– WWE aired a sit-down interview between CM Punk and Michael Cole during today’s Countdown show for WWE SummerSlam. During the interview, CM Punk addressed his issues with Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre heading into his match with McIntyre at today’s event. Below are some highlights:
CM Punk on Drew McIntyre’s animosity toward his WWE return: “I didn’t see it coming from Drew. Honestly, I’ve maybe not been surprised if it was coming from Seth. Right. Drew was a guy that was wasted potential for years and years and years, and he’s more mad at himself. And if I’m that totem that he needs to focus on, to take it out on, there’s nothing I can do about that. What Drew thinks of me is really none of my business, but it’s what he says and what he does to me that makes it my business. And he’s made it terribly, terribly personal.”
On why he’s screwed McIntyre out of the World Heavyweight Title twice: “There’s consequences and repercussions to things people do and say. I’m not the bad guy for return and fire. It’s not being injured that’s upsetting, but it’s just the disrespect. The disrespect, the gloating. Drew prayed for me to get injured. It’s a pretty rotten thing to do when I know him himself, has been fired from this company, has been sidelined with injuries. I don’t wish injury on any professional athlete. I think it’s a pretty low thing to do. But Drew’s dream is to be champion. My goal is to make sure Drew is not champion. Who’s got gold around their waist right now? Not Drew. So who wins?”
Punk on how he feels physically going into the match: “I’ll be honest. We talk about the gray in my beard, this arm, brand new. Right? Everything else. You know, athletes in their later years are like sports cars. Sometimes you blow a tire, you replace the tire. Sometimes, you know, you need a full engine overhaul. We’re not there yet, but I’m cleared to compete and my heart is the same as it ever was. So, you know, I’m coming to fight. I don’t care about a pro wrestling match. I don’t care about a referee. I don’t care about a bell. I’m coming to get my pound of flesh.”
His thoughts on Seth Rollins serving as the guest referee: “If I told you I didn’t care, that wouldn’t be truthful. But I’m really doing all I can to focus on Drew. Because the fact is I don’t know if I can beat Drew. You know, I know I can get my hands on them, and I know I can hurt them. I’ve already done that, and that’s my full intention. Seth is an unwelcome distraction. He saw money in the bank. He saw Glasgow. He saw all these things, and he saw me referee shirt, and Glasgow screwing Drew. And he probably thought, that’s a good idea. I’m glad I thought of it when the truth is CM punk thought of it, you know? So Seth is still just the jealous brat following in my footsteps.
And when I beat Drew, Seth can be next in line.”
On what he anticipates when he walks into Cleveland Browns Stadium: “I’m not making a plan except to go straight at Drew. I’m acting like this is a fight in the streets. Having Seth there, great. If he wants to be a deciding factor in the outcome of this match, I’ll deal with that when it happens. I’m seeing red in Cleveland, and I’m coming right for Drew.”
CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre, with Seth Rollins as the special guest referee, goes down later today at WWE SummerSlam 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The event will be broadcast live on Peacock.
If using any of the above quotes, please credit WWE with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.
