Speaking to Sporting News, Adam Cole opened up about the return of CM Punk on WWE Backstage.
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Cole happened to be on the set when Punk came back and revealed that it was a complete surprise to him and discussed Punk’s impact on his own career:
When his music hit, I swear, I had no idea that he was coming out. Absolutely no idea. So when they played his music, my brain did not go CM Punk is going to walk through the door. I thought they played his song, like, just because, and all of us were going to say goodbye into the camera as CM Punk’s theme was playing. So I was like, “Oh, OK, that’s an interesting choice.” They’re playing “Cult of Personality.” So I randomly think of Kyle O’Reilly going to air guitar. Then he walks through the door and I’m like, “Oh, whoa! CM Punk is actually here.” By no means, and I think people take it this way, by no means was it, “Oh, cool, CM Punk is back and I’m going to do an air guitar.” In my brain, they’re just playing his song. I’m like, “OK, sweet,” still not thinking that he’s going to walk through the door. So, a very, very funny moment and I’m glad they captured the air guitar a little bit on camera.
Yeah, it was really cool. I’ve said countless times that CM Punk was a huge influence on me, especially in his early independent career, I remember watching him and being so captivated by him, more so than even people within WWE. His promo ability just blew me away, the way he carried himself. Just a massive fan of his because I take a lot of pride in delivering the importance of believability in promos and interviews. CM Punk was a guy that I studied big time. So, to be able to be there for his moment and get to chat with him for a little bit was really cool.
