CM Punk has opened up about his mental health struggles before his triumphant wrestling return in 2021.
The Straight Edge star quit the business very publicly when he walked out of WWE in 2014. He attributed to various ongoing injuries and creative frustration for his decision to not only leave the company but the sports entertainment world behind.
For many years it felt like nothing could bring the former World Champion back into the fold but this changed when AEW launched. The company gave new hope to Punk and after 7 long years, the wrestling veteran finally agreed to a return in 2021.
This is not to say however that the comeback was an easy one for the 45-year-old. Apart from the various physical challenges, there was also a mental struggle that he had to overcome. CM Punk opened up about the battles he fought with himself while speaking to O’Shea Jackson Jr. and TJ Jefferson on an episode of No Contest Wrestling. He admitted that he felt a level of imposter syndrome at the time:
“Coming back, there is a level of imposter syndrome that I think I’ve always dealt with. As much as I’ve always been that guy that shuts out all those negative voices, those voices are still there. After not doing something for seven years and famously having this very public and ugly breakup with the company, the thought is, ‘Are people going to care? How will they remember me?’”
‘Never Felt More Alive’: CM Punk
Though all the clouds cleared up when fans welcomed Punk back with open arms on his return during the August 20, 2021 episode of Rampage. According to him, the experience made him feel alive:
“There is always that little bit of doubt. I thrive on being uncomfortable, and in that moment, I was so uncomfortable because I was so uncertain, and I loved it. I have never felt more alive.”
While CM Punk is no longer with AEW, his run in the company helped him regain his passion and love for the business. Since moving to WWE last year, the wrestling veteran has not only been a featured performer but he has also been helping coach people behind the scenes. He has become a mentor and father figure to many young talents in NXT.
If you use the quotes from this article please credit WrestlingIP with an H/t for transcription
You can check out CM Punk’s full interview below:
