Popular WWE Superstar details how working with CM Punk more than a decade ago saved his career

Big E's match with CM Punk was probably the reason why the former is on a huge level in WWE now.

Popular WWE Superstar details how working with CM Punk more than a decade ago saved his career

CM Punk on Raw (via WWE)

2021 Money in the Bank winner Big E has been with WWE for more than a decade. He started out in FCW and remained on it until it was rebranded to NXT and won the coveted championship. His debut on the main roster happened in late 2012, which saw his heel run as an enforcer for Dolph Ziggler. However, he was established on the main roster in the late 2013s when he battled CM Punk and shaped his career.

Speaking on the Sarah O’Connell Show, Big E was asked about his favorite match. The former WWE Champion mentioned that he was unable to talk about this special match until now, as Punk is back in WWE now. Big E recalls that in 2013, he started his singles run after Ziggler was removed from the picture, which appointed him as AJ Lee‘s bodyguard.

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His time in WWE at that time was not that great and was rarely presented on TV. However, on a fine Monday, he was not booked for that show but received an email about his travels for Raw and SmackDown the next week. He went with his instincts and capitalized on the appearances, or else he would potentially be sent back to NXT. Big E states that he still gets chills thinking of that moment.

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Because of him (CM Punk) asking to work with me, and when I found out, I went to him and I thanked him. He said so many glowing things about my talent and about how people like me deserve opportunities
Big E showing his gratefulness for Big E

A match with Punk made Big E relevant enough, making him feel content with it. CM and E just went out there and did their thing, which was apparently liked by the former. The New Day member remembers that Lee informed him later that The Best in the World was indeed the one who asked for a match.

Big E had turned babyface right after that CM Punk match

The match with CM Punk was really special for Big E. He feels fortunate to have been in the right spot at the right time due to the things that followed. A few weeks later, they again had a match only for RybAxel to come out with Paul Heyman this time.

Big E and CM Punk on Raw
Big E and CM Punk on Raw (via WWE)

It was at this moment that Big E turned babyface for the first and last time on the main roster. He started a program with Curtis Axel, which resulted in his Intercontinental Championship victory, boosting his career. The former WWE Champion mentions that he progressed in his career and landed his individuality.

So that one is so important to me for many reasons. One, I was able to prove to myself that, yeah, I can with the guys who are the best in the world, I belong here. Two, it saved my career, and I can’t thank him enough for that.
Big E thanking CM Punk

From there, he was able to get going. He was able to prove his worth after wrestling the Best in the world and believing that he belonged here. It also saved his career, for which he thanks Punk for all time. At the end, Big E just felt so grateful, as he truly doesn’t know where his life would be if it weren’t for The Second City going out of his way to look out for young talent and back them.

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