During his conversation with Ariel Helwani on today’s edition of “The MMA Hour” podcast, CM Punk shared an update on his progress as he continues to recover from a torn triceps injury that has put him on the sidelines.
The injury occurred during the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble match. This injury means that Punk will not be able to compete at WWE WrestleMania 40. He will be the guest commentator for the match featuring WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre.
Punk said, “I feel really, really good. There is part of me that doesn’t want everybody to know. I want to keep a bit of a secret. I feel way better than I think I should. It’s giving me a false sense of security. There is very much the hockey player in my head, ‘You could have made Mania. You could have taped it up.’ They are protecting me against myself.”
Punk also talked about whether he could get physically involved at the event. He said,
“They are protecting me against myself, which is a welcome change. I’m the one trying to push everything based on protocols for a ruptured tricep tendon. They’re telling me to pump the brakes. I’m sitting back and listening to them as best I can. This one [left arm] didn’t feel like anything. It didn’t hurt at all. It felt like a rubberband snapped in my arm. I very seldom use agonizing for this one [right arm]. This was very painful. It hurt like hell. It made me optimistic, ‘Certainly I didn’t tear it off the bone like the other one.’ It hurt. I knew immediately. ‘This isn’t good.’”
CM Punk, the former WWE superstar turned MMA fighter, recently provided an update on his recovery from a torn triceps injury that has left him unable to compete at WWE WrestleMania 40. In a conversation with Ariel Helwani on “The MMA Hour” podcast, Punk shared his progress and expressed both optimism and frustration regarding his current situation.
The injury occurred during the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble match, forcing Punk to withdraw from the highly anticipated event. Instead, he will serve as a guest commentator for the match featuring WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre. While Punk’s absence from the ring is disappointing for fans, he remains focused on his recovery.
Despite the setback, Punk revealed that he feels “really, really good” and even admitted to wanting to keep his progress somewhat of a secret. However, he acknowledged that his improved condition might be giving him a false sense of security. The competitive nature within him makes him believe that he could have pushed through the injury and participated in WrestleMania 40.
However, Punk acknowledged the importance of the medical team’s advice and their efforts to protect him against himself. He mentioned that they are following protocols for a ruptured tricep tendon and are urging him to take it easy. Punk admitted that the injury to his left arm felt like a rubber band snapping, while the right arm injury was much more painful. Despite the pain, he remains optimistic that the right arm injury is not as severe as the previous one.
Punk’s willingness to listen to medical professionals and prioritize his long-term health is commendable. It demonstrates a shift in mentality from his earlier years in professional wrestling, where performers often pushed through injuries for the sake of entertaining fans. This change reflects a growing awareness of the importance of athlete well-being and the need to prioritize recovery and rehabilitation.
While fans may be disappointed that CM Punk will not be competing at WrestleMania 40, his presence as a guest commentator will undoubtedly add excitement and insight to the event. Moreover, his dedication to his recovery and willingness to prioritize his health should serve as an example to other athletes in the industry.
As Punk continues his rehabilitation, fans eagerly await his return to the ring, whether it be in WWE or the MMA world. Until then, they can take solace in knowing that he is taking the necessary steps to ensure a full recovery and a potential future comeback.