CM Punk Apologises to Saudi Arabia for his Controversial Blood Money Tweet

CM Punk buries the hatchet with Saudi Arabia crowd after making controversial comments about the country in the past.

CM Punk Apologises to Saudi Arabia for his Controversial Blood Money Tweet

CM Punk (via WWE)

CM Punk has long been one of the most polarizing figures in sports entertainment. While he enjoys strong fan support globally, his relationship with Saudi Arabia has been complicated. Back in 2019, Punk made headlines for a controversial post targeting The Miz and Saudi Arabia—later dubbed the infamous “Blood Money Tweet.” However, ahead of Night of Champions, Punk issued a public apology for his past remarks, signaling a fresh start and a new chapter for him in the Kingdom.

During the Night of Champions Kickoff Show, a fan confronted ‘The Straight Edge Superstar’ about his controversial 2019 remarks. Without hesitation, CM Punk acknowledged his past mistake, stating that everyone makes errors—and he was no exception. He went on to offer a sincere apology to the Saudi crowd and even to The Miz for his offensive comments about the Saudi shows.

I am not perfect by any means, sometimes as human beings we screw up. The beautiful thing is everything is a lesson learned. And now here I am, and you have invited me to your country, and I am grateful to be here, thank you very much.

CM Punk via Night of Champions Kick off Show

‘The Best in the World’ further clarified that the tweet was irrational and born out of frustration, and was never intended to target Saudi Arabia or its people. However, if his past remarks had hurt anyone’s sentiments, he expressed sincere regret. Punk’s heartfelt apology drew a loud reaction from the crowd, with fans chanting his name as the Night of Champions Kickoff Show came to a close.

With that heartfelt statement, the former AEW star managed to clear much of the heat surrounding him among the Saudi crowd. Upon his arrival, Punk was met with heavy boos. Adding to the controversy, a viral video showed him appearing to push away a young fan asking for an autograph. As he prepares to face John Cena on Saturday, it remains to be seen whether the 46-year-old will receive any support from the live audience during the match.

What was CM Punk’s ‘Blood Money’ controversy?

CM Punk has been no stranger to controversy throughout his professional wrestling career, but one of his most infamous moments traces back to 2019. At the time, Punk was appearing on WWE Backstage on FOX, offering his insights on ongoing WWE storylines. During the lead-up to a WWE event in Saudi Arabia, he posted a tweet aimed at The Miz, which quickly spiraled into a major controversy—later labeled the “Blood Money” incident.

CM Punk
CM Punk [via- WWE]

The Chicago-born star took a direct shot at The Miz, accusing him of compromising his moral values for a paycheck from Saudi Arabia. The tweet ignited major controversy between Punk and WWE, and it ultimately became one of the key reasons behind ‘The Second City Saint’s departure from the WWE Backstage show.

Later, the former WWE Champion also criticized the company for hosting events in a country where women’s rights are restricted. Following these controversial remarks, Punk eventually joined AEW, and after his return to WWE, many believed he would be kept away from all Saudi premium live events. However, WWE shocked the world by suddenly announcing a blockbuster match between CM Punk and John Cena for Night of Champions.

CM Punk to win the Undisputed WWE Championship at Night of Champions?

CM Punk is heading into Night of Champions this Saturday with unwavering confidence. He has boldly promised to defeat John Cena and save wrestling once and for all. However, many fans remain skeptical, wondering whether ‘The Best in the World’ can truly capture the title this weekend.

CM Punk and John Cena
CM Punk and John Cena (via WWE)

There’s a strong possibility that CM Punk could walk out of Night of Champions as the Undisputed WWE Champion. Triple H has made a habit of surprising the WWE Universe with unexpected title changes in recent months. Given the magnitude of the event, it wouldn’t be shocking if he has another twist planned for a major premium live event like NOC.

Moreover, ‘The Straight Edge Superstar’ has long been seeking his defining moment in WWE, and this could finally be the time to crown him as World Champion. With the biggest SummerSlam in WWE history on the horizon, the company could use Night of Champions to give Cena a new beginning and Punk a fresh start, setting the stage for an epic build toward the Biggest Party of the Summer.

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