CM Punk, the current WWE World Heavyweight Champion, has expressed his hesitation about joining the cast of “WWE Unreal,” the Netflix documentary series offering a behind-the-scenes look at the wrestling world. As season two prepares for its debut, Punk stated during an appearance on the NotSam podcast that he was approached by producers for an interview but ultimately never participated, raising doubts about his involvement in the upcoming episodes. This stance highlights Punk’s conflicted relationship with the spotlight and his views on modern wrestling’s increasing transparency.
“I know they were asking me to do an interview for it… and we never did the interview,”
Punk, WWE World Heavyweight Champion
Punk explained that while the producers made efforts to schedule an interview, the arrangement ultimately did not match his preferences for privacy and comfort. He emphasized that, in WWE, cameras are omnipresent, but his own contribution to the show is not certain.
Staying True to Kayfabe in a New Era
This reluctance is consistent with CM Punk’s longstanding perspective as an “old-school performer,” someone who still honors the traditions of kayfabe despite the prevalence of behind-the-scenes access in today’s sports entertainment environment. For Punk, drawing boundaries remains essential, even as behind-the-scenes shows like “WWE Unreal” become more popular and fans’ curiosity grows.
“I’m not super thrilled about it, but if I don’t want them to shoot something, I just go, ‘Don’t shoot it,’”
Punk, WWE World Heavyweight Champion
While Punk is cautious, he acknowledges how the constant presence of cameras is part of today’s wrestling landscape. At the same time, he makes it clear that he will speak up if he feels uncomfortable, ensuring that his personal limits are respected in the production process.
Appreciation for the Human Side of WWE
Despite his unease, Punk is not completely critical of “WWE Unreal.” He commended the series’ debut season for revealing the personal moments and emotional challenges faced by WWE talents, mentioning Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair in particular. With the second season set to concentrate on stars including Seth Rollins, Naomi, and R-Truth, Punk’s possible absence reveals that not every top name is eager to participate, yet he recognizes the value in presenting a more genuine portrait of the performers’ lives outside the ring.
What This Means for the WWE Universe
Punk’s reluctance to fully commit to the Netflix series signals a broader debate within professional wrestling about drawing the line between character and reality. As WWE continues to embrace new forms of media, not all veterans or champions are ready to surrender the mystique that helped build the industry’s legacy. With season two of “WWE Unreal” featuring a new cast of subjects but possibly lacking the presence of CM Punk, fans will see another perspective on the evolving relationship between wrestling’s public image and its private struggles.
