WWE: CM Punk on Biggest Influences on His Wrestling Career & Potential Future Heel Turn, Jeff Cobb (JC Mateo) on His WWE Run Being His “Dream Job”, Zelina Vega on Being Released From WWE For Second Time In Her Wrestling Career

CM Punk Comments on Biggest Influences on His Wrestling Career & Potential Future Heel Turn

A recent episode of the Busted Open Radio podcast featured Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Punk’s thoughts about which person gave Punk the best advice early in his career.

“Too hard to narrow down. Too wide of a spectrum of some of the more brilliant minds in wrestling. You’ve named a few of them there. A lot of them aren’t with us anymore: Terry, Harley, Tracy Smothers, Eddy Guerrero. And then there’s the ones that we are currently fortunate to still have, that even to this day still give me great advice. Bret Hart. Shawn Michaels. These are these are guys who I can reach out to and ask a question, whether it’s something that happened in the late ’90s or, ‘Hey, I’m thinking of this.’ I can bounce these ideas off them and get their perspective.”

Punk also gave his thoughts about how he maintained such a strong emotional connection with fans.

“I think initially it’s the authenticity that I bring. It’s being myself. But it’s also the job.I’m in the job of manipulating the emotions of the audience based on where I want them to go. And when you’ve done it for this long, you develop a currency with the audience.”

Punk also gave his thoughts about how that connection with fans may dictate his future storylines including a potential heel turn in the future.

“Even if I thought it would be a great idea to try to get these people to hate me, I think that’s going to be a tough ask. We saw it recently with John Cena. I don’t think people really want to boo Randy [Orton]. I think the situation’s got to be right. But I’m fortunate to have that currency with the audience.”

Transcript h/t: F4WOnline.com

---

Jeff Cobb (JC Mateo) Comments on His WWE Run Being His “Dream Job” & He Pitched To Wrestle More In WWE

As noted before, JC Mateo, departed from WWE this past May as part of a recent larger batch of talent releases and departures.

Denise Salcedo held a recent interview with Mateo, also known as Jeff Cobb. One of the topics discussed included Cobb’s thoughts about his brief run in WWE and how being in WWE was his “dream job” for his wrestling career due to he grew up as a fan of World Wrestling Federation.

“So, I was like, ‘that’s what I got to do.’ So, you know, that’s my dream job.

And it’s not everything that I thought it would be, but who am I to complain?” he added. “It’s not my company. But being able to say I was sought after, saying no to them four times and then saying yes on the fifth, it’s a cool little notch on my belt to say that.”

Cobb also gave his thoughts about how enjoyed his time in WWE.

“I had a fun time while I was there. Could things have gone in a better direction? Of course. But my time there, my experiences, I’ll always cherish it.

Cobb also gave his thoughts about how he was not happy having to wrestle in facepaint in WWE due to how much it hurt to take it off and it irritated his skin.

“When they said ‘switch to facepaint,’ I was like, did you guys watch the product?. I didn’t paint my face in New Japan, but I’ll try. So I tried to make chicken salad out of chicken poop. So I did my best with it.

Wrestling in facepaint was really hard. It hurt taking it off. My skin was so bad. It was horrible.”

Cobb also gave his thoughts about if he felt he made his mark during his brief time in WWE.

“Yes and no. I don’t want to sound like a bitter ex-employee. Could I have done more? Yes. Could they have given me more stuff to do? Yes. At the same time, ‘maximize your minutes.’ I tried to do that. The first couple of months, I was more, ‘Yes, whatever you want from me.’ The last couple of months I was like, ‘Can I do more? Can I talk more?’ If I don’t show my personality, then I’m just Bodyguard #2. I wanted to do more, wrestle more. That’s what you signed me for, based off my wrestling. New Japan, we don’t do too much character stuff or vignettes. ‘You hired me for wrestling. Let me wrestle. Put me on Main Event. Put me in dark matches.’ ‘We’ll see.’

Transcript h/t: F4WOnline.com, Fightful.com

---

Zelina Vega Comments on Being Released From WWE For Second Time In Her Wrestling Career

As noted before, Zelina Vega was released by WWE this past April as part of a larger batch of talent releases and departures.

Denise Salcedo held a recent interview with Vega. One of the topics discussed included Vega’s thoughts about her being released from WWE for the second time in her wrestling career.

“I still had a wonderful career with WWE. Regardless of anything when it comes to that, obviously I was released prior as well; I still had almost a ten-year career there. The way I look at it is, yes, my husband and I were released but I was able to meet my husband and make him my husband because of WWE. I had that moment in Puerto Rico at Backlash because of WWE. I really try to spin things into a positive, regardless. It’s really hard because I’m such a big advocate for mental health that not everything is going to be sunshine and rainbows. Not every day is going to be a happy one. I’ve dealt with the ups and downs of it. I remember when I saw my phone vibrating, I was like, ‘Oh, shit.’ You don’t expect it, and then it hits; you’re like, ‘Alright.’ Either you go into panic mode or survival mode. I have much more a survival mode mentality, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t come with a hard time. I really try to hold on to the positive. I have such an amazing fucking fanbase because of WWE and TNA, I can’t disregard that either, and STARDOM, I’ve had a lot of people who stuck with me along the way, and it’s incredible. Without the Paige movie, I don’t even know you’d be looking at a person named Zelina Vega. There are so many people I have to thank along the way. I try really to hold onto the positive part.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com