CM Punk Says Only About Three Real Wrestling Bookers Remain in the Business

CM Punk has some pointed thoughts on the state of professional wrestling’s creative landscape — and he didn’t hold back while sharing them.

Appearing on Stephanie McMahon’s podcast, What’s Your Story?, Punk touched on the dwindling number of traditional wrestling bookers still operating in the industry. According to Punk, there are maybe three legitimate bookers left on the entire planet. He noted that the role has changed dramatically over time: where bookers once had the freedom to simply do what they wanted, that autonomy has given way to a far more complicated set of variables that come with the job today.

It’s a notable observation from someone who has been both a performer shaped by bookers and, in recent years, a figure with growing influence on creative discussions himself. The art of booking — constructing storylines, planning card flow, and managing talent dynamics — has long been considered one of wrestling’s most essential but thankless crafts. Punk’s comments suggest he believes that skill set is becoming increasingly rare as the business evolves and corporate structures play a larger role in how wrestling is presented.

Punk’s candor on the subject fits his reputation for speaking plainly about the inner workings of the industry. The full conversation with Stephanie McMahon is available on What’s Your Story?, where the two covered the topic in greater depth.