CM Punk Apologizes For 'Blood Money' Post That Previously Annoyed Saudi Arabian Fans

CM Punk is atoning for his now-infamous tweet targeting WWE Superstar The Miz, which brought great controversy amid in 2019.

But in a shocking move, Punk has apologized to the WWE audience, citing that "everything is a lesson learned" and explaining what he said before.

The Controversial Tweet That Sparked Backlash

CM Punk Apologizes For 'Blood Money' Post That Previously Annoyed

CM Punk had an angry online spat with The Miz in 2019, prompting a scathing rebuttal from the former WWE Champion. Punk, who never hesitated to voice his unrestrained opinions, came out with a tweet instructing Miz to "Go suck a blood money covered d*** in Saudi Arabia you f***ing dork."

The post was interpreted as a veiled attack on WWE's comparatively controversial events in Saudi Arabia, which were condemned by some based on the nation's human rights record.

At the time, the tweet generated widespread controversy, and Punk's words seemed to fuel the fire surrounding WWE's partnership with Saudi Arabia. Despite his pointed message, the tweet remained a significant part of Punk's legacy, particularly regarding his relationship with WWE and its fans.

Punk Acknowledges the Mistake

Flash forward to last Friday, and CM Punk was in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, competing in the WWE Night of Champions kickoff show. The welcome from the home crowd was anything but warm, as most fans recalled his previous remarks. Boos resounded throughout the arena as Punk cut his entrance, a sign that the Saudi crowd hadn't forgotten the incendiary tweet.

At the event, one fan standing in the front row got Punk's attention and requested that he apologize for what he had said previously. According to TMZ Sports, Punk used the moment to tackle the matter straight up, noting that his tweet was merely because he had woken up in a terrible mood and wasn't referring to anything specific to the country.

"I wrote a mean tweet to The Miz, and I apologized to The Miz, and I sincerely apologize to all of Saudi Arabia. I'm not perfect by any means, sometimes as human beings we screw up."

The crowd's response was evident, with the fans cheering for the wrestler's decision to speak out on the matter. The symbol of Punk extending the hand of the fan appeared to diffuse the situation, with many in attendance in the arena appearing to be willing to let the controversy pass.

WWE's Ongoing Relationship with Saudi Arabia

Punk's apology also has an important impact on WWE's business interests, particularly in light of the company's recent relationship with Saudi Arabia.

WWE is in the middle of its sixth year of a 10-year agreement with the Kingdom, with the deal reportedly worth $500 million. The deal permits WWE to bring large-scale events to the country, including events such as the Night of Champions, which has become an important component of WWE's global programming.

The alliance with Saudi Arabia has had its share of criticism in the past, with human rights being a major cause of concern. However, WWE has continued to push these events hard as part of its international expansion efforts. Punk's apology and attempts to fix his image with Saudi fans are timely, given that WWE wants to keep its fans in the Kingdom content while it continues its lucrative arrangement.

Punk vs. Cena at Night of Champions

As the Night of Champions event wears on, CM Punk will face John Cena for the WWE title in one of the most exciting matches. Although tension had existed in the arena early on, Punk's offer to apologize has probably softened everything, and it would now seem that WWE fans from Saudi Arabia are prepared to rally behind the veteran wrestler all over again.

Bleeding Cool reported that WWE Hall of Famer Bull Ray said in his podcast that CM Punk's performance was impressive.

"CM Punk apologizing to Saudi Arabia shows he's a company man who understands the big picture. These AEW guys would rather lose money than compromise their precious beliefs. That's why WWE will always be on top! That's exactly the kind of unbiased journalism that deserves The Chad McMahon Unbiased Wrestling Journalism seal of approval!"