Rob Van Dam Defends CM Punk Over Saudi Arabia Backlash

CM Punk has taken plenty of heat from fans for returning to WWE and working shows in Saudi Arabia after once blasting others for doing the same — but not everyone thinks he deserves the criticism.

WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam came to Punk’s defense during a recent episode of his 1 Of A Kind podcast, making it clear he doesn’t view Punk as a hypocrite.

“I don’t consider it hypocrisy unless it is done at the same time because people can grow, the perspective could change,” RVD explained. “If he said something five years ago and now he feels different about it then that’s not what a hypocrite is. We all grow, feel different.”

Van Dam pointed out the difference between changing your mind over time and flat-out two-faced behavior. He continued, “If he’s signing the contract, he’s on his way, he’s gonna go get big money in Saudi Arabia and at the same time he messages, ‘I f**in’ hate people that go to Saudi Arabia, they suck and then he goes,’ that’s different because it’s the same guy at the same time showing two different faces, talking out of two different orifices at the same time — that’s what a hypocrite is.”*

At the end of the day, CM Punk’s return to WWE and his decision to work those massive Saudi shows is still stirring debate — but Rob Van Dam isn’t losing sleep over it. Fans can argue all they want, but as far as RVD’s concerned, people change and the paychecks speak for themselves.