On WWE’s The Bump, Randy Orton shared his thoughts on CM Punk’s return to WWE at Survivor Series 2023.
At the Royal Rumble later this month, CM Punk will work the Men’s Royal Rumble Match while Randy Orton will be part of the Fatal 4-Way Match with LA Knight, AJ Styles, and Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns.
“So for a month prior, there was all these rumors online that I was coming back, but there was also rumors like that CM Punk was coming back. Instead of it being a surprise that it was me, instead of Punk, they let everyone know the week prior [that] Randy Orton’s gonna be the one joining Cody’s team in WarGames. Kind of let the wind out of my sails a little bit because I’d been gone for a year and a half, there’s all this anticipation, people have been expecting me to return for the past six months because I’d been out so long. I can tell that I’ve matured a lot because a part of me wanted to be irate, right, like this was taken from me, this reaction from the crowd that I’d been looking forward to for 18 months. But after all was said and done, I came out, got a great reaction. Punk came out, got a great reaction, and I realized after the fact that nobody stepped on anyone’s toes. It was really just a really fun night for the fans. They got Randy Orton back, and they were very happy about that. They weren’t even thinking about Punk. Then here comes Punk. So that reaction was just, they were two different reactions, two different people. Everybody was excited to see us both. Personally, on a personal level, I was happy to have him back. He’s a hell of a worker, hell of a guy. But it was funny because here I am after 18 months, ready to go, and then, ‘Oh, no, we’re gonna announce your return.’ Then he comes back anyway. Like, ‘Ah.’ But that’s kind of how it goes here, you never know.”
“I haven’t been around him for a decade. I remember back in the day, of course, before he left. He had a little bit of a, I guess a dark cloud over him in the locker room, but so did I. So did I. So I can’t really judge, can I? We both had our shit that we were going through, and for whatever reason, and I think now, he’s changed. He’s matured. He’s more mature. I think us pro wrestlers are never really mature, but he’s more mature than he was, as am I. I think that when I saw him in Chicago, shook his hand, gave him a little hug, and it was nothing but sincere. We were both happy to see each other, and I want him to do great here. I think the feeling is mutual.”
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Randy Orton Reflects on CM Punk’s Return to WWE at Survivor Series 2023
In a recent interview on WWE’s The Bump, Randy Orton shared his thoughts on CM Punk’s highly anticipated return to WWE at Survivor Series 2023. Orton, who himself made a comeback after being away for a year and a half, discussed the rumors and anticipation surrounding both his and Punk’s return.
Orton revealed that in the month leading up to Survivor Series, there were numerous rumors online about his comeback. However, there were also speculations about CM Punk making a return. Instead of keeping it a surprise, WWE decided to announce Orton’s return to Cody’s team in WarGames, which somewhat dampened the excitement for Orton’s comeback. Despite this, Orton acknowledged that both he and Punk received great reactions from the crowd, and it turned out to be a fun night for the fans.
Reflecting on his personal feelings, Orton admitted that part of him wanted to be irate about the announcement of his return being spoiled. He had been looking forward to the crowd’s reaction for 18 months. However, after seeing the positive response from the audience for both him and Punk, he realized that nobody stepped on anyone’s toes. The fans were excited to see them both, and personally, Orton was happy to have Punk back. He praised Punk as a talented worker and a great guy.
Orton also discussed his history with CM Punk, mentioning that they hadn’t been around each other for a decade. He acknowledged that both of them had their own struggles and dark clouds hanging over them in the locker room. However, he believes that Punk has matured and changed over the years, just like he has. When they met in Chicago, they greeted each other sincerely and were genuinely happy to see one another. Orton expressed his desire for Punk to succeed in WWE, and he believes the feeling is mutual.
The interview provided fans with insights into the dynamics between Randy Orton and CM Punk, both personally and professionally. It showcased Orton’s maturity and his ability to appreciate the return of a fellow wrestler, despite the initial disappointment of his own comeback being announced beforehand.
As wrestling fans eagerly await the Royal Rumble and the upcoming matches involving both Orton and Punk, it’s clear that their returns have generated significant excitement and anticipation within the WWE universe.