WWE Champion CM Punk was interviewed by AZCentral.com this week to promote next week’s RAW Supershow from Phoenix. Punk took part in a Q&A session and spoke about a number of topics, including how Japanese fans differ from American fans, being a role model, his straight-edge lifestyle becoming a gimmick in WWE and more. Here are some highlights of what Punk said about:

Whether American Fans Are Respectful: “It’s just a lack of “excuse me” and “please” and “thank you.” I’m a pretty approachable guy, but I’ve had my headphones taken off my head in the gym, people poking me in the back like I’m a farm animal. It’s a part of the game.”

Being A Role Model: “I’m the straight-edge guy. I’m a damn good guy to look up to. But I approach it the way Charles Barkley approached it. I’m not a role model. Everybody should choose their own path in life. I don’t get preachy with the straight-edge stuff.”

“I find myself being a target as opposed to being put on a pedestal. I get criticized a lot. There are people who are skeptical about it or scared by it or intimidated by it.”

If He Minds His Straight Edge Lifestyle Has Become A Gimmick: “No, because it’s who I am. People say, “When did you decide to be straight edge?” I was born this way. It’s nothing I really decided (pause) and, right now, while I’m talking, on the treadmill and doing an interview, there’s a guy standing over here, taking pictures … (He politely asks the guy to stop, which doesn’t seem to go well). All right, and now he just flipped me off, and I’m the (expletive). See what I mean? (sighing) … Anyway, I don’t think I have a persona per se. I’m not trying to be something I’m not.”

A Future Acting Career: “That’s not up to me, but it’s nothing I’m actively pursuing. I never say never to anything, but it’s nothing I’m looking to actively do.”

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