CM Punk celebrates unlikely return on WWE 2K26 cover

The former WWE champion reflects on his journey back to the top of the industry.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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CM Punk, the former WWE champion, is featured on the cover of the upcoming WWE 2K26 video game, marking a full-circle moment in his unlikely return to the company. Punk left WWE in 2014 but was welcomed back in 2023, and he is now the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. The cover appearance is the second time Punk has been the solo star on a WWE 2K game cover, joining John Cena as the only wrestlers to achieve that feat.

Why it matters

Punk's return to WWE and subsequent success have been one of the biggest stories in professional wrestling over the past few years. His appearance on the WWE 2K26 cover symbolizes his remarkable redemption and the company's embrace of him after a decade-long absence.

The details

Punk was surprised and grateful to see his image displayed prominently at WWE headquarters, a far cry from his persona non grata status when he left the company in 2014. He acknowledges that he never thought he'd have this opportunity again, likening it to a baseball player getting back in the batter's box. Punk credits his newfound appreciation for defying expectations at an advanced age, similar to other veteran athletes like LeBron James and Tom Brady.

  • Punk left WWE in 2014.
  • Punk returned to WWE in 2023.
  • Punk is the current WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
  • WWE 2K26 will be available for early access on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

The players

CM Punk

A former WWE champion who left the company in 2014 but made an unlikely return in 2023 and is now the reigning WWE World Heavyweight Champion.

John Cena

Another wrestler who has appeared on the cover of a WWE 2K game as the sole star, joining Punk as the only two wrestlers to achieve that feat.

Roman Reigns

The current WWE Universal Champion, whom Punk will face at WrestleMania 42 for the World Heavyweight Championship.

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What they’re saying

“Everything that I've done since I've come back, I like to say is kind of like extra credit. It's nothing that I thought would happen. When I left in 2014, I thought I was done. I didn't think about, 'Oh, maybe I'll go back, and maybe in the future I'll do this.' No. So being in the thick of it now, being this busy, being the champ, having all this responsibility and being on the cover and all these great things happening — it's just...”

— CM Punk (The Sporting Tribune)

“I mean, gratitude would be the word. I never thought this would happen to me again. If I were a baseball player, I never thought I'd be in the batter's box again. And to still have a fastball, see a fastball coming and be able to hit it out of the park — I'm so grateful.”

— CM Punk (The Sporting Tribune)

What’s next

Punk will face Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for the World Heavyweight Championship.

The takeaway

CM Punk's return to the cover of a WWE 2K game is a testament to his remarkable redemption story, as he has defied expectations and reclaimed his place as one of the top stars in the industry despite being written off years ago. His willingness to mentor the next generation of wrestlers is also a testament to his growth and commitment to the business.