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It has been a while since WWE Backstage was canceled by FS1. The talk show hosted by Renee Young had a brief run and will mostly be remembered by fans for CM Punk's run with the show as an analyst and special contributor.
Punk made his way to WWE Backstage on November 12, 2019, and made occasional appearances on the show until it finally got canceled. Punk's first appearance raised the hopes of many fans who had been wanting to see him back in a WWE ring. Although Punk didn't return as a performer, he did have a bunch of social media feuds with WWE Superstars, and also had praise for several others. While being under contract with FS1, Punk regularly shared his views on WWE's weekly product on WWE Backstage, plus via his social media handles.
In the following list, we will take a look at the 3 WWE Superstars that CM Punk targeted during his WWE Backstage stint, on the show as well as on social media, and 3 WWE Superstars that he publicly praised.
#6 Roman Reigns (CM Punk targeted)
The coronavirus pandemic made sure that WWE wouldn't get to go ahead with its plans to present WrestleMania 36 out of the Raymond James Stadium. The company announced a change of plans on the road to WrestleMania, and it was revealed that The Show of Shows would be taking place inside the WWE Performance Center for the first time in history.
With WWE confirming that there wouldn't be an audience for WrestleMania this year, Punk took to Twitter and had an amusing response to the decision. He referred to the fact that the WWE Universe still chants his name during weekly shows and PPVs, and also took a jibe at Roman Reigns by stating that WWE's decision would make sure that The Big Dog doesn't get booed this time around. Eventually, Reigns would back out of his WrestleMania match with Goldberg, with Braun Strowman replacing him and going on to become Universal Champion.
#5 Becky Lynch (CM Punk praised)
Back in January, the WWE Universe got to witness both CM Punk and Becky Lynch on the same show, as the latter was a guest on WWE Backstage. The Man and Punk discussed on various topics, and Punk had nothing but praise for the RAW Women's Champion. At one point during the show, Punk even went as far as comparing Lynch to WWE Hall of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin.
He recalled Becky Lynch getting bloodied by Nia Jax on an episode of RAW back in 2018, and compared the iconic still with that of Stone Cold, from WrestleMania 13. Austin refused to quit his match against Bret Hart, as blood dripped down his face, and being compared to him in such a manner by CM Punk himself was certainly a special moment for Lynch.
Many fans expected the duo to talk about Seth Rollins, with whom Punk had feuded on social media a short while ago. This didn't happen though, but watching Becky and Punk discuss various topics was alone worth it for their fans.
#4 The Miz (CM Punk targeted)
Former WWE Champion The Miz was a guest on WWE Backstage back in January. Nothing much of note happened throughout the episode, but The Miz took a slight jibe at CM Punk as the show was about to come to a close. He stated that it was the best WWE Backstage episode ever, and added that he's sorry he didn't "change the culture". This was a reference to the comment Punk made during his surprising first appearance on the show back in November.
" I feel like this was the best WWE Backstage ever. Name one that was better. Sorry, sorry I didn't change the culture, my bad, my bad."
Punk took major offense to the comment and posted a profanity-filled tweet bashing The Miz and WWE. The former WWE Superstar dubbed him as a 'dork', and also took a shot at WWE's partnership with Saudi Arabia. Punk ended up deleting the tweet soon after. Many fans weren't happy with Punk's over the top reaction and accused him of being salty that he never headlined a WrestleMania while The Miz did.
#3 Randy Orton (CM Punk praised)
CM Punk and Randy Orton crossed paths multiple times back when the former was an active WWE Superstar. Soon after Orton kicked off his feud with WWE Hall of Famer Edge, Punk hinted that he is excited to see the angle. Punk also dubbed Orton as being better than everyone when he is motivated.
“A motivated Randy… Book, tell me, am I wrong? Is there anybody better? I think Randy – and I think all of us can – we can take our eye off the ball, we can get complacent. But when he’s dialled in and he has something he can really sink his teeth into and something that motivates him, I don’t think there’s anybody better.”
Orton and Punk's most memorable feud came back in 2011, on the road to WrestleMania 27. Punk had become the leader of The Nexus and was wreaking havoc on the main roster week after week. The duo soon engaged in a rivalry that culminated in a blockbuster match at The Grandest Stage Of Them All. In the end, Punk lost the match to Orton. Punk's time to shine would come soon though, as he was mere months away from delivering the Pipebomb on WWE RAW.
#2 Seth Rollins (CM Punk targeted)
As soon as CM Punk made his first appearance on WWE Backstage, it took the wrestling world by storm and speculation began running wild on social media. Several WWE Superstars reacted to the appearance, but Seth Rollins took it a bit too far and immediately challenged Punk to a fight. This kicked off an intense social media feud between the two, with Punk verbally destroying Rollins on WWE Backstage and telling him to stop tweeting.
This back and forth led to many believing that it could be WWE's way to set up a feud between the two and that it could lead to a WrestleMania match, but nothing of that sort happened. Rollins eventually challenged Punk to a match at 'Mania, but the latter hadn't come back to lace up his boots.
The bottom line is, wherever whenever he wants to do the thing, if he wants to man up and do it - I’m there. For me, the only place this match happens is WrestleMania in the main event, because that’s the only reason I’m picking a fight with him.
WWE Backstage is history, and we are not sure where CM Punk goes from here. Fans would wait anxiously for his every appearance on the show. Hopefully, he returns to the world of pro-wrestling again someday, in some capacity.
#1 Brock Lesnar (CM Punk praised)
Mere weeks after CM Punk made his way to WWE Backstage, WWE Champion Brock Lesnar faced Rey Mysterio at Survivor Series 2019. Punk had a lot to discuss the upcoming match on an edition of WWE Backstage. The former WWE Champion had nothing but praise for Brock Lesnar, as well as Rey Mysterio.
Punk stated that when The Beast gets motivated, he is bound to give an incredible performance. CM Punk seems to be a big fan of Brock Lesnar, as he had nothing but praise for him months later during an ESPN interview as well. Punk dubbed Lesnar as being a sweetheart and recalled him texting Punk and offering help when he decided to compete in MMA.
Lesnar went on to defeat Mysterio at Survivor Series. He held the title belt for several more months and kicked off a rivalry with Drew McIntyre on the road to WrestleMania 36. Lesnar finally lost the belt to McIntyre at The Show of Shows, after managing to keep it on his shoulder for months on end.
