Alex Riley Has a Lot to Say About CM Punk, Dolph Ziggler, and Cody Rhodes

Former WWE Superstar Alex Riley, whose last appearance with the company was in mid-2016, appeared on the Ross Report with Jim Ross and had a lot to say about the high profile departures lately.

Riley, who was released with WWE having never properly utilized him during his career, took this as an opportunity to speak his mind about CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, and his desire to work with Dolph Ziggler.

Regarding Rhodes leaving the company, he showed nothing but respect for the superstar, saying it took a lot of courage to follow his convictions to leave. “What Cody did means he really loves it,” said Riley. “He was tired. It wasn’t a matter of where he was [on the card] or exposure he had or what opportunity he may or may not get. He believed in something and it wasn’t what they thought he was and he made a choice to go out on his own.”

When it came to CM Punk, however, he showed more scorn than praise. “I was begging for somebody to give me an opportunity to work. Begging, asking people every day, ‘why am I not being used? Why can’t I do this? How about I do this?’ and never really getting an answer,” he said of his own situation in contrast to Punk’s. “So to hear him kind of push for that opportunity, get it, and then, exit in the fashion he exited, I don’t know. I can’t sympathize with that because I don’t know if I would do that.”

But when asked who he would love to work with, Ziggler’s name came up immediately. “I think he’s extremely talented. I think he’s tough as nails, Dolph. He really has lasted there and I’ve always said this too.”