CM Punk recently shared a touching memory of a conversation he had with Bray Wyatt following the breakup of WWE’s The Nexus faction in 2011. Before becoming the cult leader known as Bray Wyatt, Windham Rotunda initially appeared as Husky Harris during NXT Season 2 and later joined The Nexus. In January 2011, CM Punk assumed leadership of The Nexus from Wade Barrett but lost several members after getting injured during a rivalry with Randy Orton at WrestleMania 27. Bray Wyatt was among those taken out by Orton, and instead of returning to WWE’s main shows, he was sent back to the developmental system.
Punk recalled feeling upset with Bray for being sent down, but Bray remained optimistic and told Punk he would work hard, return, and eventually face him in a WrestleMania main event. Bray Wyatt made his official return to WWE’s main roster at SummerSlam 2013 with The Wyatt Family, which included Eric Rowan and Luke Harper. Although Punk and Wyatt never squared off individually, their groups had clashes, most notably when Harper and Rowan faced Daniel Bryan and Punk at Survivor Series 2013.
Fan Take: This story highlights the resilience and determination behind some of WWE’s biggest stars, reminding fans how setbacks can fuel great comebacks. It also underscores the deep personal connections and hopeful aspirations that make wrestling storylines compelling beyond the ring.
