WWE Champion CM Punk Recalls Working With The Rock: ‘At The Time I Was Probably More Abrasive And Angry’

WWE

Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk has shared his current thoughts on his previous rivalry against The Rock in WWE.

CM Punk had a number of run-ins with The Great One towards the end of his previous WWE run, with Punk’s 434-day WWE Title reign notably coming to an end at the hands of The Rock at Royal Rumble 2013.

Speaking on ESPN Highlights with Omar, CM Punk noted that he looks back on this feud as a testament to his hard work, being able to work with a WWE legend.

Admitting that he didn’t always feel this way, the current Undisputed Champion explained:

“I think what stands out is, this is a guy who is a gigantic superstar, and doesn’t have to come back to wrestling. We do it all the time, we talk about part-timers and people stealing spots, all this and all that. But really, and I’ve had conversations with him since then, what an opportunity.

“At the time, I was probably more abrasive and angry, like ‘This is my house,’ but looking back on it, the opportunity to get to share a ring with him… And he’s pretty giving for the stature of superstar that he is.

“I remember in St Louis, Raw 1000, he sold for me like he got shot by a cannon. That to me is what the business is about, this was business.

“You’re in there with one of the greatest of all time and you’re not really stepping up to the plate or rising to the occasion, you (already) belong there. To me, this is a testament of my hard work to get to this level, to be the guy that wrestled The Rock at that time.

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Some fans argued that CM Punk winning the WWE Championship from Sami Zayn on the July 6 Raw episode was reminiscent of The Rock defeating Punk for the title in 2013, this time with Punk being the established star returning to take the title from the younger champion.

Addressing his title win, Punk stated that he had nothing to apologise for, and stated that he’d gladly give Zayn a rematch. 

CM Punk will defend his WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam. The champion following this bout will next defend their title against the winner of the #1 contender’s match between Finn Balor and Sami Zayn. 

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