The Miz has opened up about his history with CM Punk, revealing he was shocked when Punk approached him backstage at a WWE Raw event in April 2023 to apologize and clear the air. In a new interview with Adrian Hernandez of Unlikely, the former WWE Champion reflected on their journey from road partners in developmental to main event rivals, and commented on the noticeable change in Punk’s demeanor since his return to WWE.
The apology in question took place during a now-famous backstage visit Punk made to a Raw taping in his hometown of Chicago while he was still under contract with AEW, a move that laid the groundwork for his eventual return to WWE later that year. Speaking about their shared history, The Miz reminisced about their early days traveling together.
“Punk, we have such history. We used to drive together. We’d always be in a van, it’d be five of us, and Swoggle, in a van driving town to town. That was before iPhones, so all you would do is talk,” The Miz said. “We have such a rich history. Memories of OVW, where we were all trying to become someone, and now here we are 20 years later.” When asked if he was surprised that Punk came to him to apologize last year, The Miz was honest. “Yeah. I didn’t know what to expect. I remember coming down the stairs and seeing him and being like, ‘Hey.’ I didn’t know what to expect.”
Their most notable on-screen rivalry came in 2011 when The Miz was the reigning WWE Champion heading into WrestleMania 27, a main event spot that many felt he did not deserve at the time. Years later, during his time away from WWE, Punk also criticized The Miz for his continued participation in WWE’s events in Saudi Arabia. This long-standing tension is what made Punk’s backstage apology in 2023 so significant, as it was seen as him mending fences before his eventual return to the company in November 2023, following his firing by AEW.
The Miz also commented on the positive change he has seen in Punk since his return to the WWE locker room. “Seeing him come back, it’s been interesting. I remember before, driving with him, but I also remember when he was at the tail end, and it didn’t seem like he was a happy person. Now, I see him backstage, and it’s a different person than I remember. He seems very happy,” Miz said. “I wouldn’t even say complacent because he’s always competitive and always wants to be number one. He’s also in a position where he’s teaching a lot, and there are not many of us who have been here for 20 years and have been able to teach, learn, and adapt. It’s cool to see the change and happiness.”
CM Punk is coming off a victory at the inaugural Wrestlepalooza premium live event, where he teamed with his wife, AJ Lee, to defeat Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit Unlikely with an h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
