CM Punk Admits WWE Backstage Issues; Says Many Feel Disrespected

CM Punk has revealed the existence of discontent and contempt backstage in WWE.

In the lead-up to WrestleMania 42, the company’s creative team threw a curveball by introducing Pat McAfee as part of the Randy Orton-Cody Rhodes feud.

McAfee was revealed as Orton’s ‘advisor,’ who was constantly on the phone with The Viper ever since he turned heel on SmackDown.

On April 3, the 38-year-old NFL punter and former WWE commentator made his return to television after several months of being away. McAfee had previously claimed that the business had passed him by and did not need him anymore.

After turning up unannounced, McAfee attacked Cody Rhodes, after which he cut a promo about how Randy Orton plans to revive WWE. He also brought up the company’s struggles with selling out WrestleMania 42 tickets.

Several reports later confirmed that McAfee was introduced into the storyline at the behest of Ari Emanuel, the CEO and executive chairman of TKO Group, and McAfee’s agent.

The segment, which apparently created friction within the WWE locker room, was lambasted by a large percentage of wrestling fans, but also found a few takers.

Later in the night, an irate Cody Rhodes cut a promo, calling McAfee’s reveal as Orton’s mystery guy underwhelming. On the subsequent Raw episode, CM Punk shared his thoughts about Pat McAfee with the WWE Universe.

CM Punk Admits To Pat McAfee Promo Creating Backstage Issues

While the entire Pat McAfee reveal and promo took place on SmackDown, it affected other brands as well due to him speaking about the company’s shortcomings, especially the WrestleMania 42 poor ticket sales.

During his segment on April 6, World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk targeted McAfee as well as Ari Emanuel, although he did not name-drop the latter. Punk also promised that Pat had a receipt coming to him.

While speaking on the All The Smoke podcast, CM Punk revealed why it was important for him to address the Pat McAfee issue as a way to stand up for his company.

What prompted this was an overall feeling from not just me or not just the boys, but hair and makeup, production, management, the crew. A lot of people were feeling a little bit disrespected and pissed off. So, I had a job to do in my mind. Um, I have to go out there and promote my WrestleMania match with Roman, who’s not in the building. It’s not an easy thing to do… I was out there trying to sell WrestleMania, sell some tickets, make it exciting, make it real, and also like stick up for the business. [H/T: Ringside News]

CM Punk is not new to dropping pipe bombs.

In his first stint with the Stamford promotion, he cut a promo on the June 27, 2011, episode of Raw, where he spoke about his problems with the company.

He had also called out the higher-ups for disrespecting several of the talents, resulting in their departure. His 2011 promo cemented his position as a main-eventer, even setting up a WWE Championship match against John Cena at Money in the Bank in his hometown of Chicago.

As the reigning World Heavyweight Champion, he will defend his title against Roman Reigns on Night 2 of WrestleMania 42 on April 19.