CM Punk Addresses 'Cancer' Perception & Why Backstage Issues Haven't Continued In WWE

CM Punk's exit from AEW was expedited due to some notable backstage incidents, including the infamous 'Brawl Out' fight that featured himself, Ace Steel and The Elite, and his skirmish with Jack Perry from the first All In.

Since returning to WWE at last year's Survivor Series, the Straight-Edge Superstar has received glowing reviews for his backstage attitude. This has been a surprise to many, given not only how his AEW run came to an end, but also the acrimonious nature of his 2014 WWE departure.

Speaking about his reputation during a live edition of The Masked Man Show at this past weekend's Fanatics Fest NYC, Punk said:

"That's all bullsh*t. None of that stuff is reality. 'Oh, he's a cancer'. Listen, not everybody gets nice me. I treat you accordingly. If you're a piece of sh*t, and you act that way to me, I will treat you that way. If you're nice, you're smiling, you want to have a good time, let's have a good time. I'm all hugs. It's not like I'm two different people, there are just certain people, the ones that spread those lies and say those things about me, because they can't control me and they can't control the things I do and say. They absolutely hate that, so they try to control the way other people feel or see me. It's bullsh*t. You're going to have to make your own judgment and draw your own conclusion".

The 45-year-old former WWE Champion recently spoke about his 'polarising' nature while saying he never claimed to be a locker-room leader.

H/T Fightful