- CM Punk will compete for the World Heavyweight title in Salt Lake City.
- The event marks WWE's first premium live event in Salt Lake City since 2023.
- The Utah Sports Commission estimates a $500 million economic impact from the events.
SALT LAKE CITY — Music is perhaps the most underrated piece of the professional wrestling performance, and few know it better than CM Punk.
The 47-year-old professional wrestler who was born Phillip Brooks in Chicago but goes by the previous moniker also nicknamed "The Second City Saint" in ring has one of the most iconic introductions in all of WWE — perhaps all of professional wrestling — from nearly the first note.
Once "Cult of Personality" by Living Colour drops in the arena, you know what you're in for.
The iconic entrance will play out Saturday inside Delta Center, which will host Saturday Night's Main Event for the first time (4:30 p.m. MDT, Peacock) and pit the "Second City Saint" who initially retired from WWE a decade ago before joining AEW in 2021 and re-signed with WWE in 2023 against former ally Jey Uso one-on-one for the vacant World Heavyweight title.
Punk's entrance isn't the only iconic introduction in WWE — he has a few favorites. But it's certainly on the short list on the current roster, largely for one reason.
"From the first note, you know who is coming out and that something is about to happen," Punk said. "I like Rhea Ripley's entrance, too; it's kind of like mine. We don't need all the pyrotechnics and all the other stuff. It's just a badass song, and here comes a badass."
The journey that began with the esteemed Ohio Valley Wrestling developmental circuit and led Punk to a lifelong career and his wife, fellow WWE superstar AJ Lee, has never passed through Salt Lake City. At least, Punk can't remember the last time he visited Utah — definitely before his initial retirement in 2014 and comeback seven years later with All Elite Wrestling, he said.
Now the Utah capital has a chance to hold a significant place in his storied career — as it may for several other headliners.
Punk also praised the entrance of current WWE superstar Cody Rhodes, the "American Nightmare" who enters to "Kingdom" by Riot Games composer J.D. Spears.
The current WWE Universal champion will defend his belt against the "Scottish Psychopath," Drew McIntyre, and "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio will defend his Intercontinental Championship in a triple-threat match with the immensely popular luchador Penta and Rusev.
Any could be considered a headline or main event for WWE's first premium live event in Salt Lake City since reviving the Saturday Night's Main Event brand last December.
For Punk, so could the WWE Women's Championship, where Tiffany Stratton will defend against a newly inspired Jade Cargill in a rematch of last summer's "SummerSlam" title bout.
"We haven't been to Utah in quite a while, and the Utah Sports Commission has done a really great job of bringing some of the best sports to the state of Utah," Punk said, acknowledging the work of the sports commission, Smith Entertainment Group and the Delta Center in bringing WWE back to Utah for a two-night event that will also include Friday's SmackDown on USA Network.
The sports commission estimates a $500 million economic impact for Utah's capital city from the two WWE events.
"Every single match will be high stakes, high drama," Punk added. "People always talk about who's the main event. But on a card like this, I almost want to be the opener; I want to get done with work and sit and watch the rest of the show. These matches are all hot."
But Saturday's World Heavyweight title will be extra special for Punk, who held the title in 2008-09 and briefly at SummerSlam in August before Seth Rollins cashed in his "Money in the Bank" contract to take the belt.
After Rollins was injured and the title vacated, Punk has a chance to get it back. That's if he survives Uso, the former tag-team star with twin brother Jimmy who also held the title earlier this year — and who teamed with Punk under Roman Reigns during last year's "Survivor: War Games" premium event.
Far from thinking about retirement, Punk admits that at 47, he feels like he's just getting started.
All thanks to the fans, who rile up from one singular note.
"I'm fortunate that I'm continuing to level up in this business," he said. "I just turned 47 the other day, and some people would say that's a detriment; I think it's one of the more positive things about me.
"I'm 'this old' and operating on this level, doing what to me is the best work of my career."
Tickets for both SmackDown and Saturday Night's Main Event are available on SeatGeek.
