CM Punk Fires Back at Critics Ahead of SummerSlam Showdown

Ahead of his hotly anticipated grudge match against Drew McIntyre at WWE SummerSlam this weekend, CM Punk has addressed his critics head-on. Punk's return to WWE in November, after a near-decade absence and a tumultuous departure from AEW, sparked immediate controversy within the locker room. His upcoming SummerSlam bout, with McIntyre as his opponent and Seth Rollins as the referee, will see him face two figures who have publicly voiced their disapproval of his comeback.

In a sit-down interview with Michael Cole, published on WWE's YouTube channel, Punk candidly addressed his detractors. "I've never been one to listen to most of the critics," he stated, acknowledging the overwhelming nature of his return. "There are people who paved the way for me to be there, and I'll always listen to them. But there are others who have come after me, who seem to be constantly jealous of me. You can criticise me all you want, but chances are you're wrong and I'm right."

Taking his criticism a step further, Punk declared that his critics were even more invested in him than his biggest supporters. "Nobody watches you more than your biggest hater," he asserted. "To me, they're just the flip side of the fan coin. Everyone pays attention to what CM Punk does."

Punk acknowledged his polarising nature, suggesting that he is either the first to lend a hand or the first to deliver a punch. He attributed this duality to the individuals he encounters rather than a flaw in his own character. Ultimately, he expressed a desire to prove his detractors wrong, stating, "I think that's been the basis of my entire life, let alone my entire career." Punk's refusal to conform to expectations, a trait which initially endeared him to fans, remains a driving force in his approach.

This clash at SummerSlam promises to be a highly charged affair, with Punk aiming to silence his critics with a decisive victory.