How CM Punk Is REALLY Viewed Backstage In WWE
Ever an opinion-splitting figure, what's the current WWE view on CM Punk?
Fresh off one of the hottest WWE Raw segments in forever, and having been back with WWE for four months now, there's an update on how CM Punk is viewed behind the scenes by those with the market leader.
As per Wade Keller over at the PWTorch, the Second City Saint continues to get "all positive reviews" from his peers and management for his behaviour and for how he carries himself. Keller adds that while Seth Rollins did have a legitimate gripe with Punk, the two get along fine when planning their segments together.
Whereas the must-see promo exchange between Punk, Rollins, and Drew McIntyre from Monday night had some questioning whether anyone involved had gone into the business for themselves, that was far from the case. The segment was designed to feel like the talent veered into "shoot" territory by touching on matters where there's been legitimate heat, and that doesn't say that such real issues don't exist, but more that the wrestlers were prepared to put any hard feelings to one side and use any tension to make the segment more buzz-worthy.
For those wondering about CM Punk alluding to disgraced former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon - Punk asking Drew McIntyre who labelled him the Chosen One - that was something that wasn't planned but was viewed as a "slick comment" that emphasised the tone WWE was looking for, with Punk expertly moving away from that topic after just a couple of seconds.
As previously reported, a general framework and certain lines were discussed ahead of time, but Paul Levesque was happy to trust the talent with a certain freedom, with him eager to encourage the trio to interject comments on the fly. This freedom obviously isn't something afforded to all talent, but Keller names Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, and The Rock as those alongside CM Punk, Seth Rollins, and Drew McIntyre who are trusted in this regard.
To circle back to CM Punk, he'll serve as a special commentator with McIntyre challenges Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship on Night 2 of WWE WrestleMania XL.