Pat McAfee slams CM Punk, says he’s ‘not worth the price of admission’

CM Punk versus Pat McAfee was not something most had on their wrestling bingo card for 2026. But as the fallout from Raw bleeds into Tuesday, this may be one to book following WrestleMania.

On Monday, Punk called out McAfee and referenced his agent, TKO CEO Ari Emanuel, while demanding that WWE’s parent company lower ticket prices. McAfee issued a response that’s been indicative of this year’s build for Mania.

“Last night a Punk ass bitch explained that he is not worth the price of admission to WrestleMania 42,” McAfee wrote on X. “We can all agree with that… It’s kind of the whole thing I been sayin’.”

Unlike any Mania in history, WWE has leaned into its stars slamming the company and each other. Punk’s scathing promo also saw him attack his Mania opponent, Roman Reigns, calling him a “bucked-tooth nepo baby” who failed as a Mania headliner in his first eight tries.

It was a fiery retort on a road to WrestleMania that followed Reigns calling Punk old, McAfee labelling Cody Rhodes as a failed champion, and Liv Morgan firing shots at her Mania opponent, Stephanie Vaquer, and Vaquer’s mother.

While Punk’s stance on ticket prices appeals to fans feeling the box office crunch, it undercuts his value as a star. As a headliner, he should expect — and defend — fans paying top dollar to see him because it ultimately helps his bottom line, as well as his peers and the company.

McAfee closed by hyping Randy Orton, whom he’ll back against Rhodes at Mania. Highlighting Orton’s accomplishments, he framed Orton as a full-price attraction rather than a discount draw, while repeating their mission statement.

“The business needs us,” McAfee wrote. “The actual fans of wrestling need to come together and thank the man who is gonna save the business.”