[Masterdev]

In an interview with ESPN Radio, CM Punk and Rhea Ripley were asked about the upcoming WWE: Unreal docuseries. Both Punk and Rhea expressed some hesitation about what was filmed for the series, with Punk citing his experience in pro wrestling in pushing against the concept:

"I’m probably the wrong guy to put on this show to try to talk it up. It’s not that I’m so much against it, it’s that my entire existence in my profession, professional wrestling, you’re taught and you’re brought up and if you’re old school, you protect the business. It’s always been that way.

I feel like since the 20s or 30s, everybody knew wrestling was predetermined. They talk about how they didn’t know and they talk about how in the 80s, we just kind of blew it wide open and now everybody’s exposing the business and this and that. I think if you’re living under a rock, you don’t know, but most people do know"

Rhea said she agrees with Punk and she added that not every thing that happens behind the scenes should be filmed, there are moments she feels that should be private.

Seems like most of the talent and legends of WWE are against this show airing, the fact that Punk and Rhea expressed their negative feelings about a show they're promoting says it all, I'm sure most of the talent are sick of Triple H and his narcissistic antics, they're tired of his obsession to make every thing about himself which is the only reason he created this show.

 

[Jbardo37]

I don’t like so much backstage stuff been filmed I have to say.

 

[SayWhatAgain!]

They are both in the trailer, they both agreed to be a part of it, shut the fuck up.

 

[Masterdev]

They are both in the trailer, they both agreed to be a part of it, shut the fuck up.

They didn't agree to be part of this, they're in the show because their boss told them to be in it, and when the guy who pays you tells you to do something you have to do it even if you don't agree with it, that's how life works kid.

So you can't blame any of the talent who are part of this show, they have no choice.

 

[SayWhatAgain!]

They're in the show because their boss told them to be in it, and when the guy who pays you tells you to do something you just do it, that's how life works kid. So you can't blame any of the talent who are part of this show, they have no choice.

They absolutely do have a choice. It’s a Netflix documentary that has nothing to do with their role as a performer they could’ve said no

 

[A PG Attitude]

I'll enjoy watching it... but its a really dumb idea

 

[Rockymin]

In an interview with ESPN Radio, CM Punk and Rhea Ripley were asked about the upcoming WWE: Unreal docuseries. Both Punk and Rhea expressed some hesitation about what was filmed for the series, with Punk citing his experience in pro wrestling in pushing against the concept:

"I’m probably the wrong guy to put on this show to try to talk it up. It’s not that I’m so much against it, it’s that my entire existence in my profession, professional wrestling, you’re taught and you’re brought up and if you’re old school, you protect the business. It’s always been that way.

I feel like since the 20s or 30s, everybody knew wrestling was predetermined. They talk about how they didn’t know and they talk about how in the 80s, we just kind of blew it wide open and now everybody’s exposing the business and this and that. I think if you’re living under a rock, you don’t know, but most people do know"

Rhea said she agrees with Punk and she added that not every thing that happens behind the scenes should be filmed, there are moments she feels that should be private.

Seems like most of the talent and legends of WWE are against this show airing, the fact that Punk and Rhea expressed their negative feelings about a show they're promoting says it all, I'm sure most of the talent are sick of Triple H and his narcissistic antics, they're tired of his obsession to make every thing about himself which is the only reason he created this show.

Funny that Rhea says these things but ends up on the poster by herself.

 

[Masterdev]

They absolutely do have a choice. It’s a Netflix documentary that has nothing to do with their role as a performer they could’ve said no

If they say they don't want to be in this show, their boss (Triple HGH) will punish them by stop pushing them, so they have no choice.

 

[yeahbaby!]

We thought Vince had put a price tag on every square inch of WWE by branding everything in existence but it seems now maybe there was some sacred cows he left untouched.

 

[PandaPawPaw]

Funny that Rhea says these things but ends up on the poster by herself.

They should of put Charlotte on there. It'd be pretty accurate.

 

[thorwold]

It’s 2025, does anyone really believe a fucking behind the scenes reality show is anything other than a scripted thing where you see exactly what they want you to see, and everyone is in character, even if it’s not the same character you see on Raw.

 

[RWPunk]

Wait wrestling is fake?

 

[Art Vandaley]

It’s 2025, does anyone really believe a fucking behind the scenes reality show is anything other than a scripted thing where you see exactly what they want you to see, and everyone is in character, even if it’s not the same character you see on Raw.

100% the whole thing is a work, including these complaints. We aren't going to see anything not carefully curated to create a particular narrative.

 

[Hotdiggity11]

We thought Vince had put a price tag on every square inch of WWE by branding everything in existence but it seems now maybe there was some sacred cows he left untouched.

I understand your overall sentiment but Vince did allow “Wrestling with Shadows” to be filmed backstage. So he certainly wasn’t a guardian of backstage kayfabe.

 

[Kratosx23]

Well, Punk is definitely never getting the title now.

 

[La Parka]

Anyone who respects wrestling feels this way.

 

[BestInTheWorld312]

Yeah I don't really care for this shit either, but it is what it is.

 

[Seafort]

They absolutely do have a choice. It’s a Netflix documentary that has nothing to do with their role as a performer they could’ve said no

WWE has a partnership with Netflix. The performers face consequences if they say no.

 

[Stellar]

Lets not start making stuff up and assuming things when we aren't actually there backstage seeing whats agreed on and said.

It's not surprising for there to be hesitancy of participating in this given that these wrestlers are also fans of wrestling and respect the history of it. While we are in a time when we do know more about things backstage, still doesn't mean that everyone has to be okay with it. They clearly are going along with it but it's their right to not like it also and it's understandable.

 

[Dr. Jones]

WWE has a partnership with Netflix. The performers face consequences if they say no.

Even Netflix aside, I'm sure it's written into their contracts that they have to participate in any additional programming ie: documentaries, web-series, A&E Specials, etc...

They don't have to work 300 days on the road all year taking bumps, so I'm sure the trade off is that they have to contribute to bonus content.

They're not going to pay these top stars 7 figures a year to work 3-4 days a week and be able to veto any additional assignments just because they don't agree with it.