CM Punk’s Close Friend Told Him He’s a Lot Like Triple H Before His WWE Comeback

CM Punk is very loyal, and his career-long relationship with Ace Steel proves that. He made sure Steel had a job when he returned to AEW, and although Steel didn’t follow Punk to WWE, the Second City Saint’s trainer is very happy that he made that return.

CM Punk’s return to WWE has been a major storyline since he made his surprising comeback at Survivor Series in November 2023. After nearly a decade away from the company, Punk has often spoken about the cultural shift within WWE, noting how things have changed since his first stint with the company. Much of that shift has been attributed to Triple H, with whom Punk had famously clashed during his initial run. Triple H, now a key figure in WWE’s creative process, has also opened up about working with Punk and how both have contributed to shaping WWE’s current environment.

Punk’s long-time friend and trainer, Ace Steel, recently discussed Punk’s WWE return on the Huge Pop podcast, sharing insight into how Punk has embraced his return to the business he once stepped away from. Steel shared that Punk has found a new sense of joy in his work and is thriving in WWE’s new culture.

“He’s in a great place. He’s in a great place and you can see it. He’s enjoying everything that he’s doing. He came to my school just because he wanted to. He came back to, virtually, where he started. It’s not the same location, but the same grassroots where he came from. When I asked him who he wanted to be in there with he said, ‘Bring your students. Bring me your people.’ I didn’t tell them he was coming. They were shocked as could be when they walked in. I just said, ‘Hey, we have extra practice this week. I think you guys should make it,’ so they came. Extra training day, they came in, and they were all stunned.”

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Ace Steel explained that CM Punk has a deep desire to give back to the industry, a reflection of how he was mentored by wrestling legends such as Eddie Guerrero, Harley Race, and Raven. Now, Punk is stepping into that role for the next generation of wrestlers.

“He’s in such a great place, and he wants to be the guy who gives back to basically all these kids who watched him growing up. He’s having the time of his life. This is what it should be. The company is what it should be. I told him this before he came back because I had a relationship with Hunter being at NXT because Hunter ran NXT. I said, ‘[Hunter] came in every day and would shake my hand.’ I was sitting at the table. ‘How are you?’ ‘Hey. How are you?’ It wasn’t like, ‘I’m going to call him Sir.’ You know how it is being around Vince (McMahon). You’re on pins and needles. Hunter is not that way.”

Ace Steel highlighted how CM Punk’s attitude toward the business has shifted over the years. Initially, Punk and Triple H clashed due to their similar views on wrestling, but now, the two have found common ground, both working toward the betterment of the industry.

“Before he went back, I was like, ‘I think you guys are more alike than you probably would like to admit.’ He will now admit that because of the way they feel about this industry. Hunter said that, too. ‘We were exactly alike, just butting heads on a lot of different things.’ They are in tune and aligned to make this industry better. Punk is loving all of it. When he comes to visit me and says, ‘The kids ask me to come down to the Performance Center.’ I said, ‘I know what you’re doing. I see you all the time. You’re having fun.'”

According to Steel, Punk’s approach to his return has been about more than just business. He’s found a renewed love for wrestling, rekindling the passion that first brought him into the business. Punk has also been more involved in mentoring younger talent and being an active presence in the locker room.

“He’s changing in the locker room. He doesn’t want an extra locker room or to sit apart from everybody. He wants to be in the mix and answering questions. It’s great for him. I said this before when he was out of wrestling, he loves wrestling. He loved wrestling more when we were traveling roads, maybe $40 or $50, and making long trips because that was it.”

As Punk navigates this new chapter in WWE, it’s clear that his return is not just about winning titles, but about making a meaningful impact on the company and the next generation of stars. While he may be treating WWE like a business on-screen, behind the scenes, Punk’s passion for wrestling has never been more evident.

We will also have to see what Ace Steel does next. He went to TNA Wrestling after his AEW exit, but his relationship with CM Punk has obviously not gone away.

What’s your take on Ace Steel’s assumption about CM Punk? Do you think that he is a lot like Triple H after all? Let us know what you think in the comments section!