CM Punk has been involved with WWE in various capacities for nearly two decades, blending his real-life straight edge lifestyle into his wrestling persona, which resonated strongly with fans. After his dramatic exit from WWE in 2014, Punk pursued a mixed martial arts career in the UFC before joining AEW in 2021. His unexpected return to WWE at Survivor Series reignited interest and debate among the wrestling community. Despite his star status, CM Punk has been involved in several backstage conflicts, notably at AEW All Out 2022 with The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega, and a backstage altercation with Jack Perry at the 2023 All In event, which led to his release.
Matt Riddle Discusses Personal Impressions of Working With CM Punk
Matt Riddle, known for his successful tag team RK-Bro with Randy Orton, has never competed in the ring against CM Punk due to their differing wrestling schedules. Nevertheless, Riddle publicly commented on Punk’s reputation within WWE this year, sparked by a viral incident where Punk appeared to shove a fan in Saudi Arabia who was attempting to take a picture with him. In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Riddle acknowledged Punk’s significant drawing power for WWE while also sharing candid observations based on conversations with mutual acquaintances backstage.
Riddle Highlights Punk’s Business Value Amid Difficult Work Relationships
While praising CM Punk’s ability to fill arenas, sell tickets, and merchandise, Matt Riddle revealed that several WWE roster members regard Punk as difficult to collaborate with. He noted WWE’s TKO division prioritizes revenue generation over backstage dynamics, emphasizing value brought by a performer as the key to their continued presence. Despite no personal ill will, Riddle suggested Punk’s prime wrestling years are behind him and expressed skepticism about Punk’s skills in fighting.
“I have good friends on the roster that still say he’s a b*tch to work with. If he didn’t generate the amount of money and attention that he does, he wouldn’t be there. And kudos to him. Kudos to him. The guy packs an arena. He sells tickets. He sells merchandise. And when you’re looking at WWE, especially with TKO, I don’t think they care about anything else. They go, ‘What do you want to get paid? You bring on this much value. Okay, good.’ And right now, hats off to him. He’s killing it. He’s wrestling. He’s staying active. He’s staying busy, and his fans seem to love it. So, I have no ill will towards the man. I just don’t think he’s well good at fighting. I think his better days of wrestling are way behind him.” —Matt Riddle, WWE Wrestler
Current Status and Future Prospects for Both Wrestlers
Matt Riddle currently holds the MLW World Heavyweight Championship, a title he has maintained since January 2024. Meanwhile, CM Punk’s WWE return has generated mixed reactions due to his backstage behavior, business value, and legacy. The backstage tensions and high-profile incidents highlight ongoing challenges WWE faces in managing star personalities. How WWE and TKO balance talent relationships with commercial success will likely influence the company’s direction and talent roster decisions moving forward.
