TNA Wrestling nearly secured CM Punk to its talent roster, according to Moose. After his AEW release in September 2023, Punk fueled speculation by attending Impact Wrestling’s Chicago tapings following Bound For Glory.
Ultimately, however, he returned to WWE in November 2023. Moose, who debuted in WWE on the February 18, 2025 episode of NXT, revealed on Twitter/X that TNA had plans for a CM Punk feud during his TNA World Championship reign.
He expressed a desire to emulate the intensity of Punk’s iconic match with Brock Lesnar. However, he acknowledged these plans never came to fruition.
Moose wrote, “So while I was World Champ there were plans of Punk coming to TNA and us Feuding. Punk vs Lesnar from SS2013 is one of my favorites matches ever. I was looking forward to recreating something just as awesome. But Obviously it never happened but who Knows. Shout out to @CMPunk GOAT.”
So while I was World Champ there were plans of Punk coming to TNA and us Fueding. Punk vs Lesnar from SS2013 is one of my favorites matches ever. I was looking forward to recreating something just as awesome. But Obviously it never happened but who Knows. Shout out to @CMPunk… pic.twitter.com/Qldy2ij2uW
— MOOSE™️ (@TheMooseNation) March 12, 2025
In NXT, Moose immediately made an impact, challenging NXT Champion Oba Femi and confronting NXT Heritage Cup Champion Lexis King. He successfully defended his TNA X-Division Championship against King on the February 25th episode, leading to a title match against Femi at Roadblock.
WWE/Getty Images
At Roadblock, held on March 11th, Moose was unsuccessful in his attempt to capture the NXT Championship from Femi. Moose is the current TNA X Division Champion in his first reign and is a former two-time TNA World Champion.
Aside from TNA, Moose has also worked for Ring of Honor (ROH), New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Pro Wrestling Noah, Evolve Wrestling, and Revolution Pro Wrestling (RPW). In 2016, Moose signed with TNA, where he would go on to become a two-time Impact Grand Champion, a one-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion (2020–2021), and a two-time TNA World Champion.
Since returning to WWE, Punk has since feuded with the likes of Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins. He competed in the Elimination Chamber match on March 1st, with the winner challenging Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes for the title at WrestleMania 41, only to fall short to the winner in John Cena. he most recently worked a steel cage match with Seth Rollins on Raw.
More WWE News:
For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
