Booker T Gives Thoughts On CM Punk Working In NXT

Booker T has a theory about why CM Punk enjoys working in NXT.

After returning to WWE at Survivor Series, CM Punk went on something of a tour of the company, appearing on Raw, SmackDown, and NXT Deadline. While Punk is now a fully paid-up member of the Raw roster on-screen, not for the first time in his career, it’s his backstage movements that have caused some intrigue.

As well as appearing at Deadline, CM Punk was backstage for two NXT tapings in December, giving advice to talents and keeping an eye on the next generation of WWE stars. This was followed by a report that CM Punk is interested in one day leading NXT, a role currently held by Shawn Michaels.

Speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast, NXT announcer Booker T gave his thoughts on the speculation.

“Punk is making his rounds. I was reading Punk said he would maybe be thinking of being the successor of Shawn Michaels one day when Shawn Michaels stepped down at NXT. That’s the vibe he’s getting. I was reading that. Punk seemed to enjoy it.

He’s been down there every time I’ve been to work. ‘What are you doing here?’ He’s been very refreshing. It’s been a different CM Punk. CM Punk said this time around, it’s not about him, it’s about the fans,”

Booker added that much like himself, Punk seems to enjoy being able to help those around him.

“They were saying that’s not something that is going to happen anytime soon. That’s something years down the road because Shawn Michaels doesn’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon. He was saying, just the way he’s feeling, being around the group and being around the young talent. Knowing what it felt like to be young and hungry like that, wanting to be in a system like that, as well as being a mentor in the system like that. T

hat kind of stuff, when you get to a certain point in your life, for me, I get a lot out of working with the NXT guys and I feel a whole lot better when I go to NXT as opposed to just being at SmackDown and Raw because I know I’m not doing anything, I can’t contribute as much to those guys on the show. Those guys are working.

At NXT, these guys are learning and trying to figure it out. I can give advice here, give advice here. For me, I think that’s what he’s feeling, being down there because it is uplifting be part of the system down there. Those guys give you that kind of energy.

CM Punk To Make In-Ring Return In 2023

It’s been announced that CM Punk will return to the ring at Madison Square Garden on December 26th. The match against Dominik Mysterio will be his first in WWE since January 2014. WWE will also be dusting off a classic stipulation for Cody Rhodes’ match with Shinsuke Nakamura.

H/t to Fightful