CM Punk being the cover star of WWE 2K26 was already a big deal. Now there’s an even bigger twist for longtime fans — and it’s straight out of his Ring of Honor days.
After WWE confirmed Punk as the face of WWE 2K26 during the Royal Rumble Kickoff Show, attention quickly shifted to his 2K Showcase Mode and the ability to relive major moments from his career. But the latest update might be the real nostalgia bomb.
According to TechRadar, WWE 2K MyRise lead narrative designer Sean Conaway confirmed that players will be able to unlock a throwback version of CM Punk — complete with his ROH-era theme “Miseria Cantare” by AFI.
“Conaway also shared that with MyRise this year, you’ll be able to unlock the likes of Polka Dot Dusty Rhodes and the 2003 independent scene version of cover star CM Punk (and yes, 2K has sprung for 2000s punk rockers AFI’s Miseria Cantare as his entrance theme for this version of the character).”
The game will feature the 2003 independent scene version of CM Punk, who is officially in the game, and 2K didn’t cut corners. They secured the actual AFI track that defined Punk’s early career long before his WWE pipebomb or his 434-day title reign.
For fans who followed Punk through ROH before his WWE breakout, this is a full-circle moment. Not only is he the WWE 2K26 cover star for the second time in his career, but now players can step into a version of Punk that predates the mainstream limelight entirely.
WWE 2K26 drops March 13, 2026, just weeks before WrestleMania 42, and will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. Between Showcase Mode, MyRise unlockables, and the return of “Miseria Cantare,” this version of Punk might be the most complete digital package fans have ever gotten.
Is bringing back CM Punk’s ROH theme the ultimate nostalgia move by 2K — or is there another version of Punk you still want to see in the game? Drop your thoughts below and let us know what you think.