Wrestling Icon Bret Hart Applauds CM Punk's Prowess While Labeling Gunther's In-Ring Approach as 'Unprofessional'

Legendary professional wrestler Bret "The Hitman" Hart has recently offered a candid assessment of the contemporary WWE landscape, singling out CM Punk for high praise as the sport’s premier performer today, while concurrently expressing strong disapproval of Gunther’s in-ring methodology, which Hart characterized as "unprofessional" due to its perceived propensity for causing legitimate injury. Hart, a two-time WWE Hall of Famer and widely revered as one of the most technically proficient wrestlers in history, shared his insights during recent media engagements, providing a stark contrast in his evaluation of two prominent figures within the industry.

Hart’s commentary comes on the heels of a significant period for CM Punk, who, after a tumultuous return to World Wrestling Entertainment at Survivor Series 2023, found himself challenging Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam 2025. Hart explicitly stated his preference for Punk in the highly anticipated championship contest, aligning himself with a segment of the fanbase eager to see Punk reclaim top-tier championship status within WWE after a prolonged absence from the company’s main event picture.

When questioned about his pick for the best active wrestler, Hart positioned Punk ahead of other notable names. "I’m a forever Rey Mysterio fan. I love watching Rey even now today, especially as he gets older," Hart conveyed to Complex Sports. "But I’m also a big fan of Roman Reigns, and I think if I had answered the question, I’d say CM Punk." This endorsement from Hart carries significant weight, given his own legacy as a meticulous craftsman in the squared circle, whose matches were often lauded for their realism and storytelling without sacrificing opponent safety. Punk’s career, marked by a unique blend of technical skill, compelling character work, and microphone prowess, has seen him capture multiple world championships across various promotions. His return to WWE in late 2023 marked an unexpected chapter, generating considerable buzz and speculation regarding his potential impact on the current product. Prior to his departure in 2014, Punk had established himself as one of the most popular and influential figures of his era, including a record-setting 434-day reign as WWE Champion, a benchmark that stood for nearly a decade before being surpassed by Roman Reigns. His recent trajectory, following a stint in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), culminated in a renewed pursuit of WWE championship gold, leading directly to the SummerSlam main event against Gunther.

The SummerSlam encounter between CM Punk and Gunther was positioned as a marquee match for the newly reinstated World Heavyweight Championship, a title that signifies top-tier status within the RAW brand. The contest was widely anticipated, pitting Punk’s veteran experience and diverse offensive arsenal against Gunther’s acclaimed hard-hitting, European strong-style approach. The match itself, which saw both competitors push the limits of physical endurance and strategic execution, was broadly praised by critics and fans for its intensity and dramatic narrative. In a hard-fought battle, CM Punk emerged victorious, securing the World Heavyweight Championship, his first WWE main roster title in 12 years. This momentous win, however, proved to be short-lived. Minutes after his arduous victory, Seth Rollins, who held the coveted Money in the Bank briefcase, capitalized on Punk’s exhaustion. Rollins successfully cashed in his contract, swiftly defeating a weakened Punk to claim the World Heavyweight Championship, thus denying Punk a sustained reign and adding a layer of bittersweet irony to his championship triumph.

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Despite the critical acclaim for the SummerSlam bout and Gunther’s widely recognized status as one of professional wrestling’s most dominant and skilled in-ring performers, Hart offered a surprisingly contrarian perspective on "The Ring General." Gunther, leader of the Imperium faction, had, until recently, concluded a record-breaking 666-day reign as the Intercontinental Champion, a period during which he solidified his reputation for delivering physically demanding and impactful matches. His stiff, no-nonsense style, characterized by powerful chops and submissions, has earned him comparisons to classic European heavyweights and a high degree of respect from many within the industry and fanbase. He is consistently ranked among the top performers globally for his ability to convey intensity and realism.

Hart, however, expressed a fundamental disagreement with Gunther’s approach, particularly concerning the perceived level of physical impact on opponents. "The best wrestling has to pretend to be real. That’s what I did. I tried to make it as real as I could," Hart articulated during an interview on "The Masked Man Show." He then directly addressed his concerns regarding Gunther. "Contrary to that Gunther guy, who seems like a nice enough guy when I met him, but I hate wrestlers that hurt each other on purpose."

Hart elaborated on his philosophy, which emphasizes the theatricality and illusion of combat over actual physical harm. "I have no respect for guys who hurt each other all the time. It’s just to me, lazy, shit wrestling when guys like Gunther… I’ve told him this to his face, it’s bullshit. When you’re hurting somebody for real, you’re unprofessional. I wrestled guys and never hurt anybody." This statement underscores Hart’s long-held belief in the artistry of professional wrestling – a performance that simulates reality with precise execution, designed to protect the health and longevity of its participants. Hart’s career, spanning decades, is often cited as a testament to this philosophy, as he maintained a reputation for being an exceptionally safe worker while consistently delivering compelling and believable matches. The "Hitman" era of wrestling, particularly in the 1990s, emphasized technical precision, submission mastery, and intricate match psychology, a style Hart mastered and championed.

The 68-year-old wrestling veteran also seemingly holds a longstanding grievance with the "chop," a common and often visually impactful maneuver in professional wrestling, particularly favored by wrestlers like Gunther and, historically, by another WWE Hall of Famer, Ric Flair. Chops, which involve a wrestler striking an opponent’s chest with an open hand, are known for their loud sound and the visible reddening or bruising they can cause. Hart views this particular move as counterproductive to the core principles of professional wrestling.

"Who ever won a fight with a chop? What a waste of time," Hart questioned, challenging the efficacy of the move within the context of a simulated combat sport. "They hurt, they look like shit. They make a big slap sound, but they hurt." He further illustrated his point by recalling experiences with Ric Flair, a wrestler renowned for his signature "Wooo!"-accompanied chops, which became a staple of his flamboyant in-ring persona. "When you get chopped by somebody like Ric Flair for a 30-minute match and he chops you 15 times, your whole chest the next day is bruises. It hurts to put a shirt on." This critique highlights Hart’s consistent argument against moves that inflict genuine, albeit non-critical, pain, contrasting with the theatrical purpose of wrestling.

The debate over "stiff" working styles versus safety is a recurring theme within professional wrestling, with different eras and regional styles often placing varying emphasis on the physical toll of matches. While some argue that a higher degree of legitimate impact enhances realism and intensity, others, like Hart, maintain that the primary goal should always be the protection of the performers while still delivering an engaging spectacle. Hart’s recent remarks underscore this long-standing philosophical divide, offering a pointed critique from one of the industry’s most respected figures on the contemporary in-ring product. His endorsement of CM Punk, contrasted with his strong disapproval of Gunther’s perceived "unprofessional" methods, provides a significant talking point for fans and industry observers alike as the landscape of professional wrestling continues to evolve.