Corey Graves comments on CM Punk's return.
CM Punk is officially back on WWE television, having made his WWE Backstage debut on Tuesday as a special contributor and analyst. And Corey Graves believes it's a great move...for Fox.
"It is a great move by Fox," said Graves on After The Bell. "If Fox wants to get viewers and eyes on FS1, what better way then putting the man whose name is still chanted in arenas worldwide and one of the most controversial superstars ever in the business? This has fueled rumors and speculation, is Punk going to come back into the WWE fold, is he going to compete again? Punk himself has said 'no,' he's not interested in wrestling anymore. But as his appearance alone proved, you can never say never in WWE. My personal opinion on the matter is that it's a great move by Fox."
Punk stated on WWE Backstage that an in-ring return is not something he is actively pursuing.
Corey Graves has made no secret of his feelings regarding CM Punk in the past. Following Punk's UFC 225 loss, Graves sent out a series of tweets aimed at Punk and where things stood in their relationship. Graves wrote on Twitter, "Maybe abandoning everybody who stood by your side, even when we weren?t supposed to, only to have you turn your back on us wasn?t the right move after all? No anger. Only sadness. Awww. Seems the ?fans? are disappointed. Maybe you guys should know that ?That Dude? held my first son before I did because I was on tour and I trusted him. My loyalty? Oh, would you like the BEFORE? Or AFTER? I?ve got both. I mean, one can only be shit on by their ?best friend? for so long before they smarten up, no?"
Graves clarified his comments to Fightful, saying, "What really set me off was this week when he essentially disowned the business that made him. My only issue with him was that he turned off people that actually loved and supported him. Beyond ?the business? and he never wanted anything to do with us...yet continued to present himself as this ?Punk? hero."
You can read Fightful's full report on CM Punk on WWE Backstage by clicking here.