Why CM Punk Kept His Distance from Paul Heyman After WWE Exit

CM Punk famously left WWE in 2014, a time many fans considered one of the company’s lowest points. While Punk made his return at the 2023 Survivor Series Premium Live Event, he had little contact with people inside WWE before coming back. In fact, he has now admitted that he didn’t really have a relationship with Paul Heyman either.

While speaking to Jackie Redmond, CM Punk was asked if he had a relationship with Paul Heyman when he left WWE. CM Punk explained that he didn’t have much of a relationship with Paul Heyman after leaving WWE. He mentioned running into Paul once at LaGuardia Airport, but their talks were rare.

During that time, Punk was dealing with a lawsuit and other legal issues, so his lawyers told him to be very careful about what he said to anyone. Because of that, his relationships were tough, and his connection with Paul Heyman was no different.

“No, Paul was one of the guys we would talk to very intermittently. We actually ran into each other at LaGuardia Airport one time. Just backs to the wall, looking forward, having a conversation. You’ve got to understand, when I left here and there was a lawsuit and all kinds of really, really fun extracurricular stuff going on, I was advised by lawyers, ‘You’ve got to watch what you say to anybody because it could wind up facilitating its way back and being…’

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Anything you say can and will be used against you. 100%, so I was super guarded. It was a rough time for relationships back then, and Paul was kind of no exception.”

Heyman also believed that Punk had to go through hell in order for him to make his return to WWE back in 2023, something that resonated with many. Thankfully, Heyman and Punk have been in regular contact since Punk’s WWE return, but that doesn’t mean he will reveal what favor Heyman owes him just yet. Regardless, fans are happy Punk and Heyman have a relationship again and that’s all that matters at the moment.

What do you think about Punk and Heyman’s relationship? Should WWE explore their dynamic on-screen more often now? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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