Jim Ross was pleased to see CM Punk arrive in WWE.
Following on from his AEW exit in September, CM Punk made his shock return to WWE at Survivor Series in his hometown of Chicago. The Allstate Arena erupted as the former World Champion walked out to over 17,000 ecstatic fans. AEW announcer JR has also stated that you can add his name to the list of people happy that Punk has returned.
Speaking on Grilling JR, Ross, who was known Punk for a number of years, was asked for his thoughts on the events that took place at Survivor Series. The commentator credited WWE for the great decision, which was backed up by the crowd’s reaction. Furthermore, Ross described how he hasn’t always seen eye-to-eye with the former AEW star:
It was a perfect booking decision. It was a great creative move. And, Your Honour, my evidence is the fact that can you hear the pop? Can you see? Cause it was sustained chaos. And for the wrestling fan. Hey, look, I guarantee you there’s a lot of AEW fans at Survivor Series. They’re wrestling fans, they don’t have this brand bullsh*t where I am only you’re going to sport one brand. So you must not really be a wrestling fan. Right? How could you be a wrestling fan and not be happy for the success of others within your industry? I don’t get it.
So anyway, It was a great booking good judgement by Paul Levesque a perfect end to the show. And for all I got to say, the whole damn thing is I didn’t see it live admittedly. I was probably napping, or watching football or something. Phil’s a friend, and I don’t know, didn’t always agree with him, or I certainly agreed with him more than not on some of his issues. But I really, I don’t know, man, he’s just a friend. I’m happy for my friends that find success in their chosen vocation.
So, I wish him the best of luck on his journey. Or, you know, hell, I don’t agree with all the sh*t that went on with him. You know, I think he could have handled it a little differently. As it probably everybody could go back and look at it in hindsight. But bottom line is he left and he was a great get timely. I love the surprise. I just saw my timeline blow up. And I had to go look. Of course, there was all over social media. And it was cool. And te announcers laid out. I thought that was smart, timely,
Continuing to analyse the move, Ross stated how Punk will regularly check in on the condition of Ross, who sadly has been dealing with multiple health issues in 2023:
I always enjoyed [Punk]. Phil’s a very good conversationalist. He’s very opinionated. And he’s very polarising. But he’s a captivating conversationalist. So I’ll say that for now. So just as friend to friend. And look, we don’t exchange Christmas cards. I don’t talk to Phil or text Phil every week or nothing like that. Rarely.
He checks on me and my health, which I appreciate. You’d be surprised at all your lifelong friends that ain’t said one word when they know you’re sick as hell. Society. I ain’t mad at nobody. Society. So anyway, good for Phil and good for wrestling. hope it all works out good for everybody. And what’s that saying Conrad? Large tides raise all ships or something along those lines?
Ross concluded by referencing the fact that he is nearing 5 decades in the industry and gave some valuable life lessons; don’t wish bad things on others and only worry about what you can control:
Look, Conrad. I’m 71. Next year will be 50 years in the business. I’ve learned a few things. We’ve had some success. But you never wish ill or booboo face for somebody else’s success. It’s not good karma. It’s not logical. You’re fretting about things you can’t control. And one of the as I got older, one of the best lessons I taught myself because I was in this position is, you know, don’t worry about things you can’t affect. And I did that for years and decades, decades because there was a problem every day.
Talent relations was you know, it was just a clearing house and it was challenging. So it sounds like you know, Triple H has got that under control. And like I said, good for wrestling, good for wrestling. And the more successes we find in the business. It’s gonna help everybody.
Additional Details In CM Punk’s Contract
Now back in WWE and having cut his return promo, Punk seems very friendly both on and off camera, with reports stating that Punk was very pleasant in the backstage area. It has been stated that CM Punk is on his “best behaviour,” which could be down to an interesting clause in his contract.
If you use any quotes from this article please credit Grilling JR and leave a h/t to Inside The Ropes.