Booker T discusses CM Punk's return.
Fans were stunned at the end of Tuesday's episode of WWE Backstage when CM Punk made his return. The surprise appearance was kept under wraps from everyone except seemingly Renee Young. Even co-host Booker T didn't know what was coming.
"I didn't see CM Punk all day. I didn't know he was in the building. I didn't know there was a segment planned. I was genuinely surprised that it was CM Punk. I knew it. But I didn't know anything," Booker joked on his Hall of Fame podcast.
"The fans want to see CM Punk back in the business. To see him back in that format is one thing, but I'm sure people want to see CM Punk back in the ring. That's the end goal, I would expect for many fans. For him to come on [WWE Backstage], Samoa Joe was on, and it was like a reunion. The internet pretty much blew up. Nothing but positive comments on the show. It let me know we did a good job keeping people to the end of the show and then Punk coming out and making a splash. Next week, people are going to be wondering what's going to happen."
When asked what happened after the show went off the air, Booker revealed they went out to dinner with Punk. He didn't go into details on the dinner, only revealing he made "small talk" about MMA and wrestling with Punk.
As far as what Punk may say when he joins the show next week, Booker teased, "I don't know what's going to happen with CM Punk because he's a wild card. We don't know what he's going to say. He can go right off the cuff. He could perhaps want to have a pipebomb moment, and we'll have to restrain him."
After his appearance, WWE and Fox announced Punk had signed on as a special contributor and analyst. He will make periodic appearances on the show beginning Nov. 19.
If you use any of the quotes above, please credit Booker T's Hall of Fame podcast with a h/t to Fightful for the transcription.
