The issues between Triple H and CM Punk made them become one of the top backstage rivalries in WWE history. Many reports surfaced about issues between the two before Punk even made his way to the WWE main roster. The two never formed a relationship as Punk was viewed as someone Vince McMahon put more time into pushing than Triple H wanted to.
Things grew worse when they entered a storyline based on the tension that existed between them. Punk leaving WWE saw many fans blame Triple H with the heckling chants of Punk’s name during promos of The Authority afterwards. Both wrestlers have shared slight insight into the issues. Let's take a look at the details surrounding this backstage rivalry between Punk and Triple H.
10 CM Punk Took A Few Shots At Triple H In ROH
CM Punk made a couple of controversial comments about Triple H before even coming to WWE. The term “belt mark” was used by Punk to describe Triple H during a shoot interview with Samoa Joe produced by ROH.
Punk winning the ROH World Championship with a heel character saw him having character traits like Triple H when threatening to ruin ROH. Triple H likely caught wind of the small shots to start the tension before even meeting.
9 Triple H Didn't Like The Comparisons
There were many comparisons made between Triple H and CM Punk during Punk’s independent wrestling career. Triple H was reportedly never sold on those due to Punk not fitting the look of a wrestler that The Game believed was important at the time.
Punk even had a few similar wrestling moves like Triple H during his indie run. The Pepsi Plunge finisher used by Punk was essentially a Pedigree from the top rope. Punk stopped using the move before joining WWE due to it hurting his knees too much.
8 Triple H & Shawn Michaels Buried CM Punk's Dark Match
One infamous story about Triple H disliking CM Punk came out in 2005. Punk was trying out for WWE with a test match before an episode of Raw. The match was used for Heat, but not everyone was impressed.
Triple H and Shawn Michaels reportedly buried Punk in the locker room when watching the match with the rest of the wrestlers. Jim Ross confirmed the truth behind this when discussing Punk’s career on his podcast.
7 Fans Cheered For CM Punk During Survivor Series Match
The first-ever interaction between Triple H and CM Punk came at the 2006 Survivor Series event. Punk teamed with Triple H, Shawn Michaels and The Hardy Boyz as a face dream team easily dominating the competition.
The most shocking moment came before the match with Punk getting the loudest chants during Triple H’s promos. Punk referenced this years later during a promo with Triple H claiming there was jealously involved in a moment of tension.
6 Triple H Mocked CM Punk's Look In A Promo
Triple H and CM Punk rarely ever interacted before Triple H transitioned out of a full-time wrestling role. The biggest instance came during an episode of SmackDown in 2010. Triple H cut a promo against Punk and his Straight Edge Society faction.
Punk’s different look of the longer hair and beard saw Triple H making fun of his appearance. Triple H questioned the hygiene of Punk and his use of soap and shampoo. This promo battle foreshadowed some underlying tension for the future.
5 CM Punk Used Triple H For Biggest Pipe Bomb Insult
CM Punk’s incredible pipe bomb promo saw him referencing quite a few things no one else could get away with. Vince McMahon getting insulted by Punk was fascinating, but it wasn’t unheard of for one to do that in WWE.
Triple H and Stephanie McMahon being referenced in the same tone was the bigger shock. Punk saying WWE would be even worse with Vince’s “doofus son-in-law” in charge was a place no one went, especially since things were personal between the two in the past.
4 Their Promos Legitimately Got Personal
The new character of CM Punk as the “voice of the voiceless” saw him becoming a major star at the highest level. Triple H emerged as someone he had issues with both in the ring and backstage as part of the storyline.
Punk made a lot of vicious comments about Triple H and his history of burying talents for personal benefit. Triple H brought the same intensity calling out Punk for his physique and some weaker wrestling moments in the back.
3 CM Punk Felt Triple H Buried Him
CM Punk didn’t like many elements of working with Triple H during the most important time in his WWE career. The momentum of Punk placed him near the level of John Cena during the summer and fall of 2011.
Triple H ended up replacing Kevin Nash for a match against Punk that was already a strange storyline. Punk revealed he was livid about Triple H defeating him at a time where he clearly needed the win to continue building on his momentum.
2 CM Punk Insulted Triple H During Final Day In WWE
The frustration of CM Punk working in WWE saw him air them all out in a meeting with Vince McMahon and Triple H before walking out. Punk had a better relationship with McMahon and spoke directly with him about their issues.
Triple H was sitting in the room not adding much until Punk insulted him to Vince. Punk claimed he vented about Triple H burying him during their 2011 feud and it played a role in him realizing he’d never have the chance to achieve his vision in WWE.
1 Both Sides Still Don't Want To Work Together
CM Punk returning to the wrestling world with FOX as part of WWE Backstage has fans hoping for his return. There are still quite a few issues involved despite Punk claiming he’d be open to listening to offers.
Punk has not changed his stance on Triple H when discussing his WWE time in various interviews recently. Triple H gives the “never say never” statement whenever asked about Punk, but recent reports came out that WWE doesn’t want to book Punk any time soon.