CM Punk is making headlines again over his interactions with WWE fans. The reigning Undisputed WWE Champion drew boos after blowing past several fans who tried to greet him during the Friday Night SmackDown tapings in Cleveland, Ohio.
Video circulating on social media shows Punk leaving ringside and heading toward the back as fans reached out for fist bumps along the way. Punk didn’t stop for any of them, including a child near the barricade. Shortly after, fans in the crowd began booing him.
The incident took place during Friday night’s tapings on August 28 at the Rocket Arena.
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8:55 PM · Aug 29, 2026 Read more on XPunk played a prominent role throughout the SmackDown tapings. He offered Johnny Gargano a shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship and went on to defeat the Cleveland native in the main event to retain the title. After the tapings wrapped, Punk and Cody Rhodes shared a special moment with Gargano in front of the local crowd.
The incident is drawing added attention because Punk was already involved in another fan-related situation recently. After a WWE live event in Las Cruces, New Mexico in July, the champion posted and later deleted a message asking fans not to follow him to his hotel.
“Please do not FOLLOW ME TO MY HOTEL. Las Cruces you were lovely! Loud and fun. See you all soon.”
Despite the boos in Cleveland, there has been no confirmation as to why Punk chose not to interact with fans at that point.