CM Punk Talks AJ Lee’s Reaction to UFC Signing, Responds to Criticism That He’s Taking the Spot of Deserving Fighters, Does He Still Aspire to Headline WMania?

December 10, 2014

cm punk CM Punk, who recently announced he has signed with UFC, was recently interviewed by Kenny Herzog of Rolling Stone, and the following are some interview highlights:

On His Wife AJ Lee’s Reaction to News of Him Signing with UFC:

“After I spoke with Dana and Lorenzo, that’s when it got serious and that’s when I brought it to her attention. Trust me, whatever nerves I’m gonna have stepping into the Octagon will pale in comparison to the nerves I had when I had to bring this up to my wife. I was honestly terrified. I was like, ‘She’s gonna shut it down, and I’m gonna have to figure out a way to smooth it over so I can do this, because I don’t take no for an answer, she doesn’t take no for an answer, and this is something I really wanna do.’ Right off the bat she recognized that. She’s been around me long enough to know that, ever since the first day I met her, this is something I talked about doing, and she’s not somebody that’s gonna step in front of her husband trying to accomplish something that he dreamed about.”

On People Who Think He is Taking a Spot Away from Deserving Fighters:

“I’m not gonna sit here and make bold predictions about first-round head kicks and beating ranked opponents. This is about me and my journey to get there. I understand other peoples’ point of view about, ‘Oh, there’s great fighters out there like Ben Askren.’ My only point on that is, ‘Don’t be mad at me, Ben. Be mad at [UFC President] Dana [White].’ I’m sure Ben Askren’s a nice guy. If he’s mad at me, I understand. But if the Blackhawks came to me before Dana and Lorenzo did and were like, ‘We’re gonna put you in goal,’ I’d be like, ‘That’s great. I played a little hockey when I was a kid.’ You know what I mean? I’m not gonna deny myself some opportunity because somebody on Twitter thinks I shouldn’t have it.”

When asked if he is still “pining” to be in the main event at WrestleMania:

“No. Absolutely Not.”

Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.

Nick attended New York University and graduated in 2001 with a degree in Drama.

Nick first entered the internet wrestling community back in 2004 when he became the co-host of The Voice of Wrestling Radio Show. From there, Nick made the transition from radio personality to editor when he began working with WrestleZone in 2008.

Nick is a member of two Off-Broadway theatre companies, Another Urban Riff, and the Drama Desk Award winning Godlight Theatre Company. Nick has appeared in over a dozen Off-Broadway plays since he moved to New York City, and has shot several short and feature length films. In 2010, he completed principle photography on a film titled "How to Score Your Life," which also features TNA Knockout ODB.

Inspiration in his life has come from many people including his family, Woody Allen, Steven Spielberg, Jack Nicholson, The Beatles, and of course, Lassie.