10 interesting backstage stories you probably didn’t know about CM Punk – Near-death experiences in WWE, offended The Undertaker

By Shruti Sadbhav

Modified Aug 22, 2021 04:53 GMT

CM Punk has had his fair share of controversies

#2 How CM Punk returned for WWE talk show

CM Punk and Renee Young loved working together on WWE Backstage

Once upon a time, WWE and CM Punk dismissed any plans of working together after the latter’s exit from the company. Therefore, it was surprising to see him return for WWE Backstage on FOX. Many don’t know that former WWE presenter Renee Young reached out to him despite not speaking in over seven years.

Renee Young, aka Renee Paquette, was excited when she first found out that CM Punk could return as a part of the project, and she insisted on convincing him at all costs. Both of them developed a great friendship that reflected well in their work together.

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#1 John Cena replaced CM Punk as Royal Rumble winner

CM Punk was initially supposed to win this match

Back in 2008, CM Punk was supposed to win the WWE Royal Rumble. However, the plans were changed when John Cena returned ahead of schedule. He had to take time off after suffering from a torn pectoral muscle. However, Cena ended up recovering earlier than expected and was ready to go into action. As a result, WWE decided to have him win the Royal Rumble instead of Punk.

"I was supposed to win!" CM Punk said. "I was supposed to win that Royal Rumble, then John Cena comes back after three months from a torn pec. Thanks a lot, John."

Cena made a huge return that night and eliminated Triple H to win Royal Rumble. If not for the last-minute change of plans, CM Punk would have headlined WrestleMania XXIV with a match against WWE Champion Randy Orton or World Heavyweight Champion Edge.

About the author

Shruti Sadbhav is a WWE writer at Sportskeeda Wrestling. With a triple major in Journalism, English Literature, and Psychology, she has always been drawn to writing. As an avid sports lover, writing about sports was the finest way to combine her passion with her prowess.

Whenever she writes, Shruti puts herself into the shoes of fans to see how she would appreciate an honest account of anything related to something she follows wholeheartedly with engaging and relevant information to cater to the readers' needs.

Shruti has seven years of experience. She previously worked as a content manager at Fox Sports Asia and as an assistant manager and digital marketer at Kickstart FC. Shruti previously worked in multiple roles in Sportskeeda, where she was a WWE features writer, editor, and content manager. She has over 40 million+ reads across all her writer profiles, giving her an immensely diverse audience across WWE and football.

When it comes to pro wrestling, Shruti does not particularly remember the first match she watched. However, she recalls accompanying her brother and getting hooked when she saw The Undertaker – a fascinating wrestler that she, like thousands of others, believed in.
Her views on pro wrestling evolved as she grew older and understood the intricacies of the business. This allows her to appreciate those who dedicate themselves to the craft and, once in a while, it does become what it has always been touted to be – magical. Her favorite wrestler is Finn Balor due to his persistence.

When she is not working as a writer, Shruti loves to read, enjoy a good cup of coffee, and let Manchester City dictate her weekend plans.

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Edited by Kaushik Das