Seth Rollins on how CM Punk's WWE departure was handled, and if he would be welcome back
The This Is Awesome Wrestling Show, which is based in Cleveland, recently interviewed Seth Rollins, who opened up about CM Punk leaving WWE and joining UFC. You can listen to the full interview here, it starts at 14:43. They sent us these highlights from the episode:
Thoughts on CM Punk leaving WWE: "Good for him. Kudos to Punk for finding himself something to do after WWE. He's made a big splash over the last few weeks between his podcasts and signing with UFC. I wish him the best of luck. I really hope that he has as much success there as he has here. I think it will be very interesting for him to try something new. He's only been a pro wrestler since he was 18 years old. For him, at his age, to step out of his comfort zone and try something new is pretty admirable and I'm looking forward to seeing how he does."
The way CM Punk left WWE: "I think it could have handled better, probably, on both sides. And I think down the road, people involved will say the same thing. But as much as I don't necessary agree with the way he left, I think I understand, mentally, where he was. This business can take a toll on you. You travel a lot. You get beat up a lot. There's a lot of frustration that's involved and mentally, over time, that can wear on you. It can put you in place where you're a different person. And when you're not happy with who you are and the person you want to be, you gotta take a step back. You gotta look at things outside the bubble a little bit. I think that's what he did and I think he realized that he needed to take a step back and see what was going on. And if he didn't like it, then he can move on. I think they agreed to disagree. Like I said, could have been handled differently from a public relations standpoint on both sides. I think once the dust settles, everything will feel itself out and it should be alright."
If the locker room would welcome CM Punk back to WWE: "I don't see why not. He's a self-admitted jerk, first of all. And if you listen to his podcast, he didn't say that he was in a great mood the last few months that he was there. He admitted how grumpy he was and how much of a jerk he was, even more than he already is. I think we would welcome him back. I'm not one to hold too much grudges. I think everyone deserves a second chance; an opportunity to redeem themselves. I would welcome him back. I'm sure he would face some resentment, as far as the locker room is concerned. But guys get over that stuff pretty quick. I think if it was best for business, yeah, I would be open to it for sure."
Rollins also talked about NXT, his career, Crossfit, what he wants fans to think about him when he retires and more.