CM Punk and Danhausen have become a surprising and popular pair in pro wrestling. Their real-life friendship helped Danhausen move from indie and AEW shows to WWE. Here is how their relationship began and why Punk pushed for him to join WWE.
How they first met
Danhausen first spoke about CM Punk on the Oral Sessions podcast in July 2021. He said Punk gave him permission to use the GTS finishing move and helped name his version “Very Nice, Very Evil.”
They met in person for the first time at Chicago’s C2E2 convention, where they spent time together and even filmed content for Danhausen’s channel. Danhausen later told UFCcoverage that meeting Punk felt surreal. He said they ate together, met fans, and even rode a scooter around the venue.
Growing friendship in and out of the ring
When both worked in AEW, their friendship grew backstage. Punk often appears in videos with Danhausen and plays a mock-annoyed role in public. On camera, Punk jokes that he keeps giving Danhausen money so the wrestler will not “curse” him. The playful teasing became a running gag fans enjoy.
Punk has paid Danhausen on camera a few times. Once he gave Danhausen money in apology for a move dispute. Later, at an autograph signing, Punk handed money to get Danhausen to leave him alone. The moments showed a friendly, humorous bond that fans could see on social media and at events.
Punk’s role in Danhausen’s WWE move
Danhausen made his WWE debut at Elimination Chamber 2026 in Chicago, the same city Punk calls home. The debut had a rocky start because fans expected a different surprise. Still, Danhausen quickly won fans over after a backstage segment and regular TV spots.
Reports say CM Punk played a key role in getting Danhausen signed to WWE. Punk told UFCcoverage that Danhausen fits WWE well. He called Danhausen a “throwback” and said the character is easy to use in many situations because it depends on how other people react to him. Punk also said he hoped he had said enough nice things that Danhausen would not curse him.
What’s next for the pair
CM Punk and Danhausen being in the same company again feels natural to many fans. WWE has already used Danhausen in prominent segments, and his merch sales are strong. If WWE pairs the two on-screen more often, it could lead to more memorable moments and strong crowd reactions.
Both men show they enjoy working together. For now, their friendship keeps growing in public and behind the scenes. Fans will watch to see if WWE brings them into the same match or storyline soon.
