Vince McMahon Apologizes to CM Punk, Calls Out Wrestling's Millenials on Stone Cold Podcast

McMahon said he didn't listen to Punk's appearance on Colt Cabana's "Art of Wrestling" podcast.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Last week, while you were stuffing your face with your favorite pilgrim foods, CM Punk flipped the WWE on its head by opening up on Colt Cabana's "Art of Wrestling" podcast about the shortcomings of pro wrestling. Among topics about the improper treatment of the wrestlers, the major health hazards, and the general lack of care for its rising stars, Punk called out the WWE for firing him on his wedding day. The podcast created a huge stir throughout the community and demanded a response from the WWE, especially from CEO Vince McMahon. So, following Raw this evening, McMahon went on Stone Cold Steve Austin's podcast and gave a response ... sort of. 

Despite saying that he did not listen to the Cabana podcast that featured Punk, McMahon said that he wanted to personally apologize and blamed the entire situation on a lack of communication. He said that things always get complicated when attorneys get involved, and that a few departments don't know what they're doing and get things mixed up. He also took a subtle shot at Punk by saying the retired wrestler lacks communication skills and is sort of a loner (for what it's worth, McMahon also said that Austin is kind of a loner and called himself a loner). Even so, he made it clear that he hopes Punk could one day work with him again. 

In response to McMahon's comments about Punk, Austin recalled a situation when McMahon tried to force Austin to lose to Brock Lesnar with no build-up. Austin walked out as a result, but he attributed WWE Hall-of-Famer Jim Ross for being able to bring him back to the table to talk things out with McMahon. Austin came back to the WWE but was hit with a $650,000 fine for abandoning the company. Austin was able to negotiate it down to $250,000 and said walking out was the worst move of his professional career. 

Austin also asked McMahon to evaluate the talent pool, as he thinks there aren't enough quality wrestlers with the company. McMahon mentioned that he likes Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt, but that he thinks this millennial generation of wrestlers lacks ambition, is too insecure, and is afraid to fail. 

The full video hasn't popped up yet (unless you have a subscription), but here's a clip of him discussing the upcoming group of the WWE's possible stars: 

[via PW Torch and Wrestling Inc.]

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