CM Punk's promo on endometriosis sparks backlash during SmackDown

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Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk and Kevin Owens face off during SmackDown at TD Garden on August 14, 2026, in Boston, Massachusetts. | Photo by Brien Adams/WWE via Getty Images CM Punk and Kevin Owens exchanged some fiery words on the latest episode of SmackDown (August 14) that got fans talking. While the back-and-forth got a lot of viewers excited about the burgeoning feud between the two stars, a lot of people on social media are debating the Undisputed WWE Champion’s reference to endometriosis to insult KO. According to the Mayo Clinic, endometriosis occurs when “tissue that is similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus.” Additionally, “the main complication of endometriosis is trouble getting pregnant, also called infertility. Up to half of people with endometriosis have a hard time conceiving.” During the promo battle on SmackDown, Punk compared Owens to the painful condition, saying: “I’m calling out Oba Femi, and I get endometriosis instead.” The line was meant to be edgy, though many people felt it went too far considering the pain associated with endometriosis. “I know a few women with Endometriosis and it’s their nightmare,” one person on X (Twitter) wrote. “CM Punk really is tone def and this adds to why I perceive him as an a*****e.” “CM Punk using endometriosis as an insult to someone is sickening. Endometriosis ruins women’s lives bro and I’m one of them,” X user “KatieCrippleH” posted. “Do you know what getting tissue scraped out of your uterus and fallopian tubes is like? No because you’re not a f***king woman, do not ever f***ing use that phrase again.” “No uterus? No opinion,” another X user wrote. “People need to stop defending what Punk said and hold him accountable. Endometriosis is a horrible thing to experience, and the men & people who don’t understand the condition need to learn how to shut their mouths.” no uterus? no opinion. people need to stop defending what punk said and hold him accountable. endometriosis is a horrible thing to experience, and the men & people who don’t understand the condition need to learn how to shut their mouths. — 𖥻 mae ✮ (@maxtheorys) August 15, 2026 Countering the argument that such lines have no place on television in 2026 are people who contend that professional wrestling is meant to be provocative. According to those expressing this sentiment, insults of questionable taste have always been commonplace in the world of wrestling, and this was even more so the case during other periods of time. “The Attitude Era was worse than this. Tell you didn’t live through it without telling me you didn’t live through,” a person who uses the name “jerseyboyoof” on Meta’s Threads wrote in response to a complaint about Punk’s joke. In the same comments section, another Threads user wrote: “It’s a tv show. It’s all scripted. Get ahold of yourself and find a safe space.” Punk had other defenders who argued that his critics have used similarly offensive terms about him. “Can someone explain the difference? Honestly asking. People got mad at CM Punk’s endometriosis line – people are mad because it’s a life-threatening disease, but people will happily sit on the Internet and call CM Punk a cancer which is another life-threatening disease,” wrote an X user. What do you think, Cagesiders? Did Punk go too far with the endometriosis line, or are such references fair game in the world of wrestling? Let us know in the comments.