CM Punk’s Apology in Saudi Arabia Was Reportedly Planned Ahead of Time, Why WWE Wanted Him To Apologize

– As previously noted, CM Punk was recently the subject of controversy after voicing his apology to the people of Saudi Arabia during the WWE Night of Champions Kickoff show in Riyadh. During the event, Punk apologized to a fan and the people of Saudi Arabia for the past comments he made directed at The Miz in 2019. At the time he wrote, “Go suck a blood money-covered dick in Saudi Arabia, you f***ing dork.” During the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported more details regarding Punk’s recent apology.

Punk said during the Kickoff to a fan standing by the stage area, “I apologized to The Miz, and…Muhammad [the fan at the Kickoff show], I sincerely apologize to you and all of Saudi Arabia.” Some have criticized Punk for his comments, labeling him a “hypocrite,” with John Cena even notably calling Punk out for his “hypocrisy” during their title feud ahead of their match in Riyadh.

Meltzer’s report indicates that the apology Punk made onstage was pre-planned ahead of time. Meltzer reported that he talked to individuals within WWE about the issue. He stated that Punk’s apology “was not this impromptu thing, where all of a sudden somebody out of nowhere asked him a question, and then he just thinks to react and apologize and all that.”

He also indicated that Punk’s intention was always for him to travel to Saudi Arabia and apologize for his past comments. Meltzer added on Punk, “He was going there to apologize.” He continued, “The impression that they had that I was given is that everyone, Saudi Arabia, TKO, CM Punk, they’re all on board, and this is just what we gotta do.”

Additionally, WWE officials reportedly thought Punk going to Saudi Arabia and voicing his apology “makes him look good” and that it was “the right thing to do.” Meltzer also stated, “If he [Punk] has any qualms, nobody knows them.”

In discussing WWE Chief Creative Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque’s comments on the post-show regarding Punk, where he praised Punk’s growth as a person, Meltzer noted this is the message WWE wants to send regarding Punk right now, stating, “That’s the message that they want, that he’s grown up and not a hothead anymore. And his message was that he was mad at The Miz over something, and he didn’t really mean it about Saudi Arabia.”

In the main event at WWE Night of Champions Riyadh, John Cena defeated CM Punk to retain the WWE Undisputed Championship. WWE is slated to return to Saudi Arabia in January 2026 for the Royal Rumble.