CM Punk Explains Why There’s Less Of a ‘Combative’ Nature Backstage In WWE Now

CM Punk says he’s staying more present in his current World Title reign than his past ones, and explained how things have changed backstage in WWE since his first run. Punk captured the title Saturday Night’s Main Event, over 17 years since his first reign in June to September of 2009. During an appearance on Mostly Sports, he was asked how things are different now.

In addition to his own personal growth, Punk noted that things are just less combative in terms of jockeying for the title. He chalked it up to the fact that you don’t get paid more for being World Champion and noted there’s good and bad about that. You can see highlights below:

On The Difference Between This Title Reign and His First WWE Title Reign:

“Oh gosh. I definitely think when I won the belt the first time, it was just like, ‘I need to hold onto this thing, And I need to prove to everybody like why I’m the champion.’ It’s like almost this unhealthy obsession with it, and not living in the moment, always thinking ahead. Like, ‘What’s coming next? How can I further, you know, raise my stock and prove to people that I belong here.’

“And there’s absolutely none of that. Now I’m pretty secure and like, you know who I am. I have the empirical data to prove that I am exactly everything I’ve ever said I was to back it up. So this time I’m just kind of in the moment. I’m just loving it, just staying present.”

On the Combative Nature Of the Previous Era:

“I mean, it was definitely combative with me. But it was also combative with like everybody else too.”

On The That Being As Much of a Thing Now:

“I mean, the business has radically changed. It was a different place when I signed than when I debuted. And then when I came back like, it’s such a radically different place. This — the thing with the title too is, it means you made more money. That does not exist anymore.

On the Positives and Negatives Of That Change:

“It’s good and bad. Like we all make more money now, which is thumbs up. But we, — like, my paycheck was always predicated on how many people were in the building. So I was driven towards ticket sales and the business of it. And when you’re in the main events, you got paid more money. And now, everyone’s just kind of on salary.

“So I think that’s good and bad. It’s good for the boys. But also, I feel there’s not the same ambition. I always wanted to be in the main event because it got me more money. And now I think it’s — now I don’t care if I’m the opening match, because I’m still gonna make the same. And I can shower and watch the show.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit Mostly Sports with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.