CM Punk returned to WWE in November 2023 at the Survivor Series PLE following the main event and has since been feuding with Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre.
McIntyre vs. Punk has been booked with Rollins as the special guest referee at tonight’s SummerSlam PLE. Punk spoke with Michael Cole for a new interview. Here are the highlights:
On his emotions following his return: “All of it was overwhelming. I’ve never been one to listen to most of the critics. There’s people who have paved the way for me to be here, and I will always lend an ear. And then there’s people who have come after me, who have always just seemingly been jealous of me. You can criticize me all you want. Chances are you’re wrong and I’m right.”
On what he would say to the critics: “They’re bigger fans than my biggest fans. Nobody watches you more than your biggest hater, and to me, they’re just the flip side of the fan coin. They’re all fans. Everybody pays attention to what CM Punk does. CM Punk is polarizing, yes. The first guy to reach into his pocket and help you out with some money or the first guy to punch you in the face, it says more about them than it does me.”
On whether the critics push him: “What’s more motivating than when someone says you cannot? I think that’s been the basis of my entire life, let alone my entire career. That’s what has made me popular—being different, not conforming, and just never taking no for an answer.”
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit WWE’s YouTube channel with an h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
