CM Punk has recently been active in promoting various ventures related to WWE, including celebrating the return of his wife and discussing a new agreement with ESPN. In a recent interview, he spoke openly about navigating relationships with WWE stars he may not personally get along with, revealing insights into how CM Punk WWE backstage trust operates despite underlying tensions.
Speaking with Pardon My Take, Punk highlighted how wrestlers manage real-life disagreements but maintain professional trust while working behind the scenes.
Not Everyone Gets Along Backstage, But Work Comes First
Throughout his career, especially during his initial tenure with WWE, Punk was known to keep to himself and had a reputation for being somewhat untrusting. Since returning, his approach has evolved significantly; he now shares his knowledge willingly and connects better with many colleagues. However, he admitted that not all WWE talents are friends behind the curtain.
Despite this, Punk emphasized that dislike among some wrestlers has never disrupted their ability to perform their duties and deliver quality entertainment.
“I’m not going out to dinner with anybody. That’s the magic of our business, too. If you’re a true professional, you don’t have to even remotely like the guy you work with. The business is built on trust. If somebody is going to try and double-cross me, that’s a whole different problem, but I work with professionals who aren’t going to do that because I think they do realize, if they do that, there’s going to be some sort of a problem. I’m not going out to dinner with these guys. Some of them don’t like me. Some of them, I don’t care for. That’s the magic and the line we get to weave in and out.”
– CM Punk, WWE Superstar
Punk clarified that although socializing among all wrestlers isn’t common, there is mutual understanding professionally. He described today’s WWE locker room atmosphere as notably improved from past eras, with greater respect and collaboration among its members.
“There’s a lot of great minds that I work with. Maybe back in the day, I would say, ‘No, I know what to do’ – now I’m more… chill. To me, there’s a magic about maybe taking somebody else’s idea and building on it.”
– CM Punk, WWE Superstar
Collaboration and Enjoyment Define Punk’s Current WWE Experience
Moving away from pushing his own storylines aggressively, Punk explained adopting a relaxed approach, embodying a
“they deal ’em, I play ’em”
outlook inspired by John Cena. He contributes ideas but prefers focusing on enhancing others’ narratives rather than controlling his own.
“I have ideas and suggestions, and more oftentimes now, it’s for other people, not for me. I just kind of roll with it.”
– CM Punk, WWE Superstar
He also shared that he is happier than ever, enjoying the chance to work alongside his wife, whom he treasures spending time with. Now that AJ Lee has returned to WWE, Punk feels a renewed sense of excitement, likening it to being “like a kid at Christmas.”
What This Means for the WWE Locker Room Going Forward
CM Punk’s reflections reveal a backstage environment where trust and professionalism override personal conflicts, making it possible for WWE talents to collaborate effectively despite differing personalities. His transition from a solitary figure to a team player highlights the evolving dynamics within WWE’s locker room.
This balance of trust amid tension is crucial for the company’s ongoing success, as it allows wrestlers to focus on delivering compelling performances. As WWE continues to grow and attract diverse talents, maintaining this equilibrium will remain vital for backstage harmony and creative teamwork.
