Raven Reveals Why He's Always Liked CM Punk

CM Punk may be a divisive figure within the wrestling industry, but Raven has always liked him for one particular reason. 

Speaking with Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp, the former ECW Champion noted that he was a fan of the Straight-Edge Superstar due to how strongly he believed in himself early in his career, saying:

"I know I did the feud with him in Ring of Honor, but I don't know whether my thing with him in MLW was before, after or during. It all jumbles together. But after 35 years in the business, the linear timeline isn't fresh, exactly, in my mind. Especially with the independents. I know my territory lineage, where I went from one company to the next. But the independents, I don't even know which period it was, if it was before TNA or after TNA...

"You know what’s funny? At the time Punk thought he was the greatest worker in the world and he wasn't. But then rather tremendously became the greatest worker in the business. I don't follow that any more. I don't watch the shows, but seen enough stuff like at watch parties with guests that when Punk was in his WWE run, I saw some of that and he was the best worker in the business. I don't know if he still is, but I've always loved the fact he really thought he was - which you have to, you have to have an ego to push yourself - and then he actually fulfilled it. A lot of guys thought they were the best worker in the business and you never hear from them again. So I always thought that was cool".

Raven and Punk had a notable rivalry on the independent scene in 2003, which included matches for ROH, MLW and other promotions. They were also aligned (as members of The Gathering) during Punk's brief spell in TNA. 

H/T Fightful