During a recent appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast, WWE President Nick Khan opened up about CM Punk’s return to WWE in November 2023, firmly pushing back against long-held criticisms about Punk’s backstage reputation.
“It’s been great,” Khan said, referencing Punk’s reintegration into WWE after nearly a decade away and a tumultuous AEW stint. “It was so obvious to me that he wasn’t a cancer.”
Drawing from his past as a talent agent, Khan said he’s no stranger to challenging personalities but never found Punk to be one.
“I had always found him to be a gentleman. I always found him to be honest, responsive… I felt if he was that way outside of the company, and if given an opportunity to come back to the company, he would be that way, and he said that he would be.”
Despite Punk currently being out with a triceps injury sustained during the 2024 Royal Rumble, Khan concluded with glowing praise:
“He’s been a gem to work with.”
Punk is expected to return later this year, with a rumored continuation of his rivalry with Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns awaiting once cleared.
