Sami Zayn recognized CM Punk’s greatness only after wrestling him

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - SEPTEMBER 11: Sami Zayn with a Helluva Kick to CM Punk during SmackDown at Arena Ciudad de Mexico on September 11, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/WWE via Getty Images) | WWE via Getty Images CM Punk has pissed off pretty much everyone in the pro wrestling industry at one time or another, and that’s led to plenty of folks being unwilling and therefore unable to recognize just how great he really is at what he does. It can look like he’s sloppy in the ring, and maybe he doesn’t have the typical look of top stars before him. But come on, right? The results speak for themselves. Well, one guy who has come around on him is the guy who just took the WWE championship from him, Sami Zayn. That’s what he told Busted Open Radio when Bully Ray asked if he still sees Punk as phony or overrated (via F4WOnline.com): “Phony, yeah. Overrated? I have to be honest, you know, I never got in the ring with him until earlier this year, and I can’t take it away fr