David Otunga Praises CM Punk's Physical Transformation

CM Punk's noticeably larger physique following his return to WWE after WrestleMania 42 has drawn attention from wrestling fans, prompting questions about his transformation. Former WWE star David Otunga praised Punk's dedication to fitness on October 10, 2026, saying the veteran wrestler has taken his physical conditioning seriously.

Otunga shared his perspective on his YouTube channel, drawing on their time together in WWE's Nexus stable and his memories of Punk's early approach to weight training. He expressed pride in the progress his former colleague has made and suggested that Punk is currently in the best shape of his life.

Otunga recalled an encounter at the gym during their first WWE runs, when Punk approached him while he was squatting. The exchange left a lasting impression because it demonstrated Punk's willingness to learn from someone with more experience in strength training.

"CM Punk's gone under a tremendous body transformation," said David Otunga on his YouTube channel.

Otunga explained that he and Punk spent time on the road together during their early WWE careers. He remembered Punk asking him about his decision to squat without a weightlifting belt, a question that reflected the wrestler's growing interest in training techniques.

"I was squatting and he came up and asked me a question, and he's like: 'Clearly, you do this for a long time, how come you're not wearing a [squatting] belt?" Otunga recalled.

Otunga said he did not need a belt for the exercise. Punk's reaction suggested that he was genuinely interested in understanding the reasoning behind different training practices, rather than simply following routines without asking questions.

"It stuck out to me because I was like, 'Yo, he really is serious about this now," Otunga said.

The former WWE star also highlighted the contrast between their respective areas of experience at the time. While Otunga had more familiarity with weight training, Punk had greater wrestling experience, creating an opportunity for both men to learn from each other.

"He's humble enough and ... realized he's a beginner in working out, and asked me questions, where I'm clearly a beginner at wrestling — I have to ask him a ton of questions about wrestling, but he deferred to me in the gym." Otunga said.

Otunga added that the encounter helped shape his support for Punk over the years. He said he wants to see the veteran continue succeeding and improving his physique, and believes Punk has reached the best physical condition of his career.