Potential 'What If..?' Matches for CM Punk’s WWE 2K26 Showcase Mode

Recently, we discussed the potential matches that could feature in a CM Punk-centric Showcase Mode in the upcoming WWE 2K26. Specifically, these were some of Punk’s best and favourite matches, as per the three expected categories listed in Mike Straw’s report.

Here, we’re going to take a look at the second of those categories: some “What If” matches that could’ve taken place, if the “Voice of the Voiceless” hadn’t left WWE back in 2014. 

CM Punk vs. Triple H

On the subject of Punk’s departure from the company, it’s fitting to discuss the man that he seemingly had most of his issues with: Triple H.

Before his dismissal from WWE, Punk had taken issue with “The Game” on numerous occasions. The pair had feuded in 2011, with Punk’s vocal barbs often blurring the line between kayfabe and reality.

Fast-forward a few years to 2014, and the pair were set to clash once again. However, the storyline wasn’t one that the “Second City Saint” was interested in taking part in. Despite the two not having met in the ring for three years, Punk had had enough.

“I was mad that I wasn’t the main event of WrestleMania, I was mad that I was wrestling Triple H.” – CM Punk on the Art of Wrestling Podcast, 2014

It would be interesting to see the match that would’ve happened had the pair been able to squash their personal beef. It certainly would’ve reshaped WWE WrestleMania XXX, with Triple H facing Punk instead of the eventual star, Daniel Bryan.

This would scratch an itch for those who would’ve liked to see the “King of Kings” square off with CM Punk on the “Grandest Stage of Them All” and would make for an intriguing match for WWE 2K26 players.

CM Punk vs. Bray Wyatt

Although the previous entry was a match that WWE fans had actually seen at least once, this next entry has never happened in singles competition.

Bray Wyatt technically made his debut on the WWE main roster in 2010, as a member of the Nexus. He made his first appearance as the cult leader that WWE audiences are most familiar with a little later, with his WWE Raw debut coming in July 2013.

Bray Wyatt and his Wyatt Family arrived during the final six months of Punk’s WWE career (before his 2023 return). Wyatt and Punk shared the ring just four times in that period, with all of those matches being multi-man tag team matches in November and December 2013.

CM Punk revealed in an interview with WWE that Wyatt actually hoped they would have a singles bout in the future. After the initial Nexus split, Punk shared the following:

“I was upset for Bray because he was being sent back to developmental. He was in high spirits, and he said to me, ‘Hey, don’t worry man. […] someday, me and you are going to meet at WrestleMania.’ And I thought that was really cool,”

Perhaps these two vastly different characters could’ve come to blows at WWE WrestleMania 31, replacing Wyatt’s match with The Undertaker. Ultimately, this hypothetical scenario is one deserving of the “Show of Shows”.

Since the pair never feuded with one another, it’s intriguing to consider what could’ve been. Of course, due to Bray Wyatt’s unfortunate passing in 2023, this one will always be a “What If”, but it’s tantalising to think about.

CM Punk vs. AJ Styles

These two have actually been in a match together since Punk returned to WWE in 2023. However, it may surprise you to know that they have never faced one another one-on-one. 

Despite their similarities, the pair have only ever crossed paths three times. In 2003, they were on opposing tag teams for the NWA TNA pay-per-view event. 22 years later, they were in the Royal Rumble together; finally, they also competed in a Triple Threat match in order to qualify for the WWE Money in the Bank 2023 ladder match.

As Punk left the company in 2014 and AJ Styles debuted in 2016, they obviously missed one another at the time. It would’ve been interesting to see how the duo would’ve interacted in the early stage of Styles’ WWE career, especially given how fast he rose to the top.

Styles came in and made himself a main eventer in his own right, while Punk was a top guy in the company for a number of years prior. Perhaps they could’ve clashed around the time that the “Phenomenal One” was butting heads with Punk’s wrestling soulmate, John Cena.

This could’ve been a good feud for both men heading into WWE WrestleMania 33, especially after Styles’ WWE Championship loss. The pair could’ve clashed in the build-up, and the resulting bout would’ve likely been a high point on a disappointing night.

CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens

There are countless stories about the history between these two men. Punk and Owens have had problems with one another since their days in Ring of Honor. Allegedly, CM Punk took issue with the then-Kevin Steen wearing a t-shirt during his matches.

Since that day, there has been animosity between the two men. They’ve made verbal jabs at one another over the past two decades, with the “Prizefighter” stating as recently as 2024 that the pair still had their issues.

“We never talk. We have no reason to talk. We’re not friends. We’re not, we don’t, you know, we’re just not, I don’t know. We have no reason to talk. If we work together, we will talk, but just not a thing we do.”

Given that the pair have never been in the same match, it’s unlikely that it’ll ever happen, but it makes for an exciting theoretical. Given Owens’ meteoric rise upon his main roster debut in 2015, it’s likely that the pair would’ve locked horns not long after.

Imagine Owens aiming for the “Best in the World” after his trilogy with John Cena. Perhaps this could’ve taken place at WWE SummerSlam 2015, replacing KO’s match with Cesaro. Wherever it could’ve occurred, it would make for a fun dream match to see in WWE 2K26.

CM Punk vs. Finn Bálor

As of writing, this match is scheduled to take place on the 19th January, 2025 edition of WWE Raw in Belfast, Northern Ireland. However, it could have looked a lot different if the two had collided during Bálor’s debut run on the WWE main roster.

Back in 2016, Bálor arrived on WWE Raw as the fifth overall pick in that year’s WWE Draft. He made an immediate impact, earning the opportunity to compete for the newly created WWE Universal Championship.