CM Punk, the world heavyweight champion and an ardent Chicago sports fan, has come to the defense of New York Giants rookie Cam Skattebo amid a wave of backlash from Giants fans over his involvement in an angle on ‘Monday Night Raw.’ The controversy erupted as Skattebo, who recently suffered a season-ending ankle injury, was seen participating in a staged altercation with WWE performers during the episode. His injury occurred earlier in the season while playing for the Giants, and fans have expressed frustration over his continued engagement in the wrestling event, despite his limited mobility due to the injury.
Punk, who was interviewed on the ‘Barstool Yak’ podcast, was unapologetic in his defense of Skattebo, calling the Giants fans ‘stupid’ for their outburst. ‘Life’s not fair, but I think those are just stupid Giants fans,’ Punk stated. ‘Do you want to alienate him anymore? So he doesn’t want to play for your s—ty franchise. Yeah, I said it.’ He emphasized that such interactions between celebrities and pro wrestling have been a longstanding tradition, questioning the fans’ rationale for their outrage. Punk argued that there was no evidence that Skattebo’s participation in the event had negatively impacted his recovery, and that his actions were entirely non-harmful.
Skattebo, who broke his leg during a game against the Eagles, was seated with several of his Giants teammates, including rookie pass rusher Abdul Carter, during the segment. The event, which included a staged brawl between NFL players and members of The Judgment Day, was described by Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka as a positive team initiative. Kafka stated his support for the event, noting that it provided a way for young players to engage with the community and maintain their enthusiasm for the game. ‘I knew they were going to the event. It was a rookie event,’ Kafka said. ‘We have some team events that our support staffs put together for the rookies to kind of get out. So, I thought it was a cool thing.’
Despite the initial controversy, there were no further complications for Skattebo, and his injury has not been exacerbated by the incident. Both Punk and Kafka have expressed no concerns about his safety or recovery process, highlighting the support they both have for the young player. The situation, while divisive among fans, has underscored the complex relationship between sports and entertainment culture, with a clear line drawn between fan loyalty and personal expression.