WWE stars CM Punk and Rhea Ripley recently spoke about the upcoming docuseries WWE: Unreal, set to premiere on Netflix on July 29. During an appearance on ESPN Radio, both wrestlers shared their thoughts about the show, which provides behind-the-scenes access to WWE events and personalities. Punk admitted that promoting the series was difficult for him due to his long-standing mindset about protecting the wrestling business.
CM Punk Reflects on Wrestling’s Secrecy and the Nature of the Show
CM Punk explained that his experience in professional wrestling has always emphasized safeguarding the industry’s secrets. He stated,
“I’m probably the wrong guy to put on this show to try to talk it up,”
and added,
“It’s not that I’m so much against it, it’s that my entire existence in my profession, professional wrestling, you’re taught and you’re brought up and if you’re old school, you protect the business. It’s always been that way.”
Punk pointed out that most people have been aware for decades that wrestling is scripted, noting,
“I feel like since the 20s or 30s, everybody knew wrestling was predetermined.”
He also compared WWE: Unreal to the NFL’s Hard Knocks series, which offers an inside look into professional football’s teams.
Regarding this comparison, Punk said,
“You’re in the room, you’re seeing the special teams, you’re seeing the Xs and the Os, and you’re seeing the relationships between the coaches and the players and their families and all that, and that’s sort of what we’re doing. We’re following suit in a way. It’s just really strange, for me, at least, because I’ve always been taught you protect the business.”
Behind-the-Scenes Filming Was Uncomfortable for CM Punk
Speaking about the filming process, Punk revealed how uneasy he felt with cameras backstage. He described moments of uncertainty about what was being recorded and who was mic’d up, saying,
“I was never sure when they were filming, what they were filming, who’s mic’d up. You could probably make a really good blooper reel of me looking directly down the lens of the camera going, what are you doing? Get out, don’t film this.”
Rhea Ripley Sees the Series as WWE’s Growth Initiative
Rhea Ripley expressed a more positive view of WWE: Unreal, seeing it as part of WWE’s efforts to innovate and expand the company’s appeal. She stated,
“I feel like WWE is always trying new things and bits and pieces to make it different and make it grow, and this is just one of the next steps.”
However, she also noted some reservations about what should be revealed, saying,
“Do I think that everything should be shown? No. I haven’t seen it yet so I’m very intrigued to see.”
Ripley also commented on the unusual experience of having a camera crew backstage, noting,
“It was really strange having the camera crew around as well because you’re so used to all of this being so top secret and hidden and you didn’t know how to really react to things sometimes, like some of the questions. It was just wild to me, but at the same time, it is a growing business.”
Overview of WWE: Unreal’s Episode Themes and Focus
WWE: Unreal will be a five-episode series, with each episode highlighting key WWE events and storylines. Sources close to the production disclosed that the series will begin with the January 6, 2025 Raw debut at the Intuit Dome on Netflix. Subsequent episodes will cover the Royal Rumble, John Cena’s heel turn, the women of WWE, and WrestleMania 41, giving viewers an in-depth look at these significant moments.
Anticipating the Impact of WWE: Unreal
WWE: Unreal represents a new direction for WWE’s media presence, blending scripted entertainment with documentary-style storytelling to offer fans authentic glimpses of wrestling’s inner workings. While some talent like CM Punk remain cautious due to traditional views on preserving the business’s mystique, others like Rhea Ripley embrace the transparency as a way to help the company grow. As the series debuts on Netflix, wrestling fans can expect an intense and revealing portrayal of WWE behind the scenes that may influence how audiences perceive the sport-entertainment hybrid moving forward.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did CM Punk apologize?
A. CM Punk said sorry to fans in Saudi Arabia for a tweet that caused some trouble before WWE Night of Champions. When he appeared at the event’s kickoff show, fans expressed their displeasure by booing him. During the event, a fan yelled something at Punk, giving him a chance to speak about his earlier tweet concerning The Miz.
Q. Does CM Punk support LGBTQ?
A. Punk is known for supporting trans rights and shows his support both in and out of the wrestling ring. While with AEW in 2023, he spoke up for LGBTQ+ rights, calling himself the “Voice of the Voiceless.”
Q. Was CM Punk actually hurt?
A. Although Punk seemed injured, his fall was staged. In contrast, McIntyre actually got hurt and needed 16 stitches.
Q. Why doesn’t CM Punk talk to his brother?
A. CM Punk’s brother, Mike Broox, discusses taking money from the Lunatic Wrestling Federation. This action caused their relationship to break down over two decades ago.
