WWE star CM Punk gives explicit three-word response to claims he’s a ‘cancer’ in wrestling after career controversies
CM Punk has blasted the long-held notion amongst some in wrestling circles that he’s a ‘cancer’ after controversial moments in his career.
The WWE Superstar is one of the most outspoken figures in the modern wrestling era, and is currently back with the company after a surprise return last November.
He made his second WWE debut at Survivor Series to a thunderous reaction from his hometown crowd in Chicago while, in the ring, Seth Rollins cut an angry figure.
While fans speculated that Rollins was hamming up a real-life dislike of Punk for the cameras, it was hard not to remember remarks from the charismatic former World Heavyweight Champion directed at the Straight Edge star earlier that year.
In January 2023 when asked about the potential of Punk starring in WWE – then a performer for rivals All Elite Wrestling – the Visionary was less than complimentary.
He told at the time: “Philly Phil, stay away. Stay away, you cancer, get away from me forever. I don’t like Phil. I don’t like Phil, he’s a jerk. Did we just figure that out?â€
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Punk and WWE have, in years gone by, been at loggerheads. After leaving the company a decade ago feeling ‘sick, tired and burnt out’, he vowed never to return after the company served him his termination papers on his wedding day.
He disappeared from the wrestling world for some time before his return with AEW, which also ended sourly.
Punk’s tenure there eventually terminated after an alleged backstage altercation with a fellow wrestler at Wembley Stadium in London that Fulham Owner and AEW chief Tony Khan said left him ‘my life was in danger.’
If some expected trouble to follow the star back to WWE following his Survivor Series return, there hasn’t been much made public to support their concerns.
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To the contrary, in fact; Head of Creative Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque has openly and often spoken of Punk’s ease to deal with as the veteran settles back into life as an active performer after time out with injury.
Now, Punk himself has indirectly addressed Rollins’ comments – specifically the expectation that he’s a ‘cancer.’
to The Masked Man Show during an appearance at Fanatics Fest NYC he said: “That’s all b*******.
“None of that stuff is reality. ‘Oh, he’s a cancer.’ - Listen, not everybody gets nice me.
“I treat you accordingly. If you’re a piece of s***, and you act that way to me, I will treat you that way. If you’re nice, you’re smiling, you want to have a good time, let’s have a good time. I’m all hugs.
“It’s not like I’m two different people, there are just certain people, the ones that spread those lies and say those things about me, because they can’t control me, and they can’t control the things I do and say.
“They absolutely hate that, so they try to control the way other people feel or see me. It’s b*******.
“You’re going to have to make your own judgment and draw your own conclusion.â€
Punk and Rollins have far from avoided each other since the former’s return to WWE, and have actively leaned into any real dislike they share on screen.
They’ve battled in a three-way storyline of sorts with Drew McIntyre, with Rollins effectively aiding the Scot to a win over Punk when serving as special guest referee for their match at SummerSlam.