CM Punk Explains Why He Isn’t Right Guy To Promote ‘WWE UNREAL’ On Netflix, Talks Dealing With Cameras Backstage
CM Punk has weighed in on the upcoming WWE: Unreal series set to premiere on Netflix later this month, offering a candid perspective on the docuseries that has already sparked buzz for its behind-the-scenes access to WWE.
βThe Best in the Worldβ appeared on Unsportsmanlike with Evan, Canty and Michelle on ESPN Radio on Wednesday to discuss the show, which debuts on July 29 and has drawn attention due to how much it reportedly pulls back the curtain on the inner workings of WWE.
βIβm probably the wrong guy to put on this show to try to talk it up,β Punk admitted. βItβs not that Iβm so much against it, itβs that my entire existence in my profession, professional wrestling, youβre taught and youβre brought up and if youβre old school, you protect the business. Itβs always been that way.β
Punk went on to reflect on how long the public has known that wrestling is predetermined, while also drawing a line between exposing the business and storytelling within it.
βI feel like since the 20s or 30s, everybody knew wrestling was predetermined. They talk about how they didnβt know and they talk about how in the 80s, we just kind of blew it wide open and now everybodyβs exposing the business and this and that. I think if youβre living under a rock, you donβt know, but most people do know.β
He then compared WWE: Unreal to Hard Knocks, the long-running NFL docuseries that gives fans an inside look at training camps and team dynamics.
βYouβre in the room, youβre seeing the special teams, youβre seeing the Xs and the Os, and youβre seeing the relationships between the coaches and the players and their families and all that, and thatβs sort of what weβre doing. Weβre following suit in a way. Itβs just really strange, for me, at least, because Iβve always been taught you protect the business.β
Later in the interview, Punk offered a humorous take on the challenges of navigating the constant filming backstage for the series.
βI was never sure when they were filming, what they were filming, whoβs micβd up. You could probably make a really good blooper reel of me looking directly down the lens of the camera going, what are you doing? Get out, donβt film this.β
WWE: Unreal hits Netflix on July 29, 2025.
From the boardroom to the bell⦠and everything in between. New trailer for #WWEUnreal drops July 15. @netflix pic.twitter.com/9TEPdNtOfU
β Triple H (@TripleH) July 9, 2025
This will be the WWE like you’ve never seen before.
WWE: Unreal trailer drops July 15. pic.twitter.com/4123VCrmDy
β Netflix Sports (@netflixsports) July 9, 2025