CM Punk Was Booked To Win Royal Rumble, Asuka’s Title Reign

CM Punk Was Booked To Win Royal Rumble

To say former champion CM Punk is still bitter would be an understatement.

Punk, during a recent episode of WWE Backstage, was discussing the 2008 Royal Rumble. The event featured a surprise return by John Cena, who would go on to with the match.

However, Punk was originally scheduled to be the winner before Cena made his return. Cena recovered quicker than expected from an injury, allowing him to be the last man standing.

“I was supposed to win it,” Punk said. “I was supposed to win that Royal Rumble. Then John Cena comes back in 3 months from the torn pec. Thank You, John.”

Despite not winning the Royal Rumble that year, Punk would go on to claim Money in the Bank a few months later and won the event again in 2019. Meanwhile, he held the WWE World Heavyweight Championship three times and the WWE title twice, along with the ECW belt.

Punk would become the 19th triple crown winner in WWE history before leaving the promotion in 2015. A year later, he made his debut in mixed martial arts, competing for the UFC.

In his MMA career, Punk fought twice, losing via submission in the first round to Mickey Gall and dropping a decision in 2018 to Mike Jackson.

FOX Sports 1 will be re-airing the 2008 Royal Rumble on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET with another edition of WWE Backstage to follow at 11 p.m. ET.

Asuka’s Title Reign

With Paul Heyman being removed as executive director of RAW, some who were “Paul Heyman Guys” are worried about their position within the company.

Meanwhile, one of those, Asuka, is believed to be still in high regard in the eyes of Vince McMahon despite the dismissal of Heyman – who was behind her major push.

“He [Vince] is still high on Asuka, she won’t be hurt with Heyman gone,” WrestleTalk is reporting.

The 38-year-old from Osaka, Japan is the current RAW women’s champion. During her first reign, she has defended the title twice over Nia Jax after being awarded it following a victory at Money in the Bank.

Becky Lynch vacated the belt after announcing her pregnancy, with Asuka’s briefcase holding the title instead of the usual contract for a championship match.

She made her WWE debut in 2015 competing in NXT. Asuka has also held the SmackDown women’s ttitle, the women’s tag team belts, won the 2018 Royal Rumble and is the second-ever women’s grand slam champion.

In summary, Vince McMahon has given up on many Paul Heyman favorites. Although, Asuka seems safe with her position.