Jeff Jarrett has pushed back against criticism of CM Punk’s moonsault at SummerSlam, arguing that many fans misunderstood what they were watching. Speaking on his podcast, Jarrett said Punk’s aerial move was intentional rather than a mistake, describing it as “a Funk moonsault” inspired by WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk’s distinctive style. He suggested that some fans are too quick to label anything unconventional as a botch, adding that Punk was never attempting to deliver a flawless, gymnastics-style moonsault. Instead, Jarrett maintained that the execution perfectly reflected Punk’s intended approach and suited both his in-ring style and veteran character, making the move more authentic than technically polished.
“I saw the moonsault, and that’s where, God bless wrestling fans, you know how, Conrad, we say we just want to believe? I think there are certain wrestling fans, and I’m here for it, keep watching, keep criticizing, keep commenting, but I think there’s a section of fans that want to believe they know what they’re talking about, and they would never ever believe, ‘Oh, Punk’s moonsault, that’s exactly how he wanted to do it.’ It was a Funk moonsault. It was his version. If Punk hit this textbook gymnastic moonsault… if he hit a Komander moonsault, nobody expects that. Nobody wants that. … King Cobra Fergie used to do a spot where he’d tell me, ‘Hey man, you go for the lock-up, I’m gonna go for the top wrist lock. It’s gonna feel disjointed. That’s how I want it.’ It looked kind of funky, that’s what I’m saying. Some people want to believe so bad that you have to have everything perfect and seamless in a dance contest and a true ballet performance.” – Jeff Jarrett
Jarrett’s comparison referenced Terry Funk, whose version of the moonsault was never celebrated for technical perfection but instead embodied his rugged, unpredictable wrestling style. Throughout his legendary career, Funk frequently incorporated awkward-looking offense that appeared unpolished by design, using it to reinforce the realism and intensity of his matches rather than showcase athletic precision. According to Jarrett, that philosophy remains just as relevant in modern wrestling, arguing that not every high-risk maneuver needs to look perfectly choreographed. In his view, Punk’s SummerSlam moonsault reflected that same intentional, unconventional approach, paying tribute to Funk’s legacy while emphasizing character and storytelling over flawless execution.
