Former WWE star Ryback has stepped in as a notable public defender of CM Punk. This comes after growing online speculation about the former world champion’s physical transformation, drawing on his own credibility on physique and performance-enhancing drug discourse to push back on the steroid claims swirling around Punk.
In a post on X, the former WWE star made clear that nobody outside Punk’s inner circle actually knows what is behind the changes, and that the speculation is getting ahead of the facts.
“When I look at Punk’s physique, I don’t see something that screams steroid abuse. I see a stronger, healthier version of his previous self. There are a lot of things that can create that result. Training heavier in lower rep ranges can add thickness and density to muscles. Better nutrition, better recovery, better sleep, lower stress, eliminating seed oils, and simply being more consistent can all lead to significant improvements,” Ryback wrote.
Ryback acknowledged that TRT or HRT could be a factor, but was careful to separate that possibility from outright abuse.
“Could TRT or HRT be involved? Sure, it’s possible. But if someone has medically low testosterone or hormone levels, restoring them to healthy levels is about health and quality of life. It shouldn’t be something people are shamed for. There’s a big difference between optimizing health and abusing performance-enhancing drugs,” he said.
He was direct about where he personally lands:
“I don’t believe CM Punk is abusing steroids. I believe he’s likely made positive changes, and whatever he’s doing appears to be working.”
Ryback Calls Out Wrestling’s Body-Shaming Culture
Ryback broadened his comments beyond Punk specifically, taking aim at what he described as a reflexive culture of criticism around wrestlers’ bodies.
“What I find interesting is how much body shaming exists in pro wrestling. People complain about Mason Rook because of how he looks. People complain about CM Punk because he improved his physique. It seems no matter what someone does, there’s always a group looking to criticize,” he wrote.
Punk has been away from WWE programming in recent months. For the latest on his status, see the backstage update on CM Punk’s WWE absence and the real reason Punk was removed from WWE’s European tour.