CM Punk Announced As Special Referee For WWE NXT Title Match

CM Punk returned to WWE NXT on September 17, with the former WWE Champion promising he’d have an announcement ahead of NXT’s CW debut in Chicago on October 1.

During the contract signing segment between NXT Champion Ethan Page and Trick Williams, Punk’s ‘Cult of Personality’ theme hit, with the controversial star making his way to the ring as Page and Williams looked stunned. Punk had appeared earlier in the show when he was interrupted by Roxanne Perez and Giulia, with Punk later admitting that his earlier segment was meant to hype up the men’s NXT Championship match on October 1.

Punk said the title match needed something special, to which the NXT audience chanted ‘referee’. Punk stroked his chin and agreed, revealing that he was set to don the zebra stripes for Page vs. Williams. Punk reiterated that both need men just need to listen to the official, and as the official he didn’t care if they started fighting right there and then, to which both men obliged.

Updated card - NXT, October 1 2024:

• Ethan Page (c) vs. Trick Williams - NXT Championship, CM Punk Special Referee
• Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Giulia - NXT Women's Championship
• Wes Lee vs. Zachary Wentz - Street Fight
• WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair to appear
• Miz TV