With WWE NXT Roadblock just over and NXT Stand & Deliver approaching, fans are buzzed about the developmental stage of the WWE. This recent week, the reason for that buzz was the unannounced presence of CM Punk on the March 12, 2024, edition of NXT, to everyone’s surprise. To add even more buzz, Booker T recently revealed that he almost had an altercation with Punk backstage. Here is everything you need to know.
Punk is currently on the road to recovery after his tricep injury at the Royal Rumble. Unlike his first appearance on NXT, the Chicago-based star kept a low profile. This led to an air of anticipation among everyone at NXT. And thanks to pictures that circulated online, fans became privy to this exciting tidbit. However, what didn’t gain as much traction was the almost altercation Punk got into with NXT announcer and WWE Legend Booker T. Until now.
On a recent episode of the Hall of Fame podcast with co-host Brad Gilmore, Booker hinted at this almost altercation. The Hall of Famer said, “Me and CM Punk almost got into it at NXT this week. We’ll talk about it later.” Unfortunately for the listeners, the WWE legend refused to divulge additional details and remarked to his host that they would talk about it off-air.
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This immediately led to fans remembering the backstage altercation Punk had with multiple stars in AEW. That time around, the altercation led to Punk being terminated from the company, resulting in his return to the WWE. What the almost-fight was and what went down isn’t clear, but fans have their own theories. The main one making the rounds is that this was work-related, that this is part of some story the WWE is working on.
The main reason followers think that is because Booker’s team uploaded this specific part on YouTube. This contradicts Booker saying, “I don’t want to put it out there because they’re gonna pick it up and run with it.” While Punk has gained a reputation for resorting to his fists to resolve conflicts backstage, and Booker is someone who has nothing to lose, this almost-altercation could’ve gone down differently. That’s considering that the two have had issues in the past.
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Booker T and CM Punk have had on-and-off beef for years
On the Being The Elite = Bullet Club No More episode of Talk is Jericho, posted in 2018, Cody Rhodes touched upon this beef. According to Rhodes, “There was one meeting where Booker T was in the room, and Punk hit the ‘As the locker room leader.’” Being the locker leader has been an issue backstage in the WWE for years. Rhodes continued, “Booker literally threw his trash on the floor.”
However, the Hall of Famer cleared things up in Episode 185 of Heated Conversations: Hosted By Booker T. He talked about the story Rhodes narrated and claimed it was wrong. According to Booker, the issue was regarding people having their stuff stolen in the locker room. Punk took it upon himself to address this issue. Booker said, “Then, CM Punk comes in and says, ‘If I find out who’s doing it, I’m gonna kick the sun of a gun’s behind.’ He had some explicit words in there.” The former King of The Ring explained that he felt Punk didn’t handle the situation well.
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This would not be the first time Booker has changed his thoughts on Punk. When Punk debuted on AEW, Booker asked what a guy like Punk, who was fired from the WWE, brought to AEW. However, as soon as he was back in the WWE, Booker said it was refreshing to have him. That being said, what do you make of the current situation? Tell us in the comments!
