Summary

CM Punk says the two names he would most like to see return to the ring are John Cena and Batista.

While appearing on GOAT Talk, Punk was asked which celebrity he would want to see wrestle. His answer quickly turned into a message about wanting two of his longtime friends back around the business.

Punk has stayed in the spotlight lately for his comments on WWE and his own career direction, including why back-to-back WrestleMania main events still matter to him. This time, the focus shifted to the names he still wants to share the wrestling world with.

Quote from CM Punk

"Dave Bautista. John Cena. I just want my friends to come back to work. I get a kick out of seeing celebrities crossover because it's either the most spectacular car crash disaster, and there was a time when I probably was like, 'No. The purity of pro wrestling.' Now, I realize there is a time and place for a little bit of everything for everybody. Bad Bunny was a spectacular pro wrestler. This is the biggest, most recognized global pop star in the world and he's a fan and he doesn't want to just come and goof around. He took it seriously and did it. I would like to see Michael Shannon step in the ring because I think it would be the most bizarre thing I've ever seen."

What Punk's comments mean for John Cena and Batista

Punk bringing up John Cena and Batista keeps both names in the conversation for WWE fans, even if neither situation points to an actual return on its own. Cena already retired in December 2025, and Batista has not wrestled since WrestleMania 35, so the quote lands more as affection and wishful thinking than a concrete tease.

It also shows how quickly any mention of Cena or Batista can reopen the fantasy-booking side of the fanbase. When a current top WWE name like Punk says he wants both men back, that alone is enough to keep interest alive around two stars whose names still carry major weight.

Sources

CM Punk while speaking on Complex's GOAT Talk