Matt Hardy Explains Why CM Punk Hasn’t Stirred up Controversies Since Returning to WWE

CM Punk has mostly had positive reviews from his WWE co-workers and the company higher-ups since returning to the company.

Matt Hardy Explains Why CM Punk Hasn’t Stirred up Controversies Since Returning to WWE

Matt Hardy has talked about CM Punk [via- WrestlingInc]

Matt Hardy took up the recent CM Punk rumors during the latest episode of his The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast. His co-host, Jon Alba, mentioned how the internet started rolling with the speculation of Punk being unhappy with WWE after being mandated to accept a pay cut from TKO.

It was also rumored that Punk wasn’t on board with the creative plans for his wife, AJ Lee, and even tried politicking something at WrestleMania 42. The word of Punk wanting out of WWE made rounds on social media for quite a while until several pro wrestling outlets debunked everything that was being circulated.

Alba asked Hardy what he personally made out of those rumors about Punk, especially when the latter has found himself in the midst of several controversies throughout his wrestling career. ‘The Sensei of Mattitude’ began with saying it’s easy for people to make things up when talking about someone like Punk due to his complex nature.

The current TNA star affirmed on his podcast that CM Punk is known for wearing his heart on his sleeve and that he’s always been ten toes down on whatever he stands for. Hardy then expanded on a fan being surprised over not enough rumors being churned about Punk since he came back to WWE. Hardy looked back on the Second City Saint’s time in AEW to answer that.

One-half of the Hardy Boyz thought that Punk had a hold over AEW CEO Tony Khan to a degree where the ‘Best in the World’ knew he would get away with certain things that most others wouldn’t. Hardy added that if Punk wanted to get things done in a certain way, he could flex his muscles to achieve that. He felt as if Punk could sniff it out from Khan being relatively new to running a wrestling company.

However, that changed completely once he returned to WWE in late 2023. Hardy stated that Punk was clear from the get-go that he just couldn’t carry the same attitude over in WWE. ‘The Straight Edge Superstar’ was a changed man once he got back to his former workplace, and it did catch most of his naysayers off guard, as they were expecting Punk to sabotage this run, which didn’t happen.

Matt Hardy said that CM Punk went by the book this time around and chose to be an ideal company man for WWE. The fact that the Chicago-born wrestling icon traveled all the way to Saudi Arabia and even tendered an apology for his previously made comments about the country just put a stamp on Punk being all about doing what WWE asked of him.

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CM Punk is on the brink of his WWE return

Putting an end to the rumor spree, WWE announced last week on SmackDown that CM Punk will be live at the Fanatics Fest in New York City on July 19. Moreover, he’s believed to be back on WWE television as early as the July 6 episode of Raw in his hometown of Chicago.

CM Punk
CM Punk [via- GQ]

It could be his last appearance on the red brand for a long time, as he’s been reported for a brand switch. Dave Meltzer said last week that WWE was looking to put CM Punk on SmackDown in an act of balancing out the rosters. ‘The Voice of the Voiceless’ would also get a fresh set of opponents to work with.

The fans will be most looking forward to the prospect of Punk getting into the crosshairs of Cody Rhodes. It’s a rivalry that was quite recently teased on Raw after WrestleMania 42, which turned out to be Punk’s last TV appearance, and he’s yet to be back. It would be interesting to see if WWE pulls the trigger on Punk vs. Rhodes at this year’s SummerSlam or not.

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