Former AEW World Champion CM Punk has admitted that he struggles to comprehend his impact on the wrestling business.
The Chicago-born former WWE Champion was honoured with the Iron Mike Mazurki Award at wrestling’s prestigious Cauliflower Alley Club Awards Banquet, held in Las Vegas on Wednesday evening.
The award is handed out each year to somebody who has exhibited outstanding dedication to the sport both inside and outside the ring and is named after Mike Mazurki, the first President of the Cauliflower Alley Club. Previous winners of the award include Stu Hart, Trish Stratus and Sgt Slaughter.
During his acceptance speech, captured by Sports Guys Talk Wrestling on YouTube, Punk admitted that has often battled doubts about his place in professional wrestling:
“I’ve always struggled with a little bit of imposter syndrome. It’s a strange business. You’re supposed to just talk s**t. You’re supposed to tell everybody you’re the best. Everybody compares numbers.”
Although not fully accepting of his place in wrestling history, CM Punk did lift the lid on how much he valued feedback received from fans and fellow wrestlers:
“What means the most to me now is sharing a locker room and having those kids come up to me and tell me that ‘I saw you sit cross-legged on a stage in Las Vegas and that brought me back to wrestling.”
The Straight Edge Superstar pointed to his inspiring of younger fans as a reason for continuing his career, stating that he understood the importance of being a role model:
If there’s a reason I’m still doing this, it’s that. People come up to me and say ‘You’ve saved my life.’ It sounds a little far-fetched but god****it I understand and I take that responsibility to heart.”
Which Promotion Does CM Punk Wrestle For?
CM Punk is currently a free agent after having his contract terminated by AEW President Tony Khan following a backstage altercation with Jack Perry at AEW All In on 27th August in London, England.
H/T: WrestlingInc for the above transcript