The WWE has released a statement in reaction to former Superstar CM Punk revealing what led to his WWE departure and ripping on the company's medical tactics.
Punk, who left the WWE in January and was mum on the circumstances following his departure, finally told his side of the story on Colt Cabana's Art of Wrestling podcast and part of his reasons for his frustration with the company stem from the way the organization handled his concussion protocol.
Punk noted that he had a concussion and felt pressured by the WWE to work hurt, which eventually pushed him to leave.
"I got a concussion in the Royal Rumble," Punk said, referring to the 2014 bout, which was his last in the WWE, according to Wrestlingheadlines.com. "It's pretty god d--n obvious. I knew I had a concussion. Everyone knew I had a concussion. And they were like we want you to take this test and I said your test is bulls--t. I took the test while texting you [Colt Cabana] and listening to my headphones and I 'passed' with flying colors.
"But then they were like we want you to go to the ring and run the ropes. And I was like but I just passed your test and they were like yeah, but we still think you have a concussion. I was like so your test is worthless. I'm not going out in the f---ing ring like a two-week rookie to run the ropes in front of everybody. Let's just call it [a concussion] now."
The WWE then released a statement to Yahoo Sports addressing Punk's comments.
"WWE takes the health and wellness of its talent very seriously and has a comprehensive Talent Wellness Program that is led by one of the most well-respected physicians in the country, Dr. Joseph Maroon," the statement reads.
Punk also recalled being pressured to work upon his return from elbow surgery as well.
"I remember when I was supposed to go back to Birmingham and get cleared before I came back to wrestle from my elbow," he said. "One day I was just at TV and it was the same thing ... I'll probably just cut a promo and then Michael Hayes comes up to me and goes, 'Alright, you're working so and so,' and I was like no I'm not.
"I just got this laser eye surgery and I don't want anyone f--k up my eyes. And he's like you really should have told somebody, and I was like told them what ... my elbow! And he goes 'no, I just checked and they said you're cleared.' I was like I haven't even gone to Birmingham to see Dr. [James] Andrews yet, what do you mean I'm cleared? I talked to Dr. [Chris] Amann and Dr. Amann was like I called him [Dr. Andrews] and I told him how you were and he said OK and he cleared you. I was like what kind of witch doctory bulls--t is that? Like I'm going to go see him before I f---ing wrestle. Book that s--t, I'm not wrestling tonight."
Another notable occurrence in Punk's interview was him ripping on WWE Superstar Ryback, who he said took 20 years off of his life because he's so reckless in the ring.
Ryback addressed the comments on Twitter, in a series of tweets that have since been deleted.
"For the record if I quit for being fragile and insecure I would make up excuses too," Ryback wrote originally. "Things didn't go my way for a long time and I kept going day in and out. Slander is a powerful thing and to state complete made up nonsense for no reason shows his insecurities. I will continue to bust my a-- study matches every chance I get, cut promos when driving and push myself for hours on end even when hurt. Thank you"
Fans of Punk who were hoping to see him back in the WWE apparently won't get their wish as it seems things are still bad between the "Best in the World" and the company.
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