Powerhouse Hobbs was recently interviewed by PWInsider’s Mike Johnson and talked about his upcoming fight with AEW Champion CM Punk. On September 24, 2021, Punk defeated Hobbs in the Grand Slam edition of AEW Rampage. It was Punk’s second match with AEW, and it was taped in Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City.
Hobbs was questioned about his memories of that pivotal match and event, as well as what it meant to him as a young player.
“I looked at it as a test. There are a lot of other talents that could have had that opportunity but I remember Punk going online on social media and mentioning my name as 1 of 5 guys that he’s been watching, that meant the world to me,” Hobbs recalled. “And being his second match in the company, in 8 years I believe it was, it meant a lot and I felt I had to showcase what I could do. A lot of eyes were on me, a lot of eyes were on Punk and I believe that we delivered that night. I don’t think anyone left disappointed. I remember walking back to the locker room, walking past the fans and getting pats on the back, and later on hearing comments from Punk that he was proud of that match, so it meant the world. I’ve been on record before saying what that match meant, being my mom passed away a month prior to that match, so he knew that and he knew we had to go knock it out the park, and that’s what we did.”
Hobbs continued, recalling Punk assuring him that his mother was keeping an eye on him.
“Punk reassured me that my mom was there, she was watching the match, let’s put on a match for her, and that’s what we did. I think after that match, a lot of people, if they didn’t know who I was, they did after that night,” Hobbs said.
Below is footage from Punk vs. Hobbs:
