WWE Superstar CM Punk has responded to the perception that he disapproves of wrestling in Saudi Arabia, clarifying during a recent Instagram Live session that he has never even visited the country."I’ve never been to Saudi. I don’t hate coming to Saudi," Punk said in response to a fan’s question, aiming to shut down long-standing speculation around his reluctance to be part of WWE’s events in the region.

The controversy stems from a now-deleted 2020 tweet in which Punk fired back at fellow wrestler The Miz, telling him to “go suck a blood money covered d**k in Saudi Arabia.” The remark was made while Punk was a panelist on WWE Backstage, a FOX studio show, and drew heavy criticism for its harsh tone and implications. Though Punk later apologized privately to Miz, the sentiment lingered in the minds of fans - many of whom still associate Punk with a firm anti-Saudi stance.

Now, with Punk being advertised for WWE’s upcoming Night of Champions event in Riyadh on June 28, speculation has reignited over whether he has softened his stance. His brief but pointed reply on Instagram suggests he is distancing himself from past statements and reframing his narrative in line with WWE's current global expansion strategy.Fans have taken to social media, with reactions ranging from support to accusations of hypocrisy. One user wrote, "What a hypocrite. That blood money speaking loud" while another called him out for backtracking on his earlier moral stand. Despite the criticism, others pointed out that several top stars - including John Cena and Kevin Owens, had similar reservations in the past but eventually chose to participate in Saudi shows.

Punk’s potential return to the Saudi stage marks another milestone in his current WWE run, which has been nothing short of eventful. He recently main-evented Night One of WrestleMania 41 in a Triple Threat match against Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins, fulfilling a long-standing personal goal.Currently, he is scheduled to team with Sami Zayn in a tag match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on May 24, with rumors swirling about a possible heel turn from Zayn - potentially setting up a one-on-one clash between the two at Night of Champions.As WWE continues to push into international markets, Punk’s evolving position signals a broader shift in the company’s culture - and perhaps, in the values of its most outspoken performers.