Kevin Nash Reveals How CM Punk’s Improv Changed WWE Plans
Wrestling legend Kevin Nash recently shared a fascinating behind-the-scenes story detailing how a spontaneous remark by CM Punk during a 2011 WWE promo dramatically altered the company’s booking plans. The incident, involving Stephanie McMahon, led to a significant shift in a planned feud.
The SummerSlam Interference and Initial Plans
In 2011, Nash made a surprising return at SummerSlam, interfering in CM Punk’s WWE Championship match. The initial expectation was that this interference would set the stage for a one-on-one showdown between Nash and Punk at Night of Champions. However, WWE abruptly changed course.
Triple H Steps In
To the surprise of many fans, Triple H replaced Nash as Punk’s opponent, ultimately defeating him in a No Disqualification match at Night of Champions. This decision was met with considerable criticism at the time, leaving many wondering about the reasoning behind the sudden change.
The Untold Story: Punk’s Unscripted Remark
Speaking on his podcast, Kliq This, Nash explained that the shift in plans wasn’t due to long-term creative strategy. Instead, it stemmed from an off-script comment made by CM Punk during a promo that deeply offended Triple H. The line hadn’t been vetted or approved beforehand.
“When I was supposed to wrestle CM Punk after I cost him the belt, he said something that pissed off Paul [Triple H] about something with him and Stephanie. And it wasn’t on script, and it pissed Paul off, and Paul came back and basically said, ‘You’re not wrestling Punk. I am. I’m beating that motherf**ker.’ He was that hot,” Nash recounted.
A Matter of Pride and Locker Room Hierarchy
Nash described Triple H’s reaction as a display of pride and a reinforcement of the established locker room hierarchy. “Paul [Triple H] isn’t a b*tch. It was like, ‘Oh, okay, motherf**ker.’ Basically, like, ‘Oh, okay, Kliq rules.’ Like, ‘You want to pull them out, measure them. Here we go. Suck on that,” Nash explained, referencing the influential Kliq faction.
The Aftermath and Shifting Feuds
As a result, the planned Nash vs. Punk match was scrapped entirely. Triple H went on to defeat Punk at Night of Champions 2011. Subsequently, Nash found himself embroiled in a feud with Triple H, culminating in their Sledgehammer Ladder Match at TLC that same year.
Given CM Punk’s history of personal jabs directed at both Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, pinpointing the exact line that triggered the blowup remains unclear. However, Nash highlighted the transient nature of real-life tension within the professional wrestling world.
“That’s what people don’t understand, that aren’t in the business, is you can have that kind of f*cking heat with somebody 10 years ago, four years ago, three years ago. But, when you got to make money and make music together, f*cking how quickly that dissolves,” he said.
Interestingly, since Punk’s return to WWE in 2023, both he and Triple H have publicly expressed positive sentiments towards each other, demonstrating the ability to separate personal issues from professional obligations.
Read More: AEW’s MJF Unleashes Profanity-Laced Rant on WWE’s CM Punk
Source: Wrestlezone
