WWE Icon Bret Hart Endorses CM Punk, Criticizes Gunther's In-Ring Professionalism Following SummerSlam 2025

Legendary professional wrestler Bret "The Hitman" Hart has offered a detailed assessment of the contemporary WWE landscape, singling out CM Punk for high praise while expressing surprising disapproval of Gunther’s in-ring methodology. Hart’s comments, made during recent media engagements following WWE SummerSlam 2025, provide a veteran’s perspective on the art and execution of professional wrestling, particularly concerning realism and performer safety.

Bret Hart, widely regarded as one of professional wrestling’s most technically proficient and respected performers, cultivated a career spanning over two decades with a reputation for meticulous in-ring storytelling and a commitment to making wrestling appear as authentic as possible. A five-time WWE Champion and two-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, Hart’s "Excellence of Execution" moniker was earned through a style that prioritized precision, psychology, and the illusion of legitimate competition. His influence is profound, with many modern wrestlers citing his work as a benchmark for technical prowess and believable match construction. Hart’s commentary on current talent, therefore, carries significant weight within the industry and among fans who value traditional wrestling tenets.

During an interview with Complex Sports, Hart was asked to identify the best wrestler in the world today. While acknowledging his admiration for the enduring career of Rey Mysterio and the compelling presence of Roman Reigns, Hart ultimately placed CM Punk at the top of his list. "I’m a forever Rey Mysterio fan. I love watching Rey even now today, especially as he gets older," Hart stated. "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 a wrestling icon like Hart underscores Punk’s continued impact and perceived mastery of the craft, even after an extensive hiatus from WWE and a recent return marked by both triumph and adversity.

CM Punk’s journey back to WWE, following a nearly decade-long absence, culminated in a highly anticipated appearance at Survivor Series 2023. His return generated immense fan excitement, positioning him immediately as a top-tier contender. However, his path was not without obstacles. Punk sustained a significant triceps injury during the 2024 Royal Rumble match, sidelining him for several months and forcing him to miss WrestleMania XL. His recovery and subsequent return to active competition set the stage for a dramatic narrative arc leading into SummerSlam 2025, where he was slated to challenge Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship. The match was framed as a clash of styles: Punk’s renowned storytelling and technical acumen against Gunther’s hard-hitting, physically dominant approach.

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The SummerSlam 2025 encounter between CM Punk and Gunther delivered on its promise of an intense physical contest. Punk emerged victorious, securing the World Heavyweight Championship, his first WWE title in 12 years. This moment marked a significant milestone in Punk’s storied career, symbolizing a triumphant return to the pinnacle of WWE after years away. However, the celebration was fleeting. Minutes after his hard-fought victory, Seth Rollins, holding the Money in the Bank briefcase, successfully cashed in his championship opportunity. Rollins, a two-time WWE Champion and a former Universal Champion, capitalized on Punk’s exhaustion from the grueling match with Gunther, dethroning him almost immediately and ending his championship reign before it could truly begin. The sequence of events left fans with a bittersweet taste, highlighting the unpredictable nature of WWE championship pursuits.

While the Punk vs. Gunther match was widely praised as one of SummerSlam’s standout performances, earning critical acclaim for both competitors, Hart held a surprisingly contrarian view regarding Gunther’s in-ring practices. Gunther, known as "The Ring General," has garnered significant acclaim from critics and peers alike for his stiff, impactful wrestling style and his dominant reign as Intercontinental Champion, which became the longest in modern WWE history. His matches are frequently lauded for their intensity and believable physicality, often drawing comparisons to classic European strong style wrestling. However, Hart’s assessment diverged sharply from this general consensus.

Speaking on "The Masked Man Show" on Tuesday, Hart articulated his philosophy on wrestling realism and safety, directly contrasting it with what he perceived in Gunther’s performances. "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 explained. He then pivoted to his critique of 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 continued, expressing a deep-seated professional grievance. "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."

Hart’s comments underscore a fundamental difference in wrestling philosophy. His era emphasized the art of "working," where maneuvers were executed with precision and impact to create the illusion of pain and struggle without causing actual injury. The "Hitman" often prided himself on his ability to deliver a convincing performance while safeguarding his opponents. Gunther’s style, conversely, leans into a more physically demanding approach, often incorporating strikes and holds designed to feel genuinely impactful, a style that some fans and performers embrace for its perceived authenticity. Hart’s accusation of "unprofessionalism" for intentionally hurting opponents suggests a significant deviation from what he considers ethical and skillful wrestling practice.

The 68-year-old Hart’s critique extended specifically to the "chop," a common wrestling maneuver involving a forceful open-handed strike to an opponent’s chest. This move is a staple for many wrestlers, including Gunther, who is known for his particularly thunderous chops. Hart, however, views the chop with disdain, stating, "Who ever won a fight with a chop? What a waste of time. They hurt, they look like shit. They make a big slap sound, but they hurt." To illustrate his point, Hart drew a parallel to another revered, yet controversial, in-ring worker, fellow WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair. Flair, known for his signature "Wooo!" and his flamboyant style, was also a frequent user of the chop. "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 specific complaint from Hart highlights a long-standing debate within professional wrestling regarding the balance between realism and performer safety. While many modern fans appreciate the visceral impact of stiff chops and strikes, Hart’s perspective from a bygone era emphasizes the importance of protecting one’s opponent. His comments about Ric Flair’s chops, despite Flair’s legendary status, reveal a consistent objection to any move that causes unnecessary real pain, even if it is a commonly accepted part of the wrestling lexicon. For Hart, the integrity of the performance should never come at the cost of an opponent’s physical well-being. This stance aligns with his broader philosophy that professional wrestling, at its core, is a performance art designed to simulate combat, not to inflict actual harm.

Bret Hart’s candid remarks have reignited discussions within the wrestling community about in-ring safety, working styles, and the evolving definition of "professionalism." His endorsement of CM Punk, coupled with his sharp criticism of Gunther, provides a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a wrestling purist and offers a unique lens through which to view the current generation of WWE Superstars. As the industry continues to balance athletic spectacle with the long-term health of its performers, Hart’s voice remains a significant reminder of the craft’s foundational principles.