CM Punk Calls Out The Undertaker For Surprising Reason

Newsweek

2 days ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
CM Punk is known for speaking his mind, and in a new interview, he took a playful jab at the legendary mystique of The Undertaker. The former WWE Champion joked that the real reason "The Deadman" protected his character for so long was simply because he was "lazy."
Speaking with Sports Illustrated to promote the upcoming WWE Unreal docuseries on Netflix, Punk discussed the evolution of "kayfabe" and the loss of mystique in modern professional wrestling.
"The Undertaker Was Just Lazy"
When asked if he missed the old-school aura that once surrounded performers like The Undertaker, Punk offered a sharp and witty response. He joked that The Undertaker's famous dedication to his character was just a convenient way to avoid doing media interviews.
"Do I wish I didn't have to do interviews? The Undertaker was just lazy," Punk said. "That's the only reason he did that. He got away with not doing this. That's why he did it. It wasn't because he was really dead. I said it."
Protecting The Phenom
Punk's joke, while delivered tongue-in-cheek, references one of the most respected feats in wrestling history. For nearly 30 years, Mark Calaway, the man who portrayed The Undertaker, meticulously protected his character's mystique.
He rarely did out-of-character interviews and avoided public appearances, all in an effort to maintain the illusion that "The Deadman" was a real, supernatural force. This dedication to the business is what made his character so iconic and believable for an entire generation of fans.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 27: CM Punk speaks during WWE Monday Night RAW at State Farm Arena on January 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 27: CM Punk speaks during WWE Monday Night RAW at State Farm Arena on January 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
WWE/Getty Images
This old-school approach stands in stark contrast to the modern era of wrestling, a point Punk reflected on more seriously.
The Modern Era Of Transparency
Punk admitted that as a veteran with an old-school mentality, he is often "wildly uneasy" about the new level of transparency in the business. He noted that with social media and behind-the-scenes docuseries, the curtain has been pulled back more than ever before.
"Do I wish there was more mystique? You know, it is what you make it," he said. "I will still protect this business. That's why I'm kind of wildly uneasy about a lot of this stuff. But I also take it as it comes, you know?"
He concluded that while he can't change the new landscape, he can adapt to it. He now sees the increased access as a new tool he can use to create his own kind of magic in the ring. "One little old CM Punk standing against the current on this isn't going to change anything," he stated. "I might as well go with the flow on it."