From: edwardsdv | #435
But respects him why? Unless youre going to go the "Theyre old friends in kayfabe (silimar to R Truth and Cena or Ryder and Cena) just accept it" theyre referencing material that doesnt exist kayfabe for the basis of this relationship.
And its not like during the Elimination Chamber build he went out and applauded everyone who qualified. This is clearly Bryan specific.
For one thing, the fact that Bryan and Punk know each prior to the WWE and had pre-WWE careers is entirely within WWE kayfabe; it's been alluded to for both men time and time again and they even had a backstage segment before one of their matches prior to Wrestlemania to establish that they respect each other. Hell, you can go way back to NXT season 1 for the first signs of Punk thinking highly of Bryan.
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Mistake you're making - overlooking the fact that we might not want to be saved.