Weighing in on the recent discourse surrounding CM Punk’s actions in Saudi Arabia, veteran commentator Jim Ross has offered a defense of the wrestler, labeling the controversy as entirely “overthought.” The comments address the backlash following Punk’s public apology during the Night of Champions event on June 28.
Speaking on his Grilling JR podcast, Ross shared his perspective on the situation. He emphasized his support for Punk, whom he considers a good friend, and suggested that the controversy is an inherent part of Punk’s appeal. Ross also expressed his professional admiration, stating he still wished Punk were a part of the AEW roster.
“It’s overthought. Overthought. And you know, I know that Punk’s heart is in the right place. He’s controversial, that’s why he’s so fun to follow. Phil’s a good friend of mine. I am a full-on supporter of his work, yes. I really am. I still wish he was at AEW, quite frankly. He adds a lot to any presentation that he’s involved in. So I think we’re overthinking it a little bit, quite honestly, and it kind of gets a little bit— I don’t know— gets a little bit overthought, as I said. Just take it easy. It’s supposed to be wrestling. It’s supposed to be fun. It’s supposed to be entertaining. That’s what I’ve always thought.”
The controversy stems from an apology CM Punk issued during the kickoff show for his past criticisms of WWE’s relationship with Saudi Arabia. This public statement was met with a mixed response from the live audience and generated significant debate online regarding its sincerity.
Ross is not the only industry figure to comment on the matter. Both Rob Van Dam and Ryback have also spoken in defense of Punk’s decision to perform in the country, suggesting that the situation is more nuanced than many critics acknowledge.
At the Night of Champions event in Riyadh, Punk faced John Cena in the main event for the Undisputed WWE Championship. The match was a cornerstone of the premium live event and marked the first singles encounter between the two rivals in over a decade.
