Former WWE Superstar turned MMA Fighter CM Punk was recently interviewed by ESPN on a number of topics including his upcoming appearance at next month’s Starrcast III Convention in Chicago. CM Punk said that aside from the appearance itself and the signings there is really nothing behind it.
This is what CM Punk said: “They asked if I wanted to do Starrcast. That’s basically it.” “There’s no mad scientist formula to it. I hate traveling. I’ve turned down offers to do signings in other places. It turns into a mission to leave town just to do a signing and stuff. I like to take time with everybody and make sure everybody has a good experience. I try not to just shuffle people through a line. For those of you who don’t know what it is, it’s not just somebody shoves something in front of me, I sign it and it’s on to the next. I really try to make sure everybody has a story to tell or an experience. Sometimes it can be exhausting. The biggest thing was it’s in my hometown. I get to go for one day, I get to have fun, I get to give back to the fans, so to speak. And I get to go home and rest afterward.”
Punk was then asked about his relationship with All Elite Wrestling. Punk said that he has spoken to them a number of times, but nothing has really come of anything.
This is what CM Punk said: “No.” “I know they like to talk about me a lot. If I text Matt Jackson, ‘Hey, have a great show tonight,’ which I did when they had their big show in Vegas, that somehow turns into Tony Khan telling people he has a great relationship with me. I’ve said in the past I’ve talked to them, but nothing ever came of anything.”
Punk was then asked about fans expecting him to be at All Elite Wrestling’s All Out PPV Event. Punk said that if there is an expectation, then it must have been purely built by the fans themselves.
This is what CM Punk said: “I think if there’s an expectation, it’s purely been built by them.” “My silence to some fans means something. They’re trying to read the tea leaves, but there’s nothing to read. I even feel like talking about it may feel like I’m putting some sort of negative slant on it, but I’m really not. The fact is I know they’ve teased me ad nauseam, and if anybody is gonna get mad it’s at me because I don’t show up. Well then, I don’t know what to tell you. That’s one of those things that’s none of my business.”
Punk was then asked what he meant when he said he was teased by AEW.
This is what CM Punk said: “They do videos where they talk about me. They’re constantly talking about me in the media. And again, maybe this sounds like I’m badgering them, but I’m not. It’s just something that happens. I’m a popular guy to talk about. But I’m not doing interviews talking about them. If people ask me about it, I say no, I won’t be there.”
Punk was then asked to explain and clarify that there is no imminent deal between him and AEW.
This is what CM Punk said: “The last thing I got — I got a text from Cody [Rhodes]. And again, I almost don’t even know how to reply to them sometimes, because if I reply, they do interviews and are like, “Oh yeah, I just talked to Punk.” I’m kind of damned if I do, damned if I don’t. I always think if somebody wants to do business with me, they can come talk to me. Texting offers isn’t really a way to do good business, at least.”
Punk was then asked about the offer he received from AEW.
“It was texted through three people and an offer came in through text. This is like a month ago, maybe.” “I think it was just a general offer. I never could have done the last one in Vegas [Double or Nothing], because I was in California for CFFC.”
