Billy Corgan admits that he can’t pay CM Punk what he deserves. However, he says Punk would have a lot of fun in NWA.
Fans continue to speculate about CM Punk’s future in the aftermath of his departure from AEW. Billy Corgan, the owner of the NWA, was asked about their interest in him, during an appearance on Mat Men with Andrew Zarian. Corgan explained that he has known CM Punk for a long time. He then commented on potentially bringing Punk into NWA. (H/t Jeremy Lambert of Fightful for the transcription)
“Many people behind the scenes have asked me, ‘should we make a play for Punk? Have you reached out to Punk?’ The answer, in terms of reaching out, is no. I respect him a lot. He deserves top money. He’s a top star. That sounds almost self-defeating, ‘you’re almost admitting that you wouldn’t want him.’ No, trust me, the NWA would go hand over fist to have Phil walk through the door and be part of the NWA, even for a pay-per-view. What I would say to Phil, and I’m not trying to use this as an open forum, I’m saying to you what I would say to Phil, and again, I have not reached out and I certainly know how to get in touch with him.
“What I could say to him is, he would have a lot of fun in the NWA. I think Phil, the person, loves professional wrestling. He’s had his public confrontation….I’m very similar, I got sued by a record company for $150 million. I eventually made a deal with them and continued working for them. I’ve had massive battles behind the scenes with every segment of the record and touring business, some of which aren’t public. I have a reputation in rock n roll, behind the scenes. If Phil, the person has a rep with whoever, he doesn’t have that rep with me because I feel I understand where he’s coming from.”
Billy Corgan To CM Punk: You Want To Have Some Fun, Come Have Fun In NWA
Billy Corgan went on to highlight CM Punk’s love for professional wrestling. He stated that his only appeal to Punk would be that if he wanted to have some fun, he should come do so in NWA.
“That man loves professional wrestling,” Billy Corgan said. “He may not love the professional wrestling business, but he loves professional wrestling. My only appeal to Punk would be, if you want to have some fun, I can’t pay you what you’re worth, but if you want to have some fun, come have some fun in the NWA. We’ll kick some ass, we’ll have some laughs, and I’ll buy you a vegan sandwich.”
“I’m a rockstar, I’ve been a rockstar for over 30 years. There are moments in my life, where I’ve played Madison Square Garden. Sold it out, I’ve done it. There is no argument, but there are times where you’ve been there and done that, like Phil has, where you need to go back to the ground and say, ‘How did I get here, where this thing that I love doesn’t feel like the thing I love? Where it’s gotten so twisted and turned around, and somehow, I’m the bad guy on something I don’t feel like I’m the bad guy in.’ I’m not trying to get in the middle of what happened. I wasn’t there, but I do understand the man’s heart, I feel. I’m not his friend, I wouldn’t claim to be his friend. But I would like to see him, whether it’s with the NWA, or any other promotion, that he recaptures his smile. He deserves that. The business should rally around guys like Punk because the business benefits from stars.”
Billy Corgan Says CM Punk Belongs In Wrestling
Billy Corgan then shared his belief that CM Punk belongs in the wrestling business. He suggested that Punk could work behind the scenes if he doesn’t want to be in front of the camera for a while.
“Punk belongs in this business, he’s a star, he needs to be treated like a star,” he said. “I don’t think anybody deserves to be treated like a primadonna, including myself. But there has to be a way to balance those forces where the guy who loves professional wrestling can do what he loves to do, even if it’s behind the scenes. Maybe he doesn’t work in front of the camera for a while.”
For now, fans will have to wait and see what CM Punk’s future holds. WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available.
NWA will present NWA SAMHAIN on October 28. WrestleZone will have coverage of the show as it airs.
