WWE Bad Blood 2024 Results: CM Punk Defeats Drew McIntyre In Epic Bout

The rivalry between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre stands out as the top feud in WWE for this year. (Photo: WWE/Getty Images)

CM Punk achieved his most significant win in WWE in over ten years by overcoming his longtime rival Drew McIntyre within the Hell in a Cell structure at Bad Blood 2024.

Undoubtedly one of the top rivalries in professional wrestling this year, the clash between Punk and McIntyre was destined for a particular showdown. Given the deep intensity and animosity of their feud, the Hell in a Cell format was an ideal choice to wrap up what is poised to be remembered as one of the greatest conflicts in WWE history.

Indeed, after Punk triumphed in the final showdown at Bad Blood with a crushing GTS that capped off an unforgettable match, this iconic rivalry should come to a close—at least for the time being.

It's almost certain that WWE will bring back the rivalry between Punk and McIntyre at some point, as they frequently do with popular storylines. At the Bad Blood event, Punk triumphed over McIntyre in a convincing manner, landing a crushing GTS while wearing a steel chain on his knee. This spectacular finish capped off an almost perfectly crafted feud that elevated McIntyre to become the leading villain on Raw and reaffirmed Punk's status as a cherished fan favorite, just like he was over ten years ago.

However, following a significant and truly remarkable win, Punk may have even greater challenges ahead.

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Punk's comeback to WWE has undoubtedly been a success, as he has attracted significant attention on Raw and social media. With his rivalry with McIntyre seemingly behind him for the moment, Punk is expected to rise higher in the rankings, which is exactly where he belongs.

What’s next for Punk? It seems he might be in line for a match at Survivor Series against World Heavyweight Champion Gunther later next month. Although there’s still the Crown Jewel event to navigate in early November, the road to Gunther for Punk appears straightforward. With Gunther finishing up his rivalry with Damian Priest, Seth Rollins tied up with Bronson Reed, Randy Orton returning to SmackDown, and Sami Zayn possibly serving as a temporary opponent, it’s clear that Gunther doesn’t have many strong contenders left on Raw.

A feud between Gunther and Punk would give WWE a top-tier rivalry for the World Heavyweight Championship that they could promote on the red brand for the next few months, especially as we approach the Royal Rumble. However, it's uncertain what this would mean for McIntyre's future.

McIntyre is undoubtedly one of WWE's most versatile talents and deserves to stay a major draw on Raw. However, it's evident that there aren't many high-caliber rivals available for him. A renewed rivalry with Zayn or Priest could be interesting, but honestly, anything McIntyre does next—unless it involves a championship rivalry with Gunther—might seem like a regression.

The WWE creative team has a challenging task ahead as they look to evolve McIntyre's story into a significant rivalry after his outstanding feud with Punk, which concluded with an amazing performance at Bad Blood. Nevertheless, Triple H, who leads the creative direction, has earned our trust, having consistently delivered engaging storylines that don’t revolve around championships.

A short break from television might be beneficial for McIntyre, allowing him to return later this year with a fresh perspective. This way, he can fade from viewers' minds while Punk shifts his attention to larger goals. It seems inevitable that Punk will continue to excel, as he has been impressive in both his wrestling and character work since his unexpected comeback at the end of 2023.

WWE is expected to elevate Punk to new heights following his victory over McIntyre, and that’s precisely the right move since Punk remains one of the most captivating figures in professional wrestling.