Steve Carrier on January 9, 2026
CM Punk has a message for anyone still throwing shade at his WWE schedule — he’s not being dragged to shows, he’s choosing to show up.
During an interview on NotSam Wrestling, the WWE Champion responded to critics who continue tohim a “part-timer” in 2026. Despite juggling a busy movie schedule, Punk made it clear that he’s still committed to being in the ring — and the decision to wrestle comes from him, not management.
“Oh, brother, they call me a part-timer still now. Yeah. They say it like it's some sort of gotcha. Like, ‘He said he hated part-timers. Look at him now, he's a part-timer!’”
Punk pointed out that WWE doesn’t run as frequently as it once did, but he’s on the road because he wants to be. He’s not phoning it in. He even brought up WWE’s holiday loop as something he genuinely enjoys — not something he’s forced into.
“We don’t run shows every single day like we used to. I work the shows that I work because I elect to work them. And I want to.”
“We just did a Christmas loop — Christmas loop is fun. Hearkens back to the old school days where I can get on the road, get in the car, drive to the next town. I’m on my own clock, I get to see the fans… Love it. Love it.”
As someone juggling a WWE run and a movie career, Punk says he’s doing everything he can to show there’s a path where both things can thrive.
“I go out of my way to make sure I don’t miss TVs for WWE and I don’t miss dates because I think it’s important to do that. I’m not just trying to bypass everything and go film these movies and stuff like that.”
“I’m showing everybody that there’s a path — that you can do both.”
Whether he’s in the ring or on a movie set, CM Punk is clearly staying in motion — and doing it all on his terms.
Do you think CM Punk is proving the critics wrong with his WWE schedule and side projects? Or do you still see him as a part-timer? Let us know in the comments!
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
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