Home Sport CM Punk’s Greatest Value to WWE is Outside of the Ring

CM Punk’s Greatest Value to WWE is Outside of the Ring

Sport — 28/06/2024 · 0 Comment

CM Punk is one of the biggest stars in professional wrestling, and his return to WWE last November at the Survivor Series pay-per-view created unbelievable buzz across the industry and on social media.

His impact between the ropes is undeniable, and he has several dream matches against top WWE Superstars remaining on his to-do list.

Still, it is away from the squared circle and in his work with younger talent that Punk is most valuable to wrestling’s premier promotion.

Undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes recently told Behind The Turnbuckle of his biggest “red flag” when it comes to veteran performers:

“The number one red flag I hear. If you meet a guy who is a legend who is coming in on the roster and he’s going to be active, or a part-time guy, the number one red flag if you’re young or in the middle of the pack (as a) talent is when you hear somebody say, ‘I’m just here for the young guys.’ I already know. You’re not just here for the young guys. I would rather you tell me straight up, ‘I’m here for some of ya’ll, and I’m here for myself.’ This a selfish, competitive business. I like the most transparent people. ‘Here’s what I’d like to do, let’s do it.’ Whenever I hear, ‘I’m here for the young guys,’ which is not often and not anytime soon I’ve heard it. In my mind, instantly, I’m like, ‘That’s the biggest red flag ever. I’d rather him tell them he’s just here for himself,” (h/t Fightful for the transcription).

While selfish motivations may be true intentions of some, Punk appears to have taken the approach of actions speaking louder than words, with his mentorship to young talent earning praise from those who have worked closely with him.

NXT champion Trick Williams recently told Adrian Hernandez, “Mentor is a perfect way to put it, man. He has been a blessing for all of us who would take the time to actually go talk to him and reach out to him.”

He added: “He’s helped me with a few things that I feel like, if the crowd knew about it, they would be very grateful that he did. I’ll just leave it there. Shoutout to CM Punk. He’s been a positive light for all of us here in NXT,” (h/t WrestleTalk).

Shawn Michaels, whose history with Punk was not all rainbows and sunshine in WWE, told Hernandez: “All I can say is that he’s been extremely supportive of everything we do here at NXT. Every time he’s been here, he’s been a joy to work with.”

Before his in-ring return at the Royal Rumble, The Best in the World trained alongside Williams, Bron Breakker, Carmelo Hayes and Lexis King.

Before Punk’s return to and her own debut in WWE, Jade Cargill credited the veteran with teaching her to “stand on what you believe” and to not be a pushover in an industry that often demands that of newcomers during an appearance on The Bootleg Kev Podcast.

She also praised him for imparting his knowledge from both WWE and All Elite Wrestling to her and his graciousness with the women’s locker room in the latter company.

Britt Baker echoed those sentiments, telling the Maggie and Perloff Show that “I’m really thankful that we got to work with CM Punk. I’ve learned some stuff from him, he was always really helpful and willing to work with younger talent.” (h/t F4WOnline.com for the transcription).

Ricky Starks thanked Punk for helping him realize his presentation in an interview with WhatCulture Wrestling:

“There’s a video clip that constantly gets reshared where the pyro is going off and exploding and blah, blah, blah — that was all Punk’s idea. Punk had a vision for trying to help out certain people and getting along. I do remember a conversation with him where he was like, ‘You know, it’s really up to you to swim … sink or swim.’ I felt like I put a lot of stress on myself and pressure on myself to constantly outperform my last match, that I had just to prove that if he was going to, you know, put his name on me, so to speak, or be the one to push for me, that I needed to do my part and make sure I never let that down.”

Powerhouse Hobbs told ESPN’s Marc Raimondi that prior to their match at Arthur Ashe Stadium as part of the first Dynamite: Grand Slam in September 2021, Punk eased his nerves before the biggest night of his young career, which came just a month after the unexpected death of his mother.

“First thing he said, don’t worry about anybody else,” Hobbs said. “‘Your mom is in the crowd. Let’s put the match on for her.’ That made me feel so much better, so much more comfortable with him in the ring. He just knew what that night meant for me.”

Punk told Raimondi: “That’s what this s–t is about. What’s the best part? The best part is making these new relationships and showing guys what a lot of guys never showed me but should have: to not be a d–k to these kids who just want to be pro wrestlers.”

He added: “But everybody is like so guarded. I literally just want to show them I’m an open book. I’m here. I’m walking around all day [backstage]. Whatever you need, I’m literally here for you. It’s a full-time job, baby. Literally. But I love it.”

The Raimondi interview featured countless testimonials from young talent, including Darby Allin, Lee Moriarty, Max Caster and FTR who all spoke to how much it meant to have Punk in the locker room and willing to offer up advice to them. Or at least be a welcoming presence, regardless of their experience.

In his first appearance with NXT, he made it a point to approach star-struck Punk fan Cora Jade and tell her he was proud of her. He then showed up to surprise her as she recovered from knee surgery:

The graciousness and willingness to help prepare the next generation of talent has not been reserved for one locker room. It is not for the cameras or part of some redemption tour in WWE. It was also a major part of what he tried to do in AEW.

Punk has repeatedly said he wishes he would have had the same opportunities to absorb information and advice from those he shared locker rooms with over the years, but he did not because of how things were back then.

He has taken the steps to right that wrong, to ensure anyone who wants to learn something new can.

There will always be those who do not; who think they have all the answers or who are just too intimidated to ask, but for those who do take advantage of what Punk has to offer, they will have the opportunity to learn from a former world champion who has competed on every major stage.

Punk is a wealth of knowledge. His role as a willing teacher makes him most valuable to WWE and any other company lucky enough to have him.