On the September 1 episode of WWE RAW, Becky Lynch slapped CM Punk during a heated confrontation that caught the attention of fans and wrestling experts alike. Dutch Mantell, known formerly as Zeb Colter in WWE, recently shared his opinion on the authenticity of the segment, highlighting its impact and realism.
The tension between Lynch and Punk spilled over from Clash in Paris on August 31, where Lynch helped her husband Seth Rollins maintain the World Heavyweight Championship. The next night on RAW, Lynch defended Rollins by aggressively confronting Punk, delivering multiple strikes to his face and chest. Punk responded, warning Lynch she would regret the incident, stirring speculation that his wife, AJ Lee, might return to WWE programming.
Dutch Mantell Praises the Authentic Feel of the WWE RAW Confrontation
Mantell, who built his career working closely with iconic booker Jerry Jarrett in Memphis during the 1970s and 1980s, expressed admiration for the segment’s realistic dialogue on his Story Time with Dutch Mantell podcast. The 75-year-old explained that moments like this resonate strongly with the audience because they capture genuine emotion and tension.
“This is one of the best segments I have seen in a long, long time, and the reason being, and this is what Jerry Jarrett [passed on],” Mantell said. “This is one of the first things I learned about what things get over with people, how to be a booker, because if you’re listening to this argument between CM Punk, who is over like a son of a gun, and Becky Lynch, because this tit-for-tat, or argument, or quarrel, or disagreement sounded real.”
Mantell’s reflection emphasizes how the natural back-and-forth between Punk, known as The Best in the World, and Lynch, often called The Man, captivates the WWE audience by blurring lines between scripted performance and spontaneous conflict.
Future Developments in CM Punk and Becky Lynch’s Storyline
Speculation continues to swirl around the possibility that AJ Lee might rejoin WWE, teaming up with CM Punk at Wrestlepalooza on September 20 in a match against Lynch and Rollins. This potential storyline development has fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter of this rivalry.
Mantell also praised the unrehearsed quality of the RAW segment, stating that the performers’ natural chemistry contributed significantly to its success.
“It didn’t sound like it was produced. It didn’t sound like it was rehearsed because, hey, CM Punk is very good on interviews. He is great, and she was too, so when they went back and forth, they left it at the perfect spot with you thinking, ‘Okay, where’s this going?’ Because I wanna see where it’s going now.”
AJ Lee, who has not appeared on WWE television since her retirement in 2015, was a three-time Divas Champion during her initial tenure with the company. Punk is set to appear on the September 5 episode of SmackDown, which will take place in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois.
The encounter between Becky Lynch and CM Punk on WWE RAW has rekindled excitement among fans by introducing a layered storyline that blends intense personal rivalry with championship stakes. With Mantell’s endorsement of its realism and the looming possibility of AJ Lee’s return, this narrative promises to be one of the more compelling arcs in WWE programming as the month progresses.
