CM Punk's return to pro wrestling when he signed with AEW was a huge deal and his debut sent interest in the company's programmes through the roof. Unfortunately, some didn't like sharing the spotlight or simply didn't want the Second City Saint to be there.
The issues The Young Bucks, Matt and Nick Jackson, and "Hangman" Adam Page had with Punk culminated in the All Out backstage brawl. A line was then drawn in the sand and things came to a head when Punk clashed with Jack Perry at All In.
Appearing at Fanatics Fest NYC over the weekend, it was put to Punk that many people expected the issues he had in AEW to carry over into WWE.
Instead, he's received praise from management and fellow wrestlers, with NXT Superstars eager to learn from the Best in the World. That's a stark contrast from AEW and Punk didn't hold back from sharing his take on the negative picture painted of him by wrestlers in that company.
"That’s all bullshit. None of that stuff is reality. 'Oh, he’s a cancer.' Listen, not everybody gets nice me. I treat you accordingly. If you’re a piece of shit, and you act that way to me, I will treat you that way. If you’re nice, you’re smiling, you want to have a good time, let’s have a good time. I’m all hugs. It’s not like I’m two different people."
He continued, "There are just certain people, the ones that spread those lies and say those things about me, because they can’t control me and they can’t control the things I do and say. They absolutely hate that, so they try to control the way other people feel or see me. It’s bullshit. You’re going to have to make your own judgment and draw your own conclusion."
AEW's attempts to paint Punk as the villain have failed, something that was evident when the company aired the security footage from All In. Meant to make him look bad, it instead confirmed he'd been telling the truth and led to widespread backlash aimed at AEW President Tony Khan.
In recent months, Punk has been feuding with Drew McIntyre. After the Second City Saint took a loss to the Scottish Psychopath at SummerSlam, they're now expected to square off in a Strap Match at Bash in Berlin later this month.