Drew McIntyre Details Past WWE Heat With CM Punk

Speaking in a recent interview with The West Australian, WWE Superstar Drew McIntyre spoke about issues between himself and CM Punk during both men's initial run with the company years ago. He also mentioned how such real-life feelings can be used to amplify an onscreen feud, explaining:

"There’s just this freedom in WWE, especially for people that the company can trust to go out there and be you [...] within reason, there’s certain ones of us they can trust on the microphone, and there really is that feeling of 'go out and try some stuff.' 

"I think this is gonna be a heck of a moment, and I want to build him up, build Punk up, about how I can relate to him and say truthful things. Everything for me has gotta be based in truth, for me and the character. Because if it’s real to me, it’s real to everybody else, and you’ll feel it. Punk and I did have issues when I was younger. All of that stuff’s true. I went in there and told him: I’ve been through injuries, I’ve had moments taken away from me because of it, and I can understand that. He spoke about one of his friends going through chemotherapy and how that’s a real hero, and I said I can relate to that."

McIntyre has relentlessly mocked Punk since the latter's injury at the Royal Rumble, ruling him out of this year's WrestleMania card. Drew also beat an injured Punk down after the mentioned promo, seemingly sowing the seeds for a marquee clash between the two upon Punk's recovery.

Although the onscreen feud between the pair has certainly intensified since Punk's injury, past issues were mentioned prior to it as well. On the January 8 episode of Raw, Drew mentioned being in a dark place earlier in his career, and implied that rather than act as a locker room leader and help him, Punk didn't as he was fearful of McIntyre taking his spot on the card.

H/T to WrestleZone.