CM Punk has shared an emotional message following his latest appearance for WWE NXT, thanking both the fans and those behind the scenes after competing at Saturday night's live event in Petersburg, Virginia.

The former WWE Champion stepped into the ring at the VSU Multipurpose Center, joining forces with Myles Borne and Tavion Heights for the night's main event. The trio picked up the victory over The Vanity Project, giving the Petersburg crowd a memorable conclusion to the show.

After the event wrapped up, Punk took to his Instagram Stories to reflect on the experience and express his appreciation for the reception he received.

“Thank you to all the fans who came out tonight. You were BEAUTS. Amazing energy. Thank you Petersburg VA! Special thank you to all NXT talent and crew. My heart is so full. I love this. I am so grateful, and appreciative of everyone’s hard work. What a life!”

Punk's involvement also appears to have provided a significant boost at the box office.

When his appearance was initially announced, approximately 1,261 tickets had been distributed for the Petersburg event. That figure soon climbed to 1,483 following confirmation that Punk would be part of the show.

Interest continued to build in the days leading up to the event. According to WrestleTix, ticket distribution had reached 2,135 by Saturday, representing an increase of more than 870 tickets compared with the figure reported around the time Punk was first advertised.

Punk has maintained a close connection with WWE's developmental system during his current run with the company, regularly offering support to younger talent and making appearances around NXT. His latest outing gave Borne and Heights the opportunity to share the main event spotlight with one of WWE's biggest names.