CM Punk recently joined OShea Jacksons No Contest Wrestling podcast, sharing insights into his experience working with younger talent at WWEs Performance Center, his role as a mentor, and his early days learning from Paul Heyman.
Currently on a break from WWE TV, Punk is expected to return in time for Survivor Series this November. In the meantime, hes been keeping busy at the Performance Center in Orlando, working with the up-and-coming NXT stars. According to Punk, the facility is like an athletes paradise.
Punk was full of praise for the setup at NXT, likening it to a well-oiled college sports system. He highlighted the state-of-the-art facilities that make it possible for wrestlers to train and recover like top-tier athletes.
He added that the environment in NXT is exactly what he had envisioned for the next generation of talent. To me, its Disney World for an athlete Its the Fountain of Youth because I walk down there and Im just like, this is great. Im Wilford Brimley from Cocoon. I want to get in the pool, you know, I feel young again.
Punk is also motivated by the younger talents enthusiasm, stating that he doesnt want to be the old guy shaking a stick. Instead, hes embracing the progress and passion of the athletes: This is what I wanted. This is what we should have had, and now that its here, I aint penalizing anybody for it.
Punk also reflected on his early days in wrestling, particularly his time in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) under the mentorship of Paul Heyman. He credited Heyman for teaching him how to structure and write wrestling shows, giving him an inside look at how the business works behind the scenes.
Punk learned valuable lessons from Heyman, including how to format and time out a show, which he used throughout his career. However, being a Paul Heyman guy in the wrestling world came with its own challenges, as it created tension with others in the industry.
As Punk gears up for his return to WWE programming, fans are eager to see how he continues to contribute both inside and outside the ring. His passion for the business and commitment to helping the younger generation shows that Punks influence in WWE is far from over.
What do you think of CM Punks role as a mentor at NXT? Do you think his experience with Paul Heyman has shaped the way he helps younger talent? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
