Corey Graves has rekindled friendship with CM Punk since WWE return

After a falling out, Corey Graves and CM Punk have rekindled their friendship.

In an interview with Bill Apter for Sportskeeda WrestleBinge, Graves revealed that he and Punk have spoken and cleared the air since Punk's WWE return. Graves said they both apologized for some things that happened over the years.

The conversation between Graves and Punk took place backstage at the Royal Rumble this January. Graves said it's been exciting to have Punk back in WWE and renew their friendship:

I am proud to report that it’s all water under the bridge. I finally had a chance in-person - I bumped into him briefly the night of Survivor Series backstage, but it was chaotic. He had just come back, everything was at 11 at the moment. So the day of the Royal Rumble at Tropicana Field, I actually got to pull him aside for a few minutes and we cleared the air. Had a nice, long chat.

You know, we both apologized for some things over the years and realized that this is where we both belong. This is where we both want to be. It's been a really exciting time for me personally to be able to rekindle a friendship that meant so much to me over the years. And I am truly as excited to have Punk back here under the WWE banner as just about anybody.

Graves and Punk were close friends before their falling out. The night that Punk faced Mike Jackson at UFC 225 in 2018, Graves sent out a series of tweets where he accused Punk of abandoning everyone who had stood by his side. Graves later called the tweets "unprofessional."

Before Punk returned at Survivor Series, Graves said last November that he would welcome Punk back to WWE.

Graves is the lead play-by-play announcer of WWE SmackDown, calling the show with Wade Barrett.

Punk suffered a torn triceps at the Royal Rumble but will still be involved with WrestleMania 40 in a non-wrestling capacity. He'll be joining the commentary team for Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre's World Heavyweight Championship match at night two of WrestleMania this Sunday.

Prior to Punk's injury, the original plan was for him to challenge Rollins at WrestleMania.

Apter's interview with Graves is available to watch below: