Highlights

• Seth Rollins and CM Punk are likely building towards a showdown as tensions between them continue to rise.
• CM Punk believes Rollins despises him because they are too similar and Rollins cannot discuss his career without mentioning Punk.
• The parallels between Rollins and Punk's careers are undeniable, with Punk playing a role in getting Rollins his big break in WWE.

There's no match booked between the two for now, but it feels like we are building to a showdown in which Seth Rollins will face off with CM Punk. From the moment Punk made his shock return to WWE a match between them has been teased, fan-shot footage of Rollins being restrained at ringside surfacing shortly after. The World Champion has been outspoken when it comes to how it feels about Punk, and the two-time AEW Champion thinks it's rooted in Rollins wishing he could be him.

Punk's Little Brother

Speaking to Jackie Redmond on her NHL Show, Punk was asked why he thinks Rollins despise him so much (H/T to Fightful for the transcription).

I have been everywhere he has been and he hasn’t been everywhere I’ve been. We’re probably too similar, that’s honestly the biggest thing I can think of... The difference is, I can talk about my career, and not have to mention him. He cannot talk about his career without mentioning me.

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As if all of the above wasn't enough to stoke the Rollins fire, Punk signed off that particular topic by claiming Rollins has always viewed himself as his little brother. Whether rooted in truth or not, you can rest assured those comments, particularly that last one, aren't going to sit well with The Architect, and we might well get a response from him on Raw this Monday. That will lean into the Punk claiming Rollins can't talk about his career without mentioning Punk though, so tricky waters to navigate.

There's Truth In Punk's Comments

There are undeniable parallels to draw between Rollins and Punk. Both ascended through the ranks in Ring of Honor, each winning the promotion's richest prize. Punk then played a big role in getting Rollins his big break on WWE's main roster, playing a part in selecting him for The Shield. Punk handpicked Rollins and Jon Moxley for the group, suggesting Chris Hero in the role eventually given to Roman Reigns.

Even when there were no indicators Punk would ever come back to WWE, when asked about him, Rollins labeled his rival a cancer and told him to stay away, Punk didn't take that advice, and now here we are, almost certainly approaching a match between the two. Rollins will have to get past Jinder Mahal first, though. The Maharajah is getting a World Title shot next week, and some fans think he might actually win.