WWE Superstar CM Punk recently spoke about the one thing he missed while away from wrestling. He also talks about what he thinks of the current level of talent in WWE. CM Punk left WWE and was away from wrestling for seven years and away from WWE for even longer. During his time away he stayed away from wrestling for the most part, but he slowly eased back into it and closer to WWE.
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When CM Punk retired to wrestling in 2021 he spent some time in AEW before he was fired. At the 2023 Survivor Series, he made his return to WWE. His history and hatred surrounding his first time with WWE is well documented. However, since returning he has made himself at home and has found himself in prominent feuds.
Even though prior to leaving CM Punk was really hating WWE and wrestling it wasn’t all bad for him. During a recent interview with Busted Open Radio, CM Punk talked about one of the things he missed most about wrestling after leaving WWE. He stated the following:
“[I missed] the boys, hanging out in the locker room. It’s a crazy business, but it’s still a job. There’s people you see at work who are work acquaintances and when you’re not at work, you don’t see ’em. It’s hard to keep in touch with everybody, so just kinda reconnecting with people, seeing a lot of people I haven’t seen in 10 years is a real treat. Getting to see them every week again has been fun”
H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription
CM PUNK EVALUATES THE WWE ROSTER
Being away from wrestling for seven years is a long time and being away from WWE for nine years is long enough for a lot to change in wrestling. Wrestlers quit, get fired, and return and leave again. Some of the friends from 2014 WWE are still around like Kofi Kingston and some are in AEW. Punk was able to see old friends like Bryan Danielson in AEW and make new friends like FTR and Jade Cargill.
It is always good to see old friends and catch up. Punk gets to see some of those old friends every week now. However, because Punk is such a divisive person he made more than a few enemies in his career. Unfortunately, some of those enemies are some of the top Superstars in WWE.
Punk has been embroiled in a feud with two of those enemies. They happen to be former WWE World Heavyweight Champions Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre. Punk last wrestled McIntyre at SummerSlam earlier this month. Now that Punk has settled into WWE he has had a chance to look over the current roster. During an interview with The Masked Man Show, Punk gave his evaluation of the current talent level in WWE and he approved of WWE’s current roster. CM Punk stated the following:
“I’m grateful because of the embarrassment of riches I’m surrounded with. I don’t think a roster has been as strong as it is. Cody [Rhodes is] killing it. Jade [Cargill is] killing it. Rhea [Ripley], Damian Priest coming into his own. Finn Bálor obviously, Dominik [Mysterio]. I’m going to get in trouble for forgetting to mention some certain people.”
H/T Wrestling Inc. for the transcription
Punk went on to say that the main event picture is really crowded right now. He compared it to past years when fans would come to see or tune in to see a few people. However, now in WWE, it is so full of great talent. He mentioned that he is excited to wait and watch to see what happens next. Punk is a very controversial person and his exit from WWE and AEW were abrupt and on very bad terms. When he returned to WWE it made a lot of people mad, not just fans but also Superstars.
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One of those Superstars who was less than excited to see Punk is Rollins. He had called Punk a cancer on the wrestling business in the past. During Punk’s debut in WWE at Survivor Series, Rollins had to be held back as he was screaming at Punk. Punk commented on what he thinks about being called a “cancer.” He believes the hate for him stems from not being able to control him so people control how people think about him. CM Punk said on the subject:
“That’s all bulls*it. None of that stuff is reality. ‘Oh, he’s a cancer.’ Listen, not everybody gets nice me. I treat you accordingly. If you’re a piece of s*it, and you act that way to me, I will treat you that way. If you’re nice, you’re smiling, you want to have a good time, let’s have a good time. I’m all hugs.
“… They can’t control me, and they can’t control the things I do and say. They absolutely hate that, so they try to control the way other people feel or see me and it’s bullsh*t. You’re going to have to make your own judgment and draw your own conclusion.”
H/T Wrestling Inc.
Punk’s next match will happen at Bash in Berlin on August 31. He will face McIntyre again in a simple little match type a Strap Match. Both men will be attached to each other at the wrist with a leather strap and they are usually very brutal and bloody matches. A lot of whipping with the strap, so you know a nice easy day.
What do you think is the biggest difference between WWE in 2014 and 2024 WWE? Was CM Punk’s competition in 2014 better than his competition in 2024? Do you think Punk is a “cancer” on wrestling or is it just people being haters? Are you excited to see CM Punk vs. McIntyre again? Is a Strap match the best type of match for them? Let us know on social media if you are enjoying his feud with McIntyre or if you’re reading for him to move on.
SOURCE: Wrestling Inc., Busted Open Radio, Wrestling Inc., The Masked Man Show, Wrestling Inc.
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