CM Punk has addressed the idea that he could continue to be a “cancer” in the WWE locker room.
CM Punk returned to WWE at Survivor Series 2023, after nearly a decade away from the company. Due to the confrontational nature of his departure from AEW – with some of the AEW roster describing him as a “cancer” – questions were asked around whether Punk would cause similar issues back in WWE.
In his recent appearance on The Masked Man Show at Fanatics Fest NYC, Punk made his stance on this speculation quite clear:
That’s all bullshit. None of that stuff is reality. ‘Oh, he’s a cancer.’ Listen, not everybody gets nice me. I treat you accordingly. If you’re a piece of shit, and you act that way to me, I will treat you that way. If you’re nice, you’re smiling, you want to have a good time, let’s have a good time. I’m all hugs. It’s not like I’m two different people, there are just certain people, the ones that spread those lies and say those things about me, because they can’t control me and they can’t control the things I do and say. They absolutely hate that, so they try to control the way other people feel or see me. It’s bullshit. You’re going to have to make your own judgment and draw your own conclusion.
Punk’s time at AEW only lasted two years, with his first major backstage confrontation occurring at All Out 2022. After an explosive press conference, Punk was involved in a physical altercation with Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks. A year later, at AEW All in at Wembley, Punk clashed with Jack Perry in an altercation that led to Punk leaving AEW.
CM Punk Teases Match With Stone Cold Steve Austin
On the same episode of The Masked Man Show, CM Punk voiced his interest in potentially facing Stone Cold Steve Austin in the ring, stating “he can call me”. Except for his surprising return at WrestleMania 38 in a match against Kevin Owens, Austin has been retired for several years now, but it appears the Rattlesnake likes the idea of Punk being his opponent if he were to return one last time.