CM Punk Appears In Trailer For Netflix Rom-Com ‘Guarding Stars’

CM Punk is stepping into holiday rom-com territory. Netflix dropped the first trailer on Wednesday, October 14 for ‘Guarding Stars,’ a new holiday-themed film that includes the WWE star among its ensemble cast.

The movie is led by Leighton Meester and Jared Padalecki, with Andie MacDowell and Noah LaLonde also part of the cast. Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum is directing the project for the streamer.

Punk’s growing list of outside-the-ring credits continues to expand alongside his in-ring career, which has become a focal point of WWE programming since his high-profile return to the company. Wrestlers crossing over into mainstream film and television isn’t new — stars like Dave Bautista, John Cena, and Dwayne Johnson have built entire second careers in Hollywood — but Punk’s path has looked a little different, mixing moments like this Netflix cameo with his outspoken podcast and media presence rather than a full pivot away from wrestling.

For WWE, having one of its most talked-about stars pop up in a mainstream Netflix release is good business regardless of how big or small the role turns out to be. It’s another data point in the company’s broader strategy of leaning into crossover appeal, especially as WWE’s own flagship programming has moved to Netflix internationally and the streamer has become an increasingly important partner. Any extra visibility that puts Punk’s face in front of a non-wrestling audience, even in a supporting capacity in a holiday rom-com, lines up neatly with that larger relationship.

It’s not yet clear how large Punk’s part in ‘Guarding Stars’ actually is, and details on his character haven’t been revealed. What is clear is that the trailer marks the first real look at the project ahead of its eventual release, with the holiday branding suggesting a launch timed to the Christmas season.

Expect more promotional material, and likely some press appearances from Punk himself, as Netflix builds out the rollout for ‘Guarding Stars’ in the weeks ahead. For now, wrestling fans curious to see how their favorite straight-edge superstar handles a rom-com cameo will have the trailer to hold them over.