Ryback Addresses Past Issues With CM Punk In WWE
Ryback says he has moved on from his longstanding issues with CM Punk.
The former WWE Superstar recently addressed his relationship with Punk on social media, more than a decade after Punk made several critical comments about him during his infamous appearance on the Art of Wrestling podcast.
Despite their history, Ryback says he no longer has any bad blood toward the current WWE Champion.
“CM Punk. Is there any bad blood? No, I don’t hold onto any hate with that man,” Ryback said. “I’ve said what I needed to say on it. He said what he said on it, and it doesn’t make sense to hold onto that forever.
“That doesn’t mean we’ll ever be friends or work together. It doesn’t serve me to hold onto that hate or that anger.”
Ryback went on to say that he stands by his version of what happened between the two, but no longer sees any benefit in continuing to revisit their past problems.
“I’ve told the truth from the beginning on it,” he continued. “A lot of people love and support me on it. It doesn’t matter what people think. It’s all over with. People will rehash the past. It doesn’t serve me or benefit me, so I’m happy for him on everything. I’m happy he’s back.”
Ryback also offered some praise for Punk, noting that he believes the WWE Champion has gotten himself into some of the best physical shape of his career.
“I’ve learned in life it’s better to be happy for people or stay neutral on it because that controls our feelings,” Ryback said. “You’re choosing to get angry over something, right? So why am I? I’m happy for him.
“I think he (Punk) looks great, and I’m happy for him. He’s gotten in better shape. I’ve found in life, and you’ll hear me repeat this all the time, happiness is a choice, and hating is a choice.”
I’ve found in life, and you’ll hear me repeat this all the time, happiness is a choice, and hating is a choice.
We live in a world where far too many people choose to hate over things that don’t even involve them. And even when something does involve us and we feel we’ve been… pic.twitter.com/QJspqdngP4
— RYBACK (@Ryback) August 12, 2026