Ryback Defends CM Punk Over Saudi Arabia Apology – Former WWE star Ryback has spoken out in support of CM Punk following backlash the former WWE Champion received for publicly apologizing in Saudi Arabia for a controversial tweet made years ago.
The situation stems from Punk’s appearance during the WWE Night of Champions 2025 Kickoff Show in Riyadh, where he addressed a now-infamous tweet from 2020. At the time, Punk had told The Miz to “go suck a blood money covered d*ck in Saudi Arabia,” a post widely viewed as a critique of WWE’s relationship with the Saudi government. However, in his recent remarks, Punk clarified that the tweet had more to do with personal animosity than any political stance, calling it a “mean tweet” made during a “crabby” period.
While many appreciated Punk’s attempt at accountability, not everyone was impressed. Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics took to social media to post a sarcastic response:
“An inspiring moment of self-realization in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as CM Punk courageously aligns himself with a visionary government that criminalizes being gay and occasionally kills its critics.”
Unexpectedly, Ryback — one of Punk’s most outspoken critics over the years — came to his defense.
“I’ve had my issues with Punk, but I don’t see him as a sellout,” Ryback replied to Thurston’s post on X. “He returned to do what he loves and to make money — much like you’re doing by writing critical think pieces about others for clicks.”
Ryback further explained his view on the delicate position professional wrestlers often find themselves in when working for a global entity like WWE.
“WWE is a global business, and working at that level means navigating complex deals, personal beliefs, and public perception,” he continued. “His apology wasn’t about abandoning values — it was about how he expressed them publicly in ways that hurt professional relationships.”
The defense was especially notable considering Ryback and CM Punk’s rocky past. In a 2014 podcast, Punk claimed that Ryback was reckless and dangerous in the ring, even going so far as to say that Ryback had intentionally hurt him. Ryback has long refuted those claims, and the two have not seen eye to eye publicly for over a decade.
Despite their history, Ryback’s comments appear to show an unexpected level of empathy toward Punk and a deeper understanding of the pressures facing modern WWE stars. In the high-stakes world of global entertainment, Ryback argued, decisions and apologies are rarely as simple as they appear.
Whether or not Punk’s apology is accepted by fans or critics, the moment revealed the complexities surrounding WWE’s relationship with Saudi Arabia — and the personal cost of navigating that terrain.
Ryback Defends CM Punk Over Saudi Arabia Apology
