CM Punk’s return to wrestling in 2021 may have been a huge deal, but his return to WWE last year was a completely different animal.
In the closing moments of Survivor Series: WarGames, Punk returned to WWE in his first appearance for the promotion since January 2014.
On a recent edition of “The Jackie Redmond Show” podcast, Punk spoke about his return to WWE and how it differed from returning to the industry. He said,
“100% of CM Punk was nervous. Returning to wrestling is one thing. Returning to WWE is a completely different animal. I didn’t know how things would go. It’s not like I was off TV for a super long time, but you still, as a performer, you’re like, ‘Is anyone going to remember me?’
“I was legit in an arena that had not been kind to me throughout my career. My first UFC fight was in that building. It was also hugely cathartic because I’m very much a guy who, if you ask me if I’m ready, I’m going to tell you ‘no’ because part of the juice is being in front of a live crowd.
“I’m the old guy on the ice now. I can stretch and warm up and I’m not going to be ready until I’m on the ice, the whistle blows, and the puck drops. Now, I’m ready. I need to be in front of the crowd and I need to see the red light on the camera and it’s like, ‘Okay, now, it’s go time.’”
Punk will compete in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match later this month, in his first televised match for WWE since the 2014 Royal Rumble match.
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CM Punk, one of the most iconic figures in professional wrestling, made his highly anticipated return to WWE in 2021. However, his return last year was a completely different experience compared to his return to the wrestling industry as a whole.
During the closing moments of Survivor Series: WarGames, CM Punk made his first appearance for WWE since January 2014. This marked a significant moment for both Punk and his fans, as they eagerly awaited his comeback to the company that helped propel him to stardom.
In a recent episode of “The Jackie Redmond Show” podcast, Punk opened up about his return to WWE and how it differed from returning to the wrestling industry in general. He admitted that he was nervous about his return to WWE, as he didn’t know how things would go. Despite not being off TV for a long time, he still wondered if anyone would remember him as a performer.
Adding to the nerves, Punk mentioned that the arena he returned to was not always kind to him throughout his career. In fact, it was the same building where he had his first UFC fight. However, he also described the experience as cathartic, as being in front of a live crowd is what truly fuels his passion for performing.
Punk compared himself to an old hockey player, stating that he needs to be on the ice with the crowd and the cameras before he feels truly ready. It’s the adrenaline rush and the energy from the audience that ignites his performance and makes him feel like it’s go time.
Now, CM Punk is set to compete in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match later this month. This will be his first televised match for WWE since the 2014 Royal Rumble match, adding even more excitement and anticipation for fans who have been eagerly awaiting his in-ring return.
For wrestling enthusiasts looking to stay updated on all the latest news, eWrestlingNews.com is a reliable source. They provide comprehensive coverage of the wrestling world, including updates on CM Punk’s journey. Additionally, fans can follow eWrestlingNews on Twitter and Facebook for more updates and behind-the-scenes content.
CM Punk’s return to WWE has undoubtedly brought a renewed sense of excitement to the wrestling industry. As fans eagerly await his upcoming matches and appearances, it’s clear that his impact on the sport is far from over.