“Rough Day”: CM Punk Highlights Mental Troubles During Injury Layoff Hours Before Elimination Chamber in Perth

CM Punk, whose real name is Phil Brooks, made his return to WWE after a four-year absence from the promotion in January 2018. He was immediately thrust into the main event scene and faced off against John Cena at WrestleMania 34. However, during his time back in WWE, Punk suffered an injury to his right tricep that forced him out of action for several months.

Punk's injury occurred on April 29, 2018, during a match against Seth Rollins at the Greatest Royal Rumble event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The injury was so severe that Punk had to undergo surgery and was forced to take time off from wrestling.

During his time away from the ring, Punk struggled with mental health issues. He has spoken openly about his struggles with depression and anxiety, and he has also discussed how difficult it can be to deal with the pressures of being a professional athlete.

In an interview with ESPN's Josh Matthews, Punk spoke about his time away from WWE and how it had affected him mentally. "It was tough," he said. "I missed the adrenaline rush of performing in front of a live audience. I missed the camaraderie of my fellow wrestlers. And I missed the sense of purpose that comes with being part of something bigger than yourself."

Despite his struggles, Punk remained committed to making a comeback to WWE. He returned to the ring in August 2018 and faced off against Seth Rollins at SummerSlam. However, his return was short-lived as he suffered another injury during a match with Daniel Bryan at Hell in a Cell in September 2018.

Punk's injuries and mental health struggles ultimately led to his departure from WWE in January 2019. He announced his retirement on the final episode of WWE Backstage, citing his ongoing physical and mental health issues as reasons for his decision.