CM Punk Hopes Next Generation of WWE Stars Work Less and Earn More

CM Punk has never been shy about voicing his opinions on the wrestling business, and his latest remarks are no exception. During an appearance on What’s Your Story? with Steph McMahon, the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion made clear that he wants the next wave of professional wrestlers to have it better than he did — fewer dates on the road and bigger paychecks to show for it.

“I want the next generation to work less and get paid more than I did, because that’s what you should want in any business,” Punk said.

To illustrate the point, Punk drew a comparison to the NHL, where he says veteran players celebrate rather than resent the ballooning salaries earned by younger athletes entering the league.

“I talk to a lot of my friends in the NHL, and they’re stoked. They’re like, ‘This is great. These young kids are making more money than we ever did. This is great,'” Punk said. “I want that for wrestlers.”

The comments fit neatly alongside other observations Punk made during the interview about how WWE’s backstage environment has shifted. He noted that today’s management takes a more patient approach to developing talent — a stark contrast, in his view, to earlier in his career when he believed a single misstep could cost a wrestler their spot on the main roster entirely.

Punk is speaking from a position of hard-won experience and current relevance. He holds the Undisputed WWE Championship after defeating Sami Zayn for the title, and his first defense is already booked — he’ll put the belt on the line against Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam, scheduled across two nights on August 1st and 2nd in Minneapolis. Whatever one thinks of Punk the provocateur, his advocacy for the next generation landing better deals than he did is a rare piece of goodwill toward the industry he helped shape.