Ryback Defends CM Punk Against Sellout Allegations After WWE Night of Champions

Former WWE Superstar Ryback’s issues with CM Punk are well known by now, since he’s gone after Punk for several years. However, it appears he actually defended CM Punk after people called him a sellout after Punk competed at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia.

The Big Guy took to Twitter and commented on an article by Brandon Thurstson where CM Punk was called out for being a hypocrite and working Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia.

Ryback said that even though he’s had problems with Punk in the past, he doesn’t see him as a sellout. Ryback explained that Punk came back to do what he loves and to earn a living, just like writers make money by posting articles that criticize others.

Ryback added that WWE is a worldwide business, and working there means dealing with tricky agreements, personal beliefs, and how the public sees you. According to Ryback, Punk’s apology wasn’t about giving up his values, but about realizing he handled things poorly in the past and hurt work relationships.

“I’ve had my issues with Punk, but I don’t see him as a sellout. He returned to do what he loves and to make money — much like you’re doing by writing critical think pieces about others for clicks. WWE is a global business, and working at that level means navigating complex deals, personal beliefs, and public perception. His apology wasn’t about abandoning values — it was about how he expressed them publicly in ways that hurt professional relationships.”

CM Punk’s history with Saudi Arabia is also well known thanks to his infamous “blood covered d***” remark but he actually ended up apologizing for that tweet during the Night of Champions kickoff show.

It’s rare to see Ryback stand up for CM Punk, but his words show just how complicated the world of global wrestling really is. In the end, Ryback said what he felt was right and CM Punk fans might see him in a new light now.