CM Punks reputation took a hit during his time in AEW, but WWE President Nick Khan says the label that followed him out the door doesnt match the man he knows.
Appearing on The Bill Simmons Podcast while promoting WrestleMania 41, Khan addressed the narrative that Punk is a locker room problemone thats been repeated ever since backstage altercations rocked AEW following All Out. Chris Jericho reportedly called Punk a cancer after the incident, and even Seth Rollins echoed the same term publicly before Punks WWE return.
But Khan isnt buying it. By the way, it was so obvious to me that he wasnt a cancer, Khan said. In having been an agent, assume I dealt with some personalities that were not the easiest. Thats part of the job. Id always found to be a gentleman.
Khan went further, saying he had no doubts about bringing Punk back to WWEespecially after how he carried himself behind the scenes.
I always found him to be honest, responsive, and I felt like if he was that way outside of WWE, if given an opportunity to come back to the company, he would be that way. And he said that he would be, and hes been a gem to work with.
Since returning to WWE at Survivor Series 2023, Punk has largely kept a low profile backstage. His interactions with the roster have been positive, and several industry veteranslike Bully Ray and Mark Henryhave defended Punk publicly, saying the perception doesnt match the reality.
Now with Khan going on record to back him up, its the strongest internal vote of confidence Punk has received since his return.
Is CM Punk finally rewriting his legacy in WWEor are the past criticisms still valid? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
