WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H opened up about the process of CM Punk’s return to the company at Survivor Series 2023.
CM Punk made his shocking return to WWE at WWE Survivor Series. As previously noted, it came together at the last minute, and very few people knew about it in advance.
During an interview that aired on the Countdown to WWE WrestleMania 40 Night Two, Triple H was asked about CM Punk’s return and he recalled how it came about. (H/t Jeremy Lambert of Fightful for the transcription)
“Funny. If you had asked me a few weeks prior to that…there were rumors and all that stuff, but we had zero communication at that point,” Triple H said. “As we got closer to the event, there was a couple of conversations that happened between Punk and Nick Khan. Nick said to me, ‘Would you be opposed to me having a conversation and seeing where it goes?’
“I said, ‘No. I have no issues there. My concern is, what’s the fit?’ It was still a long shot to me when I called Neil Lawi on the WWE music side to see about Cult Of Personality, just in case. Day of the event, I want to say Survivor Series had started. That’s when I got word that ‘we’re going to try to paper this and get it done quick. He’s going to head that way.’ While we were live, on the air with Survivor Series. At that point, maybe five people knew.”
Triple H: This Is A Completely Different CM Punk
Triple H went on to discuss working with CM Punk, and he stated that the former world champion is completely different, compared to the person he was when he left WWE.
“Right before he arrived at the building, I got word that everything was agreed to” Triple H said. “We snuck him in the building, I left Gorilla for a minute to go say hello. The other talent, I pulled aside in the break before the match, before they went to the ring. I’m sure there was a lot of mixed emotions. Controversial guy. Over the next day or two, I had a lot of very interesting private conversations with a lot of people to air their differences.
“We all got to an amicable place. I can say this about CM Punk, is this is a completely different CM Punk than he was when he left. It’s been all for the positive. He’s been nothing but a wonderful employee and a wonderful addition to the team. It’s been so refreshing working with him that we’ve been keeping him part of everything while he’s out injured. It’s been great.”
CM Punk recently detailed his return to WWE. Check out his comments here.
Punk is sidelined with a torn triceps, but he will be on commentary for the World Heavyweight Championship match between Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 40 Night Two.
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