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AJ Styles on CM Punk's WWE return: I was expecting a problem, I was wrong

Posted: Apr 5th 2024 By: Joseph Currier

AJ Styles would like to share the ring with CM Punk in WWE.

During a WrestleMania week interview with The Ringer Wrestling Show, Styles was asked how he felt when Punk returned to WWE last November. Styles - who hasn't gotten along with Punk in the past - assumed there would be a problem. But that hasn't been the case. Styles thinks Punk looks happy to be in WWE and looks like someone he wants to wrestle:

I mean, if you know anything about AJ Styles and CM Punk, you would know that we really don’t care for each other. But if you want me to ruin everything that you think you know, I can. Past performance predicts future behavior, right? Some over at AEW are my best friends - love ‘em, trust ‘em, know ‘em. And I was expecting a problem when [Punk] came here - and I was wrong. The guy looks like he’s happy to be here. He looks like a guy that I’d want to step in the ring with and tear the house down with.

The personal animosity between Styles and Punk dates back to the 2000s. They were members of the ROH roster together until Styles departed the promotion in 2004 when TNA-contracted talent were pulled from wrestling at ROH events.

In 2020, Styles said that he did not respect Punk and another match between them would never happen. Punk had called Styles out on social media in June of that year for staying silent about issues of racial injustice in the United States.

Styles and Punk have not wrestled each other since 2004.

Punk is currently out of action due to a torn triceps that he suffered at the Royal Rumble. Before the injury, he was scheduled to challenge Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40.

Styles vs. LA Knight is taking place at night two of WrestleMania 40 this Sunday (April 7).