CM Punk vs. AJ Styles
These two have actually been in a match together since Punk returned to WWE in 2023. However, it may surprise you to know that they have never faced one another one-on-one.
Despite their similarities, the pair have only ever crossed paths three times. In 2003, they were on opposing tag teams for the NWA TNA pay-per-view event. 22 years later, they were in the Royal Rumble together; finally, they also competed in a Triple Threat match in order to qualify for the WWE Money in the Bank 2023 ladder match.
As Punk left the company in 2014 and AJ Styles debuted in 2016, they obviously missed one another at the time. It would’ve been interesting to see how the duo would’ve interacted in the early stage of Styles’ WWE career, especially given how fast he rose to the top.
Styles came in and made himself a main eventer in his own right, while Punk was a top guy in the company for a number of years prior. Perhaps they could’ve clashed around the time that the “Phenomenal One” was butting heads with Punk’s wrestling soulmate, John Cena.
This could’ve been a good feud for both men heading into WWE WrestleMania 33, especially after Styles’ WWE Championship loss. The pair could’ve clashed in the build-up, and the resulting bout would’ve likely been a high point on a disappointing night.
CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens
There are countless stories about the history between these two men. Punk and Owens have had problems with one another since their days in Ring of Honor. Allegedly, CM Punk took issue with the then-Kevin Steen wearing a t-shirt during his matches.
Since that day, there has been animosity between the two men. They’ve made verbal jabs at one another over the past two decades, with the “Prizefighter” stating as recently as 2024 that the pair still had their issues.
“We never talk. We have no reason to talk. We’re not friends. We’re not, we don’t, you know, we’re just not, I don’t know. We have no reason to talk. If we work together, we will talk, but just not a thing we do.”
Given that the pair have never been in the same match, it’s unlikely that it’ll ever happen, but it makes for an exciting theoretical. Given Owens’ meteoric rise upon his main roster debut in 2015, it’s likely that the pair would’ve locked horns not long after.
Imagine Owens aiming for the “Best in the World” after his trilogy with John Cena. Perhaps this could’ve taken place at WWE SummerSlam 2015, replacing KO’s match with Cesaro. Wherever it could’ve occurred, it would make for a fun dream match to see in WWE 2K26.
