Headline:
CM Punk Reveals New Approach in WWE: “You Don’t Have to Like Everyone to Be a Pro,” Focuses on AJ Lee Return and WrestlePalooza Showdown

Byline:
Professional Wrestling Journalist

WWE Superstar CM Punk has always been known as much for his unfiltered honesty as his in-ring excellence. As he prepares for a historic mixed tag team match at WrestlePalooza—teaming with his wife, AJ Lee, against Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch—Punk offered rare insight into his current mindset, backstage philosophy, and the magic of sharing the spotlight with the love of his life.

Speaking exclusively to ESPN’s Pardon My Take this week ahead of WrestlePalooza, Punk discussed everything from working with colleagues he may not personally like, to the evolution of his creative process, to the emotional significance of AJ Lee’s WWE return[1][3][4]. The event, set for Saturday, September 20 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, marks WWE’s first major ESPN Pay-Per-View and a true “dream come true” for Punk and Lee[1][4].

Professionalism Over Personal Preference

CM Punk, no stranger to locker room drama and public spats, has taken a pragmatic—and perhaps more mature—approach to workplace relationships since his 2023 WWE return. “If you’re a true professional, you don’t have to even remotely like the guy you work with,” Punk said on Pardon My Take[2]. “The business is built on trust. If somebody is going to try and double-cross me, that’s a whole different problem, but I work with professionals who aren’t going to do that. Some of them don’t like me. Some of them, I don’t care for. That’s the magic and the line we get to weave in and out.”[2][5]

According to a WWE insider, Punk’s philosophy is emblematic of a broader cultural shift within the company, where personal differences are increasingly set aside for the sake of the product and the fans. “There’s less focus on backstage politics and more emphasis on putting on the best show possible,” the source revealed. “Punk’s attitude reflects that. He’s not here to make friends, but he’s not here to burn bridges, either.”

This approach is particularly relevant to Punk’s current storyline with Seth Rollins, a feud steeped in real-life history. Rollins recently escalated tensions on Raw, calling into question Punk’s loyalty and even suggesting he would “abandon” AJ Lee during their upcoming match. While this is classic WWE hype, sources close to the situation confirm there’s legitimate professional tension between the two, though both are committed to delivering in the ring[5].

A Change in Creative Approach

Perhaps just as striking as Punk’s philosophy on workplace relationships is his admission that he no longer feels the need to pitch creative ideas for himself. “I think there’s a little bit of magic that can happen because, to me, there’s a lot of great minds that I work with. There’s a lot of people who have more experience than me, and maybe back in the day I would say, ‘No, I know what to do.’ Now I’m more—I guess I’m just kind of chill now. Whereas before it was more rebellious,” Punk told Pardon My Take[1].

Punk explained that he’s adopted a more collaborative mindset. “There’s a magic about maybe taking something that you didn’t see or you didn’t think of—somebody else’s idea—and going, ‘Oh, you know what, yeah, okay, I can do that with this. And, hey, what if we did this?’ I don’t really pitch things, and I’ve taken a page out of Cena’s book—they deal ’em, I play ’em. I have ideas and I have suggestions, and more often times now it’s for other people, not for me. And I just kind of roll with it.”[1]

According to a backstage source familiar with WWE’s creative process, Punk’s evolution is a reflection of both his growth and WWE’s current environment. “The company values his experience, but there’s also a team approach to storytelling now. Punk’s willingness to trust the process is noticed—and appreciated.”

AJ Lee’s Return: “A Dream Come True”

While Punk’s reflections on professionalism and collaboration will resonate with fans and insiders alike, the most emotional moment of the interview came when he discussed teaming with AJ Lee—his real-life wife and a WWE Hall of Famer—for the first time in nearly a decade[3][4].

“I’m having the time of my life,” Punk said. “I’m like the uber, nerdiest wife guy. I always like to say I try to spend as much time with my wife as I can, and I spend a lot of time with her. And it never feels like it’s enough. So having her be back in this environment with me at work is like a dream come true.”[3][4]

Lee, a cornerstone of WWE’s women’s division in the 2010s, retired in 2015 and made her shocking return on the September 5 episode of SmackDown. Her first match back at WrestlePalooza is one of the most anticipated moments of the year. “She’s inspirational, honestly,” Punk gushed. “Her willpower, a lot of that’s diet. But she’s also super strong in the gym and she’s, like, lifting heavy weights and busting her ass all the time.”[4]

Punk revealed that he even canceled a planned appearance at the premiere for his upcoming horror movie “Night Patrol” in order to focus on their renewed partnership. “Once the idea of her coming back was real, I had to make some calls and reprioritize. This is the stuff that matters,” he said[4].

The WrestlePalooza Stage

WrestlePalooza marks a pivotal moment not just for Punk and Lee, but for WWE as a whole. As the first major event under WWE’s new ESPN Pay-Per-View deal, the spotlight couldn’t be brighter—and the stakes couldn’t be higher for the performers involved[1].

The mixed tag team match features two of WWE’s most dynamic couples: Punk & Lee vs. Rollins & Lynch. Each superstar brings a unique history with Punk, adding real-life stakes to the already electric in-ring action. Rollins and Punk’s feud, in particular, has leaned heavily on their complicated past, both in and out of the ring[2][5].

Looking Forward

As CM Punk continues his latest WWE chapter, his public reflections signal a man at peace with his past, present, and future. His focus on professionalism, creative collaboration, and family exemplifies the kind of maturity that can only come from years of highs and lows—inside the ring and out.

For fans, WrestlePalooza offers not just a marquee match, but a glimpse into the evolving philosophy of one of wrestling’s most compelling stars. With AJ Lee back by his side and a renewed sense of purpose, CM Punk may just be entering the most rewarding phase of his storied career.

Sources: ESPN’s Pardon My Take podcast[1][3][4]; Fightful[2]; Wrestling Headlines[1]; WWE insider sources.

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Meta Description:
CM Punk opens up about working with colleagues he may not like, changing his creative process, and teaming with wife AJ Lee at WWE WrestlePalooza in an exclusive ESPN interview—get the backstage details and what it means for WWE’s future.