CM Punk has revealed Triple H got rid of the script he was reading ahead of his WWE return promo after "freaking everybody" out.
Punk, real name Phil Brooks, made a shock return to WWE in his hometown of Chicago to close out the Survivor Series event in November 2023 after Randy Orton had just come back from a lengthy injury lay-off.
He had been away from the company for nearly a decade following a bitter exit but water was moved under the bridge and a contract was signed following positive conversations with Paul 'Triple H' Levesque, now head of creative and chief content officer.
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The two butted heads towards the end of Punk's first stint in the company, where Levesque began to transition into an office position away from the ring.
Earlier this year, the 14-time champion put their disagreements down to "poor communication" and claimed that Punk "saw me as the enemy".
They have since enjoyed collaborating on a stunning, generational second run for Punk, who battles Gunther for the WWE world heavyweight championship at SummerSlam next month.
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The duo's relationship is captured in the upcoming WWE Unreal documentary, which lifts the curtain on the professional wrestling business with unrivalled backstage access showing how matches and shows are put together.
CM Punk 'freaked' people out backstage days after WWE return
While promoting the series an exclusive interview with SPORTbible, Punk opened up about his rapport with Triple H and recalled him tossing out a piece of paper with words he was rehearsing for his all-important comeback speech on Raw - reminding him exactly who he is before he went out and spoke to the people.
"Nothing’s changed, we hate each other!" Punk joked when asked about his relationship with his boss.
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"No, I look at him and he’s the manager of the football club.
"I remember when I came back, talking about people going over their time - I come back and I s*** all over Randy’s moment at Survivor Series.
“Randy’s been gone, he’s rehabbed and he’s got a new spine. Here’s CM Punk to just step all over it.
“The following week he’s got a match with Dom and they go over on their time and it drastically cuts my promo time.
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“I’m just laughing about it, thinking whatever I don’t get to say this week, I’ll say next week.
“I have a piece of paper in my hand with everything I was supposed to say and I keep looking at it. Then Triple H comes over and goes, ‘What are you doing man, you’re freaking everybody out?’.
“I go, ‘What do you mean?’ and he says, ‘Nobody here has ever seen you hold a script in your hand and read it like you’re not going to go out there and say whatever the hell you want'.
“I was just like, ‘Oh, well I’m kind of new around here so I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes’.
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“He grabbed the piece of paper, he crumpled it up and he threw it. He’s like, ‘You’re CM Punk, just go out there and talk to the people’.
“That’s what I needed to hear. I was trying to move in a certain way and he was like, ‘No, you haven’t got to do that - just go be you that’s why you’re here’.
"That’s why he’s great in the position he’s in because he’s the manager."
He added: “He tells you what you need to hear before you get in the batteries box. The relationship couldn’t be better, I’m looking to f*** it up somehow and crash out any moment! Just kidding.”
Punk is one of a whole host of talents who Triple H is therefore to calm. His leadership qualities are highlighted in WWE Unreal, with his motivational chats and constant praise for former women's champion Rhea Ripley allowing her to get in the right frame of mind to steal the show.
Aussie Ripley joined WWE in 2017 and happily admits that she owes a great deal to Triple H for the faith he placed in her.
"He’s been a massive part of my career," Ripley explained.
"My career wouldn’t be anything if it wasn’t for him believing in me and being there every step of the way.
“In NXT I wasn’t supposed to get the push that I got but he heard the crowd and he reacted to that. He changed the entire trajectory of my career. It’s really nice to have a boss that is like a father figure and always wants the best for you whether it’s your career or your personal health.
“It’s lovely having him there and he definitely helps me in massive situation.
“Even before Evolution the other day, he gave me a massive pep talk because I’ve been in this weird situation lately where I haven’t been able to switch on properly.
“He can see that because he’s known me so well for so long now. Him just coming over and reminding me who the hell I am, it really helped me go out there and put on the match with Iyo [Sky].
“I’ve got nothing but good things to say.”
WWE Unreal starring CM Punk and Rhea Ripley premieres on Netflix on 29 July
Josh Lawless