At WWE’s Saudi Arabia event, CM Punk’s unexpected apology sparked mixed reactions, with some fans accusing him of hypocrisy, but wrestling icon Booker T offers a different perspective. On a recent episode of his podcast Hall of Fame, Booker T highlighted Punk’s viral apologies related to his controversial 2019 tweets condemning WWE’s ties with Saudi Arabia.
Some viewers responded via SuperChat, where Booker, also a WWE Hall of Famer, suggested that maturity played a big role in Punk’s change of heart. Booker pointed out that Punk’s apologies likely extended beyond just the Saudi audience.
"I’m sure he’s done that, maybe even apologized to Miz when he came back to the office," Booker remarked.
He went on to say that the CM Punk fans see now is very different from the one who left WWE years ago.
"The Punk who left and the Punk who’s back—those are two different guys. I really believe that," Booker said.
For Booker, it’s important to acknowledge mistakes and grow from them.
"If you can admit when you’ve slipped up and apologize—especially if what you said was impulsive and you faced backlash—then you’re moving forward," he added.
Back in 2019, Punk’s tweet criticized WWE’s Saudi Arabia event, echoing fan concerns about the country’s human rights record. Yet, his surprise return and apology at the latest Saudi event led some to accuse him of selling out.
Booker, however, framed this as personal growth, with a knowing grin suggesting that the lucrative Saudi gig didn’t hurt either.
Fan Take: This moment highlights the evolving nature of wrestler personas and the complex relationship between ethics and business in WWE. For fans, it’s a reminder that behind the wrestling persona, real people are capable of change, which could influence how the sport balances integrity with entertainment.
