Corey Graves says he and CM Punk have cleared the air.
In the lead up to CM Punk’s momental return to WWE at Survivor Series last November, those in the company couldn’t avoid speculation about his future. Most were asked whether they’d welcome the 45-year-old back into the WWE, though, while he did say he’d be happy to have Punk back, eyebrows were raised when Corey Graves admitted to a rift in the once strong friendship between he and The Second City Saint. However, it now seems as if the air has been cleared between the Straight Edge Star and the SmackDown commentator.
Speaking to Sportskeeda Wrestling, Corey Graves was pleased to confirm that everything is now ‘water under the bridge’ between himself and CM Punk while talking about who he’d like to step back into the ring with now that he’s medically clear.
“I am proud to report that it’s all water under the bridge (with CM Punk). It was actually at the Royal Rumble, I finally had the chance in-person — I bumped into him briefly the night of Survivor Series a bit backstage but it was chaotic, he had just come back, everything was at 11 at the moment. So, the day of the Royal Rumble, it’s at Tropicana Field, I actually got to pull him aside for a few minutes and we cleared the air. Had a nice, long chat, we both apologized for some things over the years and realized this is where we both belong, this is where we both wanna be and yeah, it’s been a really exciting time for me personally to be able to rekindle a friendship that meant so much to me over the years and I am truly as excited to have Punk back here under the WWE banner as just about anybody. I would love to step in the ring with Seth (Rollins) again. I mean, Seth was one of my favorite opponents in FCW and in NXT when we were first coming up. I would love to step in the ring with Punk again. It’s been many, many years and as far as my personal favorite these days, I’m a big GUNTHER fan. I’m in no hurry, no hurry! To step inside the ring with The Ring General (he laughed).”
-Corey Graves
Graves was then asked for an update on his wife Carmella’s WWE status, having not appeared for the company since March 2023. He revealed that she is doing well and is excited to dip her toe back in the water when she makes some appearances over WrestleMania weekend.
“She (Carmella) is magnificent. She is thriving in her motherhood era. It’s Carmella’s first. Our son Dimitri, he’s just over four months old, he is a giant. He’s got the genes to be the next WWE superstar. But she’s doing fantastic. She’ll actually be around. She has a few appearances scheduled WrestleMania weekend which is the first time she’ll be back in the fold since stepping away to be pregnant. So she’s excited to dip her toe back into the water. It’s a major life adjustment. Motherhood and WWE sometimes can be tricky to juggle both simultaneously…”
-Corey Graves
While he remains on the sidelines, Punk will step into the shoes of Graves as he fills the role as a WWE commentator during Seth Rollins’ World Heavyweight Championship defence against Drew McIntyre on WrestleMania 40.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on the dynamic between CM Punk and Corey Graves as soon as we hear more.
H/T to POST Wrestling for the transcription.
