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CM TALKS ABOUT RETURNING TO WRESTLING, WHY IT DIDN'T HAPPEN SOONER, WORKING IN AEW, TONY KHAN AND MORE

CM Punk's return episode to Renée Paquette's Oral Sessions Podcast is now available. 

Here are some notable things from the episode:

They talk about Punk's initial return to wrestling as a contributor to WWE Backstage for Fox and how Renée gets the credit. Punk and Renée discuss how different it was working for Fox than WWE. Punk mentions his initial conversations with Fox about being an analyst where he says he didn't want anything to do with "them" (WWE) to which those at Fox just wanted an honest analysis of the show (SmackDown) that they paid a lot of money for. Punk says he thinks he was fair and honest during his appearances.

In regards to coming to All Elite Wrestling, Punk reiterates that initial conversations facilitated through a third party didn't really go anywhere, as he wanted to talk face-to-face. When he did initially have conversations he had a wait-and-see approach as big claims were being made, mentioning specifically Tony Khan talking about the TNT TV deal. Punk stated that during his time on the indie scene, everyone heard claims of upstart promotions with a lot of hype not really coming to fruition. But once things did start happening things got more serious. He stated that his debut would've happened a lot sooner if it wasn't for the pandemic. He couldn't see debuting without fans. Punk puts over the men and women that have been wrestling without a crowd as he says they are the driving factor to what they all do in the ring. He says that he's glad things happen the way they did as it was the perfect storm.

Punk, in talking about his Rampage debut, talks about how nervous he was mentioning the backstage footage that was released by AEW. Punk was glad to have a support system with him to help keep him focused as he didn't have any clue what he was going to do or say. If he scripts it doesn't come off as genuine.  He talks about learning from Eddie Guerrero to listen to the crowd before the show starts and the lights dim hearing the initial pop to get the lay of the audience.  Punk says if it's more kids voices you hear, you can get away with more goofy stuff, if it's more male voices, you can do more sports orientated stuff.  He states he could really hear anything though beyond the first few seconds of his music equating the crowd to a jet engine. Punk says you didn't just hear it.  You felt it. Punk says the closest thing he can compare to Is standing underneath the L Train in Chicago.  Punk says he did his best to take it all in, and you saw him get emotional because it was a release and confirmed he was where he needed to be. And then he told himself, "Let's knock it out of the park".

On the subject of the ice cream bars, Renée tries to get out of him how much that cost. Punk says you don't want to know. He once again mentions it was his version of Andy Kaufman at Carnegie Hall with milk and cookies and talks about how he's done similar things at signings and Q&A's with pizza and donuts but never for 15,000 people.

On returning to the ring after seven years, Punk says it's similar to the Rampage debut with the nervous being there. Having this much anticipation for his return is a lot to live up to. He realizes that there are some of the audience that hasn't even seen him compete in the ring ever.

On the subject of why Darby Allin for his first opponent, he mentions that Darby would be the wrestler 15-year-old CM Punk would want to be. He's a skateboarder with punk rock sensibility, Punk sees a lot of himself in Darby.

On working with Sting, Punk says it's wild he never thought it would happen. Punk puts over Sting for being the constant in WCW at the beginning at the end of the Monday Night War. Punk thinks that Sting may not get the credit that Ric Flair or Hogan for his wrestling mind. He's glad that The Icon is in a prominent role in Darby's corner. Punk says that to him, Sting is very much like Harley Race was to Vader in WCW in the early 90s. Punk states it's a delight to see. Punk states that being in the ring with Sting was wild. And he was pinching himself because of the experience. Inside, he was so excited

Punk was asked who in AEW, he would like to face. He says, everybody. Punk then makes fun of the record system, mentioning the YouTube shows equating it to Goldberg's streak with numbers getting inflated. He says that he wants to mix it up with everybody talking about WCW Saturday night, you would see random pairings mix it up. Punk says he would love to have a tag match with the American Dragon against the Young Bucks. 

Renée asks about the writing on his sneakers, the last few weeks and Punk jokes, they came that way. She also asks whether Punk got in trouble with TNT for acknowledging the Yes chants from the crowd, he said no.

In regards to the backstage environment of AEW, Punk states that it's a lot of people he's known before. A lot of the talent have told him how much his return means showing him even significant tattoos. He also acknowledges he apologized to some, like Serena Deeb backstage, for his past behavior where in Punk's words, he took the business way too seriously.  Old-school CM Punk was obsessed with professional wrestling.  He had that old-school wrestler mindset of being tough, working hurt and that was to his detriment.  He credits his wife for forcing him to reprioritize and not having that same mindset.  Punk mentions that Tony Khan has already asked him if he had vacation plans ahead.  Punk says he is focused on the here and now with AEW.

Punk was asked about the creative environment and working with Tony Khan.  He says from what he's seen so far, guys don't get full carte blanche to do whatever they want, but they do have a direct line to Tony to work creatively.  He also did talks about what it was like to bounce ideas off guys like Sting when working on one of their segments.  Punk talks about how the old-school territories put a young guy with the veteran to make him better and to teach.  He says he doesn't know if he can make the new generation better but give them a different perspective and show them more ways. Punk talks about the difference between what he wants to do as the main event talent in AEW, and what was his experience in WWE where the top echelon sought to bury the underneath to keep their spot.  He thought about that.  He has a spot.  He's not worried about taking anyone elses.  He talks about someone like Orange Cassidy, who he may not exactly get but he listens to the crowd and reaction says it all.

Punk is asked about the recent returns of Edge, Christian, and possibly Paige. Punk says he's happy for anyone to get a third act.

Punk talks about the AEW locker room being quiet about Brodie Lee's illness made him believe the locker room was a place where he wanted to be. He shared some Brodie memories.

Punk gives his thoughts on some of the matches, he is excited for this Sunday.

 

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