In a recent episode of the “SI Media” podcast, former WWE superstar CM Punk opened up about his mental state following his abrupt exit from WWE in early 2014.
From 2014 to 2021, Punk took a sabbatical from professional wrestling, finally making his comeback in AEW last year.
Highlights from the podcast discussion can be found below:
Regarding his mindset post-WWE exit, Punk commented, “It’s clear that ten years ago my attitude was that I had completely had enough of wrestling. Some individuals may have disagreed with my decision, but the reality of the situation is that I simply reached a point of exhaustion… For tens of consecutive years, I was the one wrestler who performed the most matches yearly in WWE. I don’t think most people appreciate the magnitude of this.”
When it comes to the possibility of returning to WWE after Vince McMahon’s departure, Punk shared, “The door to WWE seemed more appealing with the exit of Vince [McMahon]. I truly believe that his departure sort of hastened things concerning my return. In spite of being assured that WWE has undergone considerable changes, it was a gamble for me coming back into this environment. However, from my current perspective, I can comfortably say that WWE is indeed a completely modified entity.”
Last year, Punk surprised fans with his comeback to WWE at Survivor Series: WarGames in November. Just last weekend, Punk went toe-to-toe with Drew McIntyre at WWE SummerSlam 2024, in a match that saw him coping with defeat.