New CM Punk Vlog Showcases Australia and Japan Tours, Names Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky as Future of WWE

WWE released a new vlog showcasing CM Punk in the final leg of WWE’s Australia tour earlier this month, followed by a two-night run of WWE Supershow live events in Tokyo, Japan. During the video, Punk offered his candid thoughts regarding fellow WWE Superstars Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky, his gratitude for his fans, and more.

Additionally, Punk dedicated his match at the October 18 WWE Supershow in Japan to his late MMA coach, Duke Roufus. Below are some highlights:

CM Punk on Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky being the future of WWE

“You know, Iyo Sky is consistently, I think, the best wrestler that we have. Rhea is probably a close second, but you talk about superstar and you know, I don’t think it’s a secret that like, you know, I was one of Rhea’s favorites when she was a kid growing up and it’s kind of no different than the fan that says, ‘I’m sober because of you,’ or, ‘I waited 19 years to see you.’ Like, I just want to, I just want to give back ’cause I’m so full of gratitude, you know? And those two are the future.”

On wrestling in Japan

“When I was coming up, like Japan was the place, like all my heroes went and wrestled. You know, Eddie under the hood as Black Tiger, but even before that, like you hear the stories about Bruiser Brody, Stan Hansen, Harley Race, the Funk Brothers, you know, and it became this thing where I think eventually there’s generations of American pro wrestlers, especially on the indies that wanted to just wrestle in Japan and be Japanese wrestlers, and ironically enough, because of, you know, Terry Funk and Ted Dibiase and I think there’s a generation of Japanese wrestlers that just wanted to be American cowboys.”

CM Punk on being grateful he gets to wrestle in Japan

“What a treat it is to wrestle in Japan. It’s a very special place for myself and a lot of people here. I’m sad it’s over with, but the good thing is, we have a night two, so I get to do it all again tomorrow. I love Japan, and we’re going upstairs. Don’t necessarily love the stairs. This is a legendary venue. It’s a legendary place to wrestle. I am fortunate, grateful to be able to wrestle in this country. Japanese fans are the best in the world. I’m expecting it to be a little bit louder. There’s a few more people here tonight. Big night two, and it’s an earlier show time-wise. So we’re hoping to leave the building with no roof, I think would be the goal.”

On dedicating his second WWE Supershow Match to late MMA coach Duke Roufus

“Last one in Tokyo, maybe ever, I don’t know. I don’t know what’s gonna happen, but grateful for all the Japanese fans and I’m grateful for all the boys and girls I work with. This one is for Duke Roufus.”

On teaming with Shinsuke Nakamura in Japan

“Oh, he’s a Japanese wrestling legend, and I think a couple years ago, if you said to somebody, you know, CM Punk’s gonna be tagging with Shinsuke in Tokyo and then lifting AJ Styles up on his shoulders at the end of the night, they probably wouldn’t believe you, but, you know, the universe has a funny way of providing and putting you where you belong. This is where I belong in this locker room, surrounded by all these great men and women. Yeah, if this was his last match in Tokyo, we did it right.”

 

On celebrating AJ Styles

“We had to celebrate AJ Styles. You know, I love it when the fans chant, you know, ‘Thank you, AJ.’ What he means to me is, he’s a guy that started around the same time as I did in a different part of the country. Paid his dues, did things his way. He’s very influential and he’s a guy that you never thought would be in WWE, let alone make it in WWE. We kind of have that in common. You know, he exceeded his expectations just like I did. So I’m standing here now, you know, towards the end of my career and, you know, John Cena’s hanging it up and AJ Styles says he’s gonna retire next year, and I don’t know how long I got. I’m gonna go until the wheels fall off, and I just know that that’s sooner than later. So it’s important I think, for all of us, not just myself, to celebrate all the wrestlers as they, you know, retire. There’s a whole new crop of people coming up to take our spots, and I think we’re anxiously awaiting that to happen in some respects.”

Duke Roufus, the MMA coach and founder of Roufusport MMA, tragically passed away on October 17. Roufus was also Punk’s MMA coach and trainer.

As previously reported, CM Punk and Shinsuke Nakamura beat The Vision (Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker) in the main event of the October 18 WWE Supershow.

After the match, AJ Styles came out for a glorious sendoff by the Japanese wrestling audience and WWE locker room, as the live event was likely Styles’ last show as an active wrestler. CM Punk also embraced Styles during the post-match celebration.

If using any of the above quotes, please credit WWE, with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.