AEW World Champion CM Punk has discussed his connection with wrestling fans but explains why he finds being a good guy on TV to be hard work.
CM Punk created one of the most sensational moments in wrestling history when he made his long-awaited return to wrestling on the second episode of AEW Rampage in August 2021. Since then Punk has added to his legacy with gripping feuds against the likes of Eddie Kingston and MJF that has only enhanced his standing with fans.
Speaking to Screen Rant, CM Punk explained why he’d much rather be the villain of the piece but appreciates he has currency as a good guy with wrestling fans right now:
“I think I have a currency with the audience just having been around for so long, coming from the Indies, going to the old WWF, and you know being around the block. Leaving, coming back after seven years, there’s a connection that I have.”
“I don’t necessarily enjoy being a good guy. I feel like it’s hard work. It’s a lot easier to get people to dislike you. But I feel you’d be it would be wasteful to, as I said, just discard this currency that I have with the audience because it is, I feel, a special connection.”
“You know, they’re chanting my name for seven years. I came back. They’re still stoked about it. So I feel like every time I’m in the ring is special to me and I don’t want to squander that, and I feel like it’s just a giant party with a bunch of your friends, you know? I just want to have a good time with them.”
CM Punk is currently out with an injury with no word yet as to when he is likely to return to the ring. In the meantime, Jon Moxley currently represents AEW as the company’s Interim World Champion.