WWE SVP Gives Insight Into CM Punk’s NXT Visits
CM Punk has been called a “joy to work with ” by one of WWE’s top executives who knows a lot about second chances.
It was at WWE Survivor Series last November when former WWE Champion CM Punk made his shocking return to the company after nearly ten years away. Time heals all wounds as they say and Punk is back in the company where he spent many years as one of WWE’s biggest stars.
In addition to Survivor Series, CM Punk also appeared at the WWE NXT Deadline PPV on December 9, 2023, which led to more trips to the NXT brand because of how much Punk enjoys the brand and working with younger talents.
At the Royal Rumble, CM Punk tore his right triceps and has been rehabbing it ever since. Punk has taken several trips to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando since then to rehab the injury while also hanging out with the NXT brand.
Shawn Michaels is a two-time WWE Hall of Famer who is considered by many people to be one of the best WWE superstars ever. Michaels is now in an Executive role as the WWE’s Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative who is also in charge of booking the NXT brand.
While talking to Adrian Hernandez on Unlikely, Michaels spoke about Punk’s WWE return, his relationship with him, and how Punk has grown as a person.
“He’s been fantastic. I’ve always liked him and have always appreciated him. All of us, and I certainly don’t want to put words in his mouth, but all of us grow and change in one form or another. If you don’t, I don’t think that’s something to be overly proud of. We’re supposed to grow and get better with time and wisdom.”
“He’s come to appreciate, the same as me, that second chance and wanting to maybe do some things differently. It’s not so much about regrets and things like that because I think he would tell you that he’s thrilled with where he’s at. To change anything might alter where he’s at. That’s the way I always felt.”
“It doesn’t mean you didn’t make mistakes or you might have wanted to do something differently. This is just the road you traveled and where you’re at is a fantastic place. All I can say is that he’s been extremely supportive of everything we do here at NXT. Every time he’s been here, he’s been a joy to work with.”
Shawn Michaels Likes That CM Punk Brings Something Different To The Table
As he continued, Michaels spoke about what the NXT culture is like and how Punk fits in.
“When you walk through the doors at NXT, that’s the culture that we really want around here. It’s something we cultivated. We won’t have anything but that, which is positive energy and giving back and supporting the future of the business that has been good to us. If you buy into that, you can exist here at NXT. If you don’t, it’s not something we want to be around.”
“It doesn’t matter to us how you go about coming to that place in your life and your career, but if it’s something you’re willing to do and you want to be someone who makes a positive influence on somebody here, we’ll welcome you anytime and twice on Sunday.”
“He’s been really good, it’s a pleasure to have him. He brings something different to the table than other people. That’s what we want. We have diversity here. No one idea has to be the right idea. Many different ways, especially in this line of work, to creatively get us where we want. Anytime somebody wants to help, I say we give them a shot.”
When CM Punk returns from his torn triceps injury this summer, he’ll likely be feuding with Drew McIntyre as that rivalry continues to heat up.