Triple H has subtly confirmed 46-year-old WWE star will not win King of the Ring 

WWE’s King of the Ring tournament is back with a fresh twist in 2025, with the winner set to earn a World Championship shot at SummerSlam, much like last year. However, it may have already quietly ruled out one of the biggest names in wrestling: CM Punk.

While fans were initially thrilled to see The Second City Saint featured in early promotional material for WWE Night of Champions, where the Queen & King of the Ring tournaments are set to culminate, Punk has since been removed from all official graphics—a move that has not gone unnoticed.

CM Punk, known for his vocal stance on social and ethical issues, has been publicly against performing in Saudi shows throughout his career. Given his history and Punk being categorically removed from the hype video of the show after initially being included, it’s hard to imagine Punk agreeing to wrestle there.

This makes a KOTR victory for him practically impossible, not just in 2025 but for the foreseeable future. Being King of the Ring remains one of the few accomplishments that yet elude the Voice of the Voiceless.

However, that isn’t to say CM Punk won’t have a major role at SummerSlam 2025. Current speculation strongly points to a blockbuster match against Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship. Rollins is the favorite to win the Money in the Bank briefcase tonight, with the potential of a cash-in on Jey Uso as soon as this Monday.

Punk and Rollins have been circling each other since the former's return to the company, and with Money in the Bank looming, that situation is bound to finally explode.

Another intriguing possibility? John Cena vs. CM Punk for the WWE Championship—an iconic rivalry revisited in what could be one of Cena’s final marquee matches. But much like the Rollins feud, that match wouldn’t need to go through the King of the Ring bracket either, with personal animosity quite sufficient to warrant one of the biggest matches of the year.

With CM Punk out of the picture, who is most likely to win King of the Ring 2025?

The favorite heading into this year’s tournament may be none other than Punk's good friend, Cody Rhodes. The American Nightmare has already proven he can thrive in high-pressure, big-stage situations. Having him win the crown and go on to challenge John Cena for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam would be a natural story of overcoming adversity, and a rematch earned.

If CM Punk is indeed pulled from the tournament entirely, WWE will need to ensure he remains entangled in the Rollins saga on RAW. If he is still a part of the initial stages of the tournament, one route could see Punk taken out of the match by Rollins’ crew, keeping him far from the crown but locked onto a SummerSlam collision course.

Money in the Bank tonight could clarify these directions, while the announcement of the KOTR brackets will put to rest speculation regarding Punk's participation. But as things stand, it’s becoming clearer by the day: CM Punk will not win King of the Ring 2025—and Triple H may have already let us know.