Ryback Says He Understands CM Punk’s Frustrations With WWE

– Ryback discussed CM Punk’s issues with him and WWE in an interview on Colt Cabana’s Art of Wrestling podcast. The highlights are below:

On not having issues with Colt Cabana over the CM Punk podcast: “I was taken aback by your even apologizing because you never – you were just there, you weren’t the one saying the things. It was never between you and me. I’m not the type of person where, just because you are friends with the guy where you aren’t the one that said it. Yes, it was your show, but it’s what it is. Not even once did I remotely think, ‘God damn, that Colt Cabana, I wish he didn’t go there with that.'”

On Punk’s viewpoint of the situation: “I remember when that whole thing happened, and even at the time I didn’t think it was that big of a deal, but he has such a following where he made some very valid points about the company and his frustrations, it kind of all lumped into one. Till this day, his followers and fans still hate the idea of me, which sucks because once you do get to know me, they think to themselves, ‘Oh, he’s not that bad.’

On Cabana and Punk: “I always enjoyed being around you, and you were always good to me, so it was just one of those things, and I understand after going through my own things with WWE, everybody has their own personal story and what not, but at that period in time, he and I always going along before that. We were never friends but we were always civil with one another. He was in his own world and I was in my own world but we would talk occasionally and everything was always pleasant. I think also when you are dealing with that atmosphere and you are talking about top positions in that company, it is a very sensitive thing. The two guys that I ‘supposedly’ didn’t get along with were the two top guys at the time, and it makes sense, I understand it, and you can’t take anything personal.”

On understanding Punk’s frustrations: “But I too understand, after going through my own back and shoulder injuries, he was really beat up too during that time period and I am a power wrestler. I remember one night giving him a simple power slam and his back was really messed up and he was hurting. I didn’t really know what to do because the one thing with Vince is, if you are a bigger guy and it looks like you are throwing fluff, there’s nothing that will kill you off quicker, but at the same time you never want to hurt a guy that really is injured, so the things he said I think he was just really frustrated too. Again, being in a top spot, I just think it all got grouped together.”