vlog on February 20, 2026 — filmed shortly after his match with Punk on the January 26, 2026 edition of RAW — Styles confirmed that the two have moved past years of animosity and miscommunication. Styles reflected on just how far back their history goes.
“I’m trying to think about the first time I met Punk, but I can tell you it’s been over two decades. Easy. I was just saying today, Punk knew me when I had a real, real bad southern accent.”
Styles then explained why their falling out hit him harder than people might have realized. It wasn’t just professional tension — it felt personal.
“To get in there not only with Punk, but with the heavyweight champion — I don’t think he understands how much that means to me. We had some rough times, him and I, and it really bothered me. It bothered me because we were so close at one point. Then you get caught up in your own bubbles, there’s miscommunication, and it just sucks.”
After finally working together again, Styles said the experience itself was proof that grudges don’t have to last forever.
“We’re living proof that you can live and learn, forgive, move on. Life’s too short to stay angry over stupid things. Me and Punk don’t agree on a lot of the same things, but that doesn’t separate us from being friends or appreciating each other. It’s so stupid to live like that.”
Styles made it clear that disagreement doesn’t have to equal permanent division. In an industry known for long memories and bruised egos, that kind of statement stands out. He closed by acknowledging that both men played a role in the fallout.
“I wish more people understood that we’re going to have differences. We’re not going to agree on everything. But we can agree to be civil. And we’ve both said things in the past that we wish we could take back.”
The reconciliation marks a major change from 2020, when Styles publicly stated he wasn’t interested in facing Punk and questioned whether he was capable of doing good business. At the time, Styles made it clear he wasn’t a fan and felt Punk wasn’t worth his time. Fast forward to 2026, and not only did they share the ring — they’ve also repaired their friendship.
Do you think this reconciliation changes how fans view AJ Styles and CM Punk’s history? Let us know your thoughts below.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
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