A memorable promo exchange between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre from 2024 is once again making headlines, as new details suggest one of Punk’s most pointed lines was not part of WWE’s official script.
During the segment in question, Punk asked who chose McIntyre as “The Chosen One” and dared McIntyre to say that person’s name, which fans quickly interpreted as a thinly veiled reference to Vince McMahon. At the time, the remark stood out because McMahon – and even Brock Lesnar – were considered completely off-limits for on-air mentions.
In a Fightful Select Q&A, it was emphasized that nearly all WWE promos are scripted word-for-word. Crowd interactions and spontaneous reactions can be looser, but in most cases talent is expected to stick to the written material.
According to the report, Punk’s remark was not included in the official script and came across as an ad-lib. While some within WWE feared the line might spark controversy, it ultimately passed without significant fallout.
Speaking to Inside The Ropes in February 2025, McIntyre revealed he had a comeback ready for Punk during this segment, but chose not to use it. He had considered reminding Punk that McMahon fired him on his wedding day but opted to stay professional.
Reflecting on the segment, McIntyre felt it proved he could verbally go toe-to-toe with anyone, including Punk, and he ultimately let Punk have the last word, believing it was best for WWE.
Here’s what McIntyre said:
“What’s going through my mind is: ‘The same person that fired you on your wedding day.’ But I’m a professional. I think by that point, people started seeing what I was capable of on the microphone like it was a new thing.
If you watched my stuff outside of WWE, you know when I’m comfortable and the reins are taken off me. I don’t care who it is, I can go toe to toe with anyone. Even Punk.
If you watch the first interview we had, the look in his eyes throughout the promo and how much it changed, you realize this is not the same kid that was an arse so many years ago. He was ready that night, I was ready that night and we went back and forth and back and forth, just hitting each other with these lines.
And again, this is not something that’s written on a piece of paper like you say this and I’ll say that. This is just two guys going for it, two guys that have got some banter, and two guys that genuinely don’t like each other in a place as hot as Chicago where Punk’s from.
Then that one line, once we’d finally gone back and forth so much, it was a choice for me to make. Do I go back and then we see where we end up? Or do I bite my tongue and say OK, this round belongs to you.
I’ll be a professional. I’ll do it for the company as well as the de facto babyface, even though I’m really the real babyface of the situation. So I let him have it. For the company, not for him.”
