Drew McIntyre Understands Why WWE Brought Back CM Punk Despite Past Controversies

Drew McIntyre has been on an impressive run for months, with his rivalry with CM Punk becoming central storyline on WWE television. Many feel the seeds were planted last year and Drew McIntyre has now admitted that he understands why WWE brought back Punk despite his controversies.

Drew McIntyre and CM Punk’s rivalry has been a big part of WWE in 2024. Even though Punk got injured at the Royal Rumble with a torn triceps, their feud didn’t stop. Punk kept interfering in McIntyre’s matches, making him lose the world title several times. Their conflict came to a big moment at WWE SummerSlam, where they had an intense match and then yet another one at Bash in Berlin.

CM Punk came back at Survivor Series last year, which was something no one imagined was ever possible. During an interview with Mike Johnson of PWInsider, Drew McIntyre talked about his current feud with CM Punk, acknowledging the real emotions between them but emphasizing that they can work together professionally. McIntyre admitted that his initial reaction to Punk’s return to WWE was frustration, but he understands the business side of the decision.

McIntyre found it intriguing how many fans immediately speculated about who Punk would face, without considering the deeper history and personal feelings involved. McIntyre believes that if given the opportunity, he and Punk could create one of the most compelling stories because of their real emotions, while still maintaining professionalism. He noted that WWE’s creative team, led by Triple H, encourages talent to push their creative boundaries and make people believe in the stories being told. For McIntyre, it’s easier to make the audience believe when the emotions on-screen are genuinely felt.

”I mean, if I had a chance to really think about it, initially, I was pretty annoyed (that CM Punk returned to WWE), but I understand business and I understand why it was done. But, I found it interesting that everybody started going, ‘Oh, it’s obviously going to be this, or obviously going to be this guy.’ I was sitting there thinking, there’s a lot of real history here, and a lot of real feelings I’ve got and if I get the opportunity, I know we could tell the most compelling story of all, because no matter my real feelings, I’m still a professional, you know? He’s still a professional, and we’ve been given the platform to show the world what we can truly do creatively. Our creative team, obviously led by Triple H is very much, you go out there and you take this creative as far as you can take it. You make people feel, you make people believe, and it’s not so hard to make people believe when you truly feel what’s good on-screen, inside and out.”

Drew McIntyre and CM Punk are scheduled to face off in a Hell in a Cell match at the WWE Bad Blood Premium Live Event next month. With the escalating tension between the two, fans can expect the trilogy match to be a very violent affair, so we’ll have to see who will come out on top in the end.

Do you believe CM Punk returning to WWE has been a massive success so far? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!