Tributes to retiring legend John Cena kept rolling in Friday as WWE’s YouTube channel dropped a new video, “WWE Superstars Reveal the Best Advice They Got from John Cena.”
Just over four minutes, stars
like Cody Rhodes, R-Truth, and Becky Lynch share the most meaningful wisdom they’ve received from “The Never Seen 17.”
At the 13-second mark, CM Punk appears — and slips in what may be a veiled jab at his former employer, AEW.
“I feel like John’s probably given me advice. I’m not the guy that really listens to people, though,” said Punk.
Punk’s comment immediately recalls AEW star Adam Page’s 2022 remarks about advice. Speaking at GalaxyCon Raleigh, Page was asked about guidance from veterans like Punk and Sting. Said Page:
“I’m stubborn, I don’t take advice. It’s a good question and that’s probably the honest answer. I listen to people say things, but very rarely do I listen hard. I was part of the movement that created the entire company and I’m a world champion. I don’t know that I need their advice.”
Punk, who already had issues with Page heading into their Double or Nothing match earlier that year, wasn’t amused. During the post-show scrum at All Out — the one that sparked a backstage brawl involving Punk, Ace Steel, Kenny Omega, and the Young Bucks — Punk unloaded on Page’s comments, saying:
“Our locker room, for all the wisdom and brilliance it has, isn’t worth shit when you have an empty-headed idiot who’s never done anything in the business do public interviews and say, ‘I don’t really take advice.’ Who the fuck do you think you are? That’s stupid.”
Ironically, Punk said the best advice Cena ever gave him was, “Stick to your guns. Be yourself. Stay true to yourself.”
Since returning to WWE, Punk has stayed true to form, taking repeated on-air shots at AEW and Tony Khan following his 2023 firing. And even as he pays tribute to one of his greatest rivals, Punk — ever the student of Bret Hart — seems unwilling to let a grudge die.
