Originally published to the Nexstar Media Wire on October 1, 2024.

(NEXSTAR) – CM Punk is one of WWE’s most celebrated figures. Nearly a year ago, he made his mind-blowing return in his hometown of Chicago at the Survivor Series premium live event. In an exclusive interview, Punk opened up about his evolution, creative vision, and return to the WWE ring.

Since his last stint in WWE, which ended in early 2014, Punk has been on a journey. From UFC fighter to sports entertainment commentator to champion in an alternative organization, it’s a journey he said he has not regretted one bit. When asked what he would tell his younger self, Punk reflected on the importance of enjoying the ride despite the challenges along the way.

“That journey is what made me who I am,” he said. “I probably just tell [a younger Punk] ‘Oh, yeah, just wait, just try to sit back and enjoy it and not stress out about so many things, and everything’s going to wind up being okay.’”

Born Phil Brooks, CM Punk is famously straight edge, meaning he refrains from using alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs, gathered several like-minded WWE superstars in 2009 to form the Straight Edge Society. Together, Punk, Luke Gallows, Joey Mercury, and Serena took the cult-like stable to WWE Smackdown. When asked who from NXT might be a prime candidate to form a revival of the Straight Edge Society, Punk made it clear he would avoid rehashing old ideas but hinted that the performers he might choose to join him might not be part of WWE quite yet.

“I don’t want to beat a dead horse, so it would have to be some sort of a variation on the Straight Edge Society. Maybe something a little bit similar, maybe named different,” Punk said. “I think the number one with a bullet to be with me in some form of a stable would be Oba [Femi.]”

Punk, who returned to WWE after a well-publicized ten-year hiatus from the company, noted that the sports entertainment behemoth has significantly changed since he left. While not taking full credit for the transformation, he acknowledged that his influence has been felt.

“I can’t claim all the credit, but I do think you’d be pretty shortsighted to think that I didn’t maybe have a little something to do with it,” Punk said. “This place is 100% different. Whether [the changes are] my doing or not, I’m just happy they’re here, you know?”

Despite the spotlight and public scrutiny, Punk said he remains focused on his instincts rather than outside criticism.

“Regardless of what I do or say, people are going to get mad about it,” he said. “I’m secure enough to just focus on my instincts and what I think is the right thing to do.”

Looking ahead, the “Second City Saint” is scheduled to be the special guest referee on the first night of NXT on the CW Network in the hotly anticipated NXT Championship match pitting challenger Trick Williams against champion “All Ego” Ethan Page. For his part, Punk has a laser-like focus on his final encounter with Drew McIntyre inside Hell in a Cell at Bad Blood on Saturday.

Punk did, however, indulge a brief glimpse past Hell in a Cell to April and WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas, the very city where his infamous “pipe bomb” promo in 2011 shook the wrestling world.

“That’s poetry. That’s the universe putting WrestleMania in Las Vegas, where I cut the pipe bomb,” he said. “I promise you, it’s going to be fireworks because it’s CM Punk, and it’s WrestleMania, and it’s Las Vegas.”

NXT debuts Tuesday on the CW Network. WWE Bad Blood is live on Peacock Saturday at 5 p.m. Tickets go on sale for WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas on October 25.