2024 has been a red-hot year for WWE, and it has seen the company put forth some very entertaining feuds and storylines. The likes of Cody Rhodes vs. The Rock and Roman Reigns, Sami Zayn vs. Chad Gable, and Bayley vs. Iyo Sky have been among the main highlights, but one rivalry has stood head and shoulders above the rest. The feud between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre has been stunning, and every plot point has left fans speechless and begging for a match between the pair. Given the unfortunate circumstances WWE found itself in with Punk’s injury, this has developed into something better than anyone would have imagined.

WWE Used CM Punk’s Injury To Start A Hot Feud

CM Punk’s Injury Could Have Derailed WWE Ahead Of WrestleMania 40

• Drew McIntyre wasn't a fan of CM Punk returning to WWE
• CM Punk was injured by a Drew McIntyre move in the Royal Rumble
• Drew McIntyre attacked CM Punk's injured arm

After rumors of McIntyre’s distaste for CM Punk’s WWE return, and a great back and forth promo on RAW, it was clear that WWE had enough to build a strong feud between these two wrestlers. WWE’s priority seemed to initially be Punk vs. Seth Rollins for WrestleMania 40, but Punk was injured in the Royal Rumble match and was ruled out for several months with a torn triceps. Instead of panicking and taking Punk off TV, WWE used this to add into what would become the best feud of 2024.

After Punk announced his injury on RAW, McIntyre emerged to utter what is now an infamous line, “I prayed for this and it happened”. This instantly added so much animosity and hatred into their feud, and it was made even more personal when McIntyre attacked Punk despite the injury, targeting his injured arm in a brutal assault. The belief was that Punk would now be written off and eventually return to take revenge on McIntyre, but WWE had other ideas, and have instead continued building towards a highly anticipated matchup.

CM Punk’s Sporadic Presence Has Kept His Rivalry With Drew McIntyre Hot

CM Punk Has Appeared Despite Recovering From Injury

• CM Punk screwed over Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 40
• Usually, injured WWE stars disappear from TV for months
• Keeping CM Punk around has helped build his feud with Drew McIntyre

McIntyre would become obsessed with Punk, taking joy in ruining his WrestleMania hopes and in the fact that he injured him. He took Punk’s spot in the World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania 40 against Seth Rollins, looking to finish his own story of winning a world title in front of fans. In the build up, McIntyre and Punk would share a few interactions, social media jibes, and more to continue adding animosity. At WrestleMania, McIntyre won the match and proceeded to rub it in the face of Punk, who was on commentary.

Punk would attack McIntyre, allowing Damian Priest to cash in the Money in the Bank briefcase, stealing McIntyre’s moment. Having Punk at WrestleMania was a very smart move, taking advantage of his star power for such a major event and using him to add to this ongoing storyline. In the months since, this has been the tactic of WWE to continue adding more heat and storyline beats. In the past, injured stars have remained on the shelf, but Triple H’s regime has instead kept him in the view of fans. Punk’s return to WWE could’ve been ruined with the injury, but keeping him in and around WWE programming has ensured that the whole thing hasn’t been a dud.

The Authentic Hatred Between Drew McIntyre & CM Punk Has Been Stunning

Drew McIntyre’s Performances As A Heel Have Been Top Tier

• CM Punk has cost Drew McIntyre the World Heavyweight Title multiple times
• Drew McIntyre’s continued descent into madness has been great to see
• This a blood feud and one of the most heated in WWE history

One of the main reasons why this feud has been so fantastic is due to the very real hatred that exudes between these two men, which is not often found in modern day WWE. The lines are blurred, the hate in the eyes of Punk and McIntyre feels real, and it has led to fans wanting to see them take chunks out of one another. When the match does happen, and WWE puts together a video package, they have enough to make it look like the greatest feud of all time. Punk has cost McIntyre at WrestleMania, in front of his home country is Scotland at Clash at the Castle in a truly stunning moment, and once again at Money in the Bank, when he ensured that McIntyre’s cash-in attempt was a failure.

On the other hand, McIntyre was the one who injured Punk and put a damper on his legendary comeback, and has attacked him on multiple occasions to continue delaying his recovery process, all the while becoming more incensed and demented at his own personal boogeyman who continues showing up to make his life a misery. It is a feud fans can take either man’s side for, and it will all lead to an electric atmosphere when they lock up in the middle of the ring.