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Kevin Owens Aims To End CM Punk's Career At WWE Money In The Bank

2026-10-21 · Kevin Owens · Player Focus

Kevin Owens is heading into WWE's Money in the Bank premium live event with a singular, destructive goal: ending the career of his bitter rival, CM Punk. The former Universal Champion's vendetta overshadows even the high-stakes opportunity to win the coveted briefcase this weekend in New Orleans.

Owens Vows To Remove CM Punk From WWE

Owens left no room for ambiguity about his intentions. Speaking on the Money in the Bank Countdown show with Cathy Kelley, he stated his biggest objective for the ladder match. "I'm going into this ladder match with a lot of different goals. One of them, the biggest one, is to hopefully end scumbag CM Punk's career," Owens said. He expressed a deep personal disdain for Punk, claiming his removal would make WWE a better place. Owens believes fan adulation for Punk is based on a false image. "I don't want him around. I don't want him in my locker room. I don't want him on my shows. The fans can love him, and it's fine. I understand, but they don't know him," he explained. Only after dealing with Punk does Owens plan to focus on the other five competitors in the match: Je'Von Evans, Trick Williams, Bron Breakker, and Penta.

Why Owens Returned To NXT After Seven Years

Just days before the major pay-per-view, Owens made a special appearance at an NXT live event in Gatineau, Quebec on October 17. It was his first in-ring action for the brand since a WarGames match in 2019. Owens teamed with Tony D'Angelo, Kendal Grey and Shiloh Hill to defeat the faction Birthright in the main event. After the match, he explained his reasons for returning. A key motivator was the chance to work with the next generation. "Knowing that I get to share the ring with people that are shaping the future of what WWE will be" made the offer appealing, Owens told the crowd. He specifically praised his partners, calling them the present of the brand. But the deciding factor was a personal request from WWE Performance Center coach Steve Corino. "The person who asked me to be here, there is no way I would say no to," Owens admitted, despite a grueling travel schedule that took him from Winnipeg to Sacramento before finally reaching Gatineau.

Owens Continues Punk Feud During NXT Appearance

Even while celebrating NXT's new talent, Owens couldn't resist taking another shot at CM Punk. Addressing the Quebec crowd, he tied his recent struggles directly to his rival. "The last three weeks I've been a struggle, because I've had to endure CM Punk's company and I don't like that," Owens said. He suggested that anyone who truly knew Punk would also consider retirement, a clear reference to his career-ending threat for the Money in the Bank match. This verbal jab seamlessly wove his current main roster storyline into the NXT environment, keeping the intense feud at the forefront just days before their showdown.

A Look At The Upcoming Money In The Bank Match

The 2026 Men's Money in the Bank ladder match is set for this weekend at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The field is one of the most diverse in recent memory, blending established main event stars with rising talent. Owens and CM Punk bring years of top-level experience and a deeply personal grudge. They are joined by the raw power of Bron Breakker, the high-flying style of Penta, and the youthful energy of NXT standouts Trick Williams and Je'Von Evans. Every man will be battling for a contract that guarantees a world title shot at any time for the next year. But for Kevin Owens, climbing the ladder is a secondary concern. His mission is to ensure CM Punk never gets the chance to climb it at all.

  • Career Threat: Kevin Owens' stated primary goal at Money in the Bank is to end CM Punk's wrestling career.
  • NXT Return: Owens wrestled at an NXT live event on October 17, his first match for the brand in seven years.
  • Personal Invite: He accepted the NXT appearance because coach Steve Corino personally asked him.
  • Event Date: The Men's Money in the Bank ladder match takes place this weekend, October 2026, in New Orleans.

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