CM Punk is finally a WWE Champion once again. Although his reign just started, Punk has always felt like the unsung champ even when he did not have the title around his waist. Despite how many times he lost on PLEs in 2025, Punk was untouchable with his superior storytelling abilities in his feud with The Vision. As WWE approaches 2026, Punk has plenty of targets on his back. Here are three major threats to CM Punk's title reign.
Bron Breakker
Bron Breakker is currently the biggest threat to Punk's title reigns, as he is scheduled for a title match against Punk on the first Raw of 2026 in what is being advertised as the 1-year anniversary for WWE's Netflix deal. He has been cutting scathing promos on Punk the past few weeks, as he has been exposing Punk for being too PG. He even joked that he would take Punk's wife when he wins the World Title. Breakker is getting under Punk's skin, and that may be all he needs to end this title reign.
Gunther
Gunther was confronted by Punk this week most likely because Gunther is still gloating about making John Cena give up, as Punk was a very close friend of Cena. Since Gunther never invoked his rematch clause after losing the World Title to Punk at SummerSlam, he may invoke it on the road to Mania to get his revenge on Punk and continue his momentum after retiring the "greatest of all time." Punk has his number for now, but Gunther rarely loses to the same wrestler twice. Just ask Jey Uso.
Seth Rollins
Whenever Seth Rollins returns from injury, there is no doubt that he will go straight after Punk to reclaim the title he never lost. Rollins had cashed in on Punk at SummerSlam to win the title in the first place, so he won't be too happy sitting at home and watching his arch nemesis with his title. Rollins is scheduled to return by WrestleMania 42, so he can definitely invoke his rematch clause against Punk without even winning the Royal Rumble or the Elimination Chamber. This is academic.
Honorable Mention: Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar has not battled CM Punk one on one since SummerSlam 2013. However, he is 2-0 since returning to the WWE and did help the Vision defeat CM Punk and his team inside War Games at Survivor Series. Due to the controversies Lesnar has in his name, it would not be wise for him to win the World Title, but anyone would be remiss to not realize Lesnar as a legitimate threat after the momentum he has been getting in the Vision and his association with Punk's frenemy, Paul Heyman.
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