How WWE 2K26 is Helping CM Punk Grieve His Pizza-Loving Rescue Dog

CM Punk is the self-proclaimed “Best in the World”, and for millions of his adoring fans across the world, that statement rings true.

I spoke with the seven-time WWE champion and Monday Night Raw’s current World Heavyweight Champion. We had the opportunity to discuss being the face of WWE 2K26, current rivalries, and the loss of his beloved dog, Larry, who passed away in December 2025.

Following the reveal of WWE 2K26, CM Punk temporarily took over the game's social media channels, all above board, of course. One of the biggest announcements so far is that his best boy, Larry, a rescue dog from PAW’s in Chicago, is to be an in-game manager in this year's MyFACTION mode, and it meant the world to CM Punk and his wife, AJ Lee.

“It means a lot. I've cried once a day since Thanksgiving, you know, so it's still pretty fresh, and it's still pretty raw,” says CM Punk. “I don't know if it's ever gonna go away, but looking at pictures of him always makes me smile. Being able to share that joy with the world, it means a lot, you know.

“I see constant signs in the crowd and people's messages, specifically about Larry. It's great, you know, fans are always drawing him and making bracelets with his name on them and gestures like that. I love that little dude, and it's cool to see that a lot of other people did too.”

CM Punk and Larry, WWE.com

Larry, the Pizza Thief

“When we adopted Larry, AJ was still with WWE,” CM Punk recalls. In January 2014, CM Punk left WWE and would return in November 2023 at Survivor Series, in his hometown of Chicago. “One of the reasons we adopted Larry was because I was no longer on the road, travelling with WWE, and I really wanted to get a dog. It would have been irresponsible to even think about getting a dog if we were both on the road.”

“I remember once when we ordered pizza and put it on the table next to the couch. I got up to go into the kitchen, grab a drink or something, and when I walked back in, Larry had climbed up onto the table. He's bridging the couch with the table, and he had the pizza in his mouth.

“The pizza wasn't cut great, so when he picked up one piece, like the whole pizza came with him. And there was a moment where our eyes locked, and I looked at him, and he looked at me, and instead of just dropping it, he just decided to rip the entire pizza off the table,” recalls CM Punk

“It went ass over tea kettle and landed cheese side down on the carpet. Then he just fought me because he was gonna try to keep the entire pizza, and he got a couple of pieces, and I recovered what I could,” he laughs.

Seth Rollins Is Not Happy With CM Punk

When I spoke to Seth Rollins in January 2026, he made it quite clear that he was not happy with the decision made that CM Punk is the WWE 2K26 cover star.

“I never feel like CM Punk is the right choice to be the representative of anything that has to do with this business and this company. But it's not my decision, it’s not my sandbox, and these aren't my toys. I don't get to make those calls, but it is what it is. If they think they can sell video games with CM Punk on the cover? Go for it,” exclaimed Seth.

“Man, I'm tired of Seth Rollins,” grimaces CM Punk. “You know, it's funny. People are always talking about me, and it's just annoying, but I get it. I wish he got his jaw broken instead of tearing his shoulder because then maybe he would be able to shut the f**k up.”

CM Punk Has His Own Showcase in WWE 2K26

CM Punk and Stone Cold in WWE 2K26, 2K

Being the cover star of WWE 2K26, CM Punk will have some of his customary showcase campaign, which will highlight some of the greatest matches of his career, as well as those fantasy matches that never came to be. However, with his Showcase ready to go next month, I wondered if AJ Lee were to have her own Showcase, what two matches would CM Punk choose as his favourites?

“I think her match with Kaitlyn at Money in the Bank in 2013, in which she won the WWE Divas Championship, is far and away, probably one of the best matches she’s ever had. And selfishly, I’d have to pick when I tagged with her at Wrestlepalooza in September 2025 against Seth Rollins and his wife, Becky Lynch. That was so much fun.

AJ Lee’s Return After 10 Years Away From WWE

After a hiatus that lasted over 10 years, AJ Lee made her triumphant return to WWE on 5 September 2025 at SmackDown in Chicago, adding to the build to the aforementioned tag match at Wrestlepalooza.

CM Punk was in the ring with AJ Lee, and she was fully embraced and welcomed back with open arms by the WWE Universe. It was clearly a very special moment for the married couple.

“Her return meant too much, because I’m still at my core, a pro wrestling fan. So I was being a fan just like everybody else, but I was also just a super proud husband, an elated best friend. I was trying not to cry, trying not to hurt my face smiling so much. It was a tremendous personal and professional moment.

What Has Given CM Punk the Most Joy in Life Over the Last Year

“Sharing the ring with my wife and travelling with her. My experience with Larry, although painful, I think we ultimately did a beautiful thing for him. After that, it’s main eventing WrestleMania 41, and winning the World Heavyweight Championship at 47, and still competing at a very high level. I’m better than I’ve ever been.”

WWE 2K26 will be released on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2 on Friday, 13 March for the standard edition (CM Punk cover), or Friday, 6 March for the King of Kings Edition, Attitude Era Edition and the Monday Night Wars Edition.