Finn Balor says his experience working with CM Punk after Punk’s WWE reappearance was entirely different from what he had been led to expect.
Before the bout, however, Balor admitted he had heard plenty of negative stories about Punk. “I’ll go on the record as saying I’d heard horror stories about Punk being this a**hole, being difficult to deal with, being a large-headed guy that no one wants to work with.”
Speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Balor reflected on his career and named his clash against Punk in Belfast as one of the defining moments of his time in WWE.
Based on Balor, the reality couldn’t have been more different. “When he came back to WWE, it could not have been the opposite. I met this guy who was humble, polite, wanted to work with people.”
Balor on top of that let slip that he feels the bout only happened because Punk personally requested it. “I’m pretty sure he went to the office and conveyed he wanted this match. Interestingly enough, i think it came from Punk.”, i don’t think it came from the office.
The bout took place in Belfast in front of approximately 25 members of Balor’s family. Just one day after his mother’s birthday, making it an in particular meaningful experience. “Sometimes you think you’ve done it all, and it’s never gonna get better, and then it somehow did.”
Balor followed up by saying that he is of the opinion that the battle carried similar emotional significance for Punk. “I think it meant as much to him in Chicago as it did to me in Belfast.”