CM Punk’s return to WWE video games came as part of the most recentWWE 2K24DLC pack. WWE decided to use Punk to celebrate the history of ECW, since he was the most memorable ECW Champion during the revival under WWE’s leadership. Other ECW originals in the pack included The Sandman, Terry Funk, and the Dudley Boyz for fans willing to pay the extra ten bucks.
However, there is no debate that Punk is by far the biggest reason for this pack’s popularity. Until this downloadable content, WWE fans couldn’t play as Punk in WWE games for almost a decade after his last appearance inWWE 2K15. Punk’s current overall rating makes it worth delving deeper into the past. WWE’s video game history with CM Punk will be explored to see all the changes throughout the years in all WWE games leading toWWE 2K24.
WWE first introduced CM Punk inWWE Smackdown vs Raw 2008, back when he wasgetting started on the ECW brand. Punk was wrestling on the smaller ECW brand, but he was the ECW World Champion and the top overall superstar. WWE rewarded him with a strong rating of 92 to represent his status as a respected world champion. Some longtime fans who followed Punk’s career in Ring of Honor and smaller promotions viewed this as a massive landmark for the underground hero.
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WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2011
93
The next game ofWWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009featured Punkin his own story mode. WWE used to come up with elaborate “Road to WrestleMania” storylines for a handful of top stars on the roster. Each name would have its unique story lasting a few months that culminated at the biggest annual show of the year. Punk was rated a lower 87 rating overall, but it felt like another positive step into getting his own story.
WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2010was whenPunk started to feel like a constantin the annual WWE video games. Punk received a strong rating of 90 overall, but his infamous “it’s clobbering time” entrance was perhaps the biggest takeaway.WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2011was the final year of that series to include Punk. The main event rise of Punk gave him a new high 93 rating to mirror his career’s rise.
Becoming One Of The Faces Of WWE Boosted Ranking
2011 was the year that CM Punk took the big step from being a partial main eventer to the second most important talent inthe company behind John Cena.WWE All-Starswas an experimental game using more arcade features with the top present and past stars of 2011. Punk had a bigger presence inWWE 12as one of the biggest stars in the company. An incredible 94 overall rating made Punk one of the strongest wrestlers on the roster.
WWE 12
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WWE 13
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WWE 2K14
Punk achieved one of his greatest accolades by being the cover star ofWWE 13. The franchise continued, and Punk was able to show his presence at the top of WWE with his presence on the cover. WWE gave attention to detail, with Punk wearing his popular “best in the world” shirt and coming out tohis beloved WWE “Cult of Personality” themesong for the first time. Many fans view this as the best version of Punk in any game, with a 95 overall rating representing that.
The switch was made toWWE 2K14the following year to make some major changes, working with the established sports video game brand. Punk was playing a villain character on WWE television, so his character’s look and entrance played more into that side of him. The rating was still towards the top, dropping just one point to 94 overall. Punk felt like he would be a force in the game for many more years.
Leaving Wrestling Complicated CM Punk’s WWE Video Game History
WWE 2K15was the final year that CM Punk appeared in a WWE video game before recent changes. Punk had a 92 overall rating to show his status in the company had regressed, putting him behind names like Daniel Bryan,Brock Lesnar, and others. The game still represented him well, especially since he was unhappy with WWE in real life before his controversial walkout leaving the promotion for almost a full decade.
WWE 2K15
WWE 2K24
Punk leaving WWE led to him departing the wrestling industry until his major AEW return. The first chapter of Punk’s AEW tenure saw things going well before he ran into more drama, shades of his WWE past.AEW’sFight Forevergame is the first non-WWE console game by a top tier wrestling promotion in fifteen years, going back to when TNA had its big game release.The AEW gamedoesn’t have traditional overall ratings, but Punk has among the highest skill sets in the game.
WWE 2K24adding Punkas a downloadable character provides a huge boost to the game alongside various ECW legends in his pack. Punk made headlines by returning to WWE after vowing he’d never be back to give fans something that seemed impossible.WWE 2K24did a great job making Punk look accurate to his current form and even added his new popular t-shirt to his entrance.
The overall rating of 90 shows proper respect to Punk, especially since he’s yet to have a singles match on television since returning. WWE added some fun, whether by intention or not, to have Punk rated one point higherthan his current rival Drew McIntyre. Social media reaction proves that this adds some fun to an on-screen feud. Punk’s history in wrestling video games should continue; the only question is where he ranks in the nextWWE 2Kgame after a full year back in WWE.
WHERE TO PLAY
FORTY YEARS OF WRESTLEMANIAWrestleMania is the biggest event in sports entertainment, where Superstars become WWE Legends. Experience a gripping retelling of WrestleMania’s greatest moments in 2K Showcase of the Immortals, where you may relive a collection of some of the most unforgettable, career-defining matches.AN ICONIC ROSTERWWE 2K24 boasts a star-studded roster featuring WWE Legends like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Undertaker, and Andre the Giant, alongside current WWE Superstars like “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, John Cena, Rhea Ripley, and Roman Reigns, whose larger-than-life entrances and signature moves are heightened by ultra-realistic graphics.NEW MATCH TYPESFrom Guest Referee to Casket, Gauntlet, and Ambulance matches, there are a bevy of new match types to experience in WWE 2K24, including support for multiple Superstars in Backstage Brawl.PROVE YOURSELF IN MyRISEUnleash your raw talent and become the undisputed champ in MyRISE, featuring two thrilling career arcs and original storylines chronicling your ascent to WWE stardom from the men’s and women’s divisions.BUILD YOUR FACTIONAssemble your favorite WWE Superstars and Legends in MyFACTION. Acquire cards, build a dominant faction, compete in online multiplayer and the all-new ranked quickplay. Plus, earn exciting promotional and final rank rewards as you climb the new seasonal leaderboard!
