CM Punk addresses post-wrestling WWE career options

CM Punk is open to a lot of different options to stay involved in wrestling once his in-ring career is over.

While being interviewed by Pardon My Take, Punk said he views himself as a five-tool player who could contribute in a variety of roles behind the scenes. He knows retirement is “looming” at this point in his career but also has times where he feels great and like he could wrestle for another 10 years.

“Yeah,” Punk responded when asked about potentially staying in wrestling after he’s done competing. “Going back to sports, I’m like the five-tool player, you know? You can put me on commentary. I could ref — that probably wouldn’t work, I’d probably take some attention away from whoever’s in the ring. I mean, there’s so many behind-the-scenes roles. We call them producers now, but in my day we called them agents. There’s people who put shows together. There’s writers, obviously, now. Creative people. I love all aspects of the business. There’s like a thousand hats that I could wear once I’m crippled and I can’t go anymore.”

Punk, 46, said he’s focused on being present rather than worrying about the past or the future. Whenever he does retire, he does not plan to have a long John Cena-esque retirement tour.

“I am more present. I’m more, like, in the now. Not worried about yesterday, not worried about what the hell we’re doing tomorrow. And I can enjoy it, because I know this ain’t going to last forever,” Punk said.

Punk and his wife AJ Lee are set to team up at WWE Wrestlepalooza this Saturday, where they’ll take on Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch in a mixed tag bout. Lee — who recently made her long-awaited return to WWE — will be wrestling her first match since 2015.