CM Punk: I Don’t Offer Unsolicited Advice, I Don’t Think My Way Is The ‘One Way’ To Do Anything

CM Punk discusses having a lot to offer WWE’s young talent, explains why he doesn’t offer unsolicited advice, and reveals that there are still talents in the locker room that he is in awe of.

Now at the age of 46, CM Punk views himself as a player-coach in WWE. He is in a unique position, having had the opportunity to wrestle the likes of Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio in their prime, as well as gaining experience wrestling The Undertaker and The Rock, all while being part of the independent wrestling generation that inspired many of today’s stars. As such, there are times when a WWE Superstar like Gunther may show authentic excitement about getting to wrestle CM Punk.

Speaking with Allenownz Wrasslin, Punk would ask how he feels when someone like Gunther shows excitement about working with him. Punk said he doesn’t see Gunther that way, but he finds it humbling because he remembers what it felt like to be in that position. He also shared some honesty about not always feeling like the “Best in the World” off-camera.

“Well, it’s weird, right? Because I am, contrary to everything you see on screen, I’m not one to champion myself. When I’m on screen? Yeah, ‘Best in the World. ‘What a ridiculous thing to say,” he admits. “But that comes from me coming from nothing, like, what am I supposed to do? Am I supposed to go, ‘Yeah, I don’t think today’s my day, guys. I’m gonna give it my best, but shit, I’m gonna lose?’ That doesn’t resonate. That is a real human emotion that goes through my head, and I think goes through a lot of other people’s heads; it doesn’t fly for an on-screen character. I do think I have a wealth of knowledge. I do think I can help out. I do know for a fact that I have paved the way for a great many people, whether they love me or they hate me. Those are just facts. If anybody backstage wants to ask me questions, pick my brain, capitalize on what they might think can help them, I’m all ears.

“I do not offer unsolicited advice because I’ve been there where I have a pretty good idea. I know what I’m doing, and somebody will say, ‘Hey, don’t do this.’ Or an old timer will be like, ‘Hey, you know, don’t do that anymore, because you’re making me look bad.’ My perspective now, at 46, is that I see all sides. I definitely don’t think my ideas or my way of doing something is the only way to do anything. I’m all about the best voice; the best idea in the room wins. But it means a lot to me, and it is my great responsibility to be able to be that for anybody.

“I don’t see Gunther in that way. So if you see him in that way, that’s flattering for me. That gives me pause, that makes me go, wow, because I look at him and I’m in awe of him, you know? So it’s to me, it’s a heavy responsibility. It’s a burden in the best way, because it just means they look at me the way I looked at Roddy Piper, Bret Hart, Eddie Guerrero, guys that I couldn’t believe, ‘I can just call Eddie Guerrero and ask him a question?’ and he didn’t care. He encouraged it, and wanted me to speak to him. There’s other guys in the locker room, like Rey Mysterio, that are around that I still look at in awe. If anybody looks at me like that, that to me just means I’ve been successful in this business, and it’s an accomplishment.”

CM Punk will face Gunther in the main event of WWE SummerSlam on Saturday. Check out the full card here.

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