CM Punk's return raised many eyebrows, with fans curious about how WWE's old guard would react, and veteran WWE personality Michael Cole has recalled his reaction to Punk's return.Cole revealed in an interview with "OutKick" that he was good friends with Punk before the latter's departure from WWE, but they lost touch afterward. However, Cole welcomed the former AEW star with open arms, saying he was willing to do business with him and was pleased to see him back in WWE."Punk and I were real close when he was here the first time around. Obviously, he leaves the company. This business is weird because you can be best friends with someone while they're working here and then they leave and you might not talk to them for a few years. That was my situation with Punk," revealed Cole. "Listen, business is business. I learned that a long time ago when I started here. Never say never to anything in WWE. I was excited when Punk was going to come back."Cole admitted he was unsure how Punk would act upon his return to WWE or how the locker room would react. However, he was determined to do business and had no issues with Punk rejoining WWE, adding that he was pleased to have him back in the promotion. The veteran commentator acknowledged that Punk had said a few things about him after leaving WWE but noted that surviving in pro wrestling requires one to let go of past disagreements."You, you can't hold a grudge. If you take anything personal in our business, you won't survive. There's a reason I've been here for 30 years. You have to just let it slide down your back, move on with a smile on your face, and do business," he added.Punk vowed to never return to WWE after leaving in 2015, but went back on his word, with him saying that Nick Khan and Triple H played a key role in it.
