Bully Ray took a slightly harsher approach to Punk’s impending return, particularly when it came to the “I have a lot of things to get off my chest” line from the aforementioned video package. Nevertheless, he believes “The Best in the World” will have to do one of two things upon returning: Make fans fall in love with him again, or make them hate him even more. He’ll need a little longer than just Saturday night to accomplish this, however.

“I don’t know, but the first words that came to mind were the boy who cried wolf,” he said. Ray then remembered “WWE Backstage,” a talk show featuring Punk that began airing in November 2019 before ending in January 2021. The retired wrestler promised something similar at the time but never followed through. “And CM Punk was like ‘Oh boy, I don’t know what I’m gonna say!'” he recalled. “And then what did he say? Nothing.”

Yet while Ray doesn’t necessarily think fans will get that again, it’s on the man himself to win them back. That all begins with character work.

“I’m gonna sit back, and he’s going to have to win me over from a character point of view,” he added. “I don’t give a s*** about anything less than the pro wrestling story and the character.” Win, lose, or draw, Ray believes it is up to Punk to make himself a must-see event. Whether it’s in the ring or on the microphone, he has to give fans a reason to believe if they’re going to take him seriously again.

“You better make me love you again, or you better make me hate you even more than I hate you right now for the perception that you have created,” Ray declared.

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit “Busted Open Radio” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.