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Phillip Jack Brooks (born October 26, 1978), better known by his ring name CM Punk, is an American professional wrestler and actor. As of November 2023[update], he is signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw brand and is the World Heavyweight Champion in his record-tying second reign. Regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, he is known for his outspoken and confrontational straight edge persona, which is based on his real-life experiences. His 434-day reign as WWE Champion is the 10th-longest world title reign in the company's history.[a]
Key Information
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Brooks began his wrestling career on the independent circuit in 1997. He signed with Ring of Honor (ROH) in 2002, where he won the ROH World Championship once and was one of the inaugural inductees into the ROH Hall of Fame in 2022. Brooks signed with WWE in 2005 and won the WWE Championship twice, the World Heavyweight Championship three times,[b] and the ECW Championship, the Intercontinental Championship and the World Tag Team Championship[c] once each. Brooks also won the Money in the Bank ladder match in 2008 and 2009 (making him its only back-to-back winner), was named Superstar of the Year at the 2011 Slammy Awards, and was voted PWI Wrestler of the Year in 2011 and 2012. After acrimoniously leaving WWE in 2014, Brooks retired from wrestling but returned in 2021 when he joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he won the AEW World Championship twice. Brooks was fired in September 2023 after backstage controversies and returned to WWE two months later, where he has since headlined multiple major pay-per-view and livestreaming events, including WrestleMania 41 – Night 1, and won the newer version of the World Heavyweight Championship twice.[d]
Outside of wrestling, Brooks pursued a career in mixed martial arts and joined the welterweight division of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), losing via submission to Mickey Gall in his professional debut at UFC 203 in 2016. He lost his second fight to Mike Jackson via unanimous decision at UFC 225 in 2018, which was later overturned to a no contest; he never fought again and officially retired in August 2021. He worked as a pundit on WWE Backstage (2019–2020) and has been a part-time color commentator for Cage Fury Fighting Championships since 2018. He also starred in the horror films Rabid (2019), Girl on the Third Floor (2019), and Jakob's Wife (2021), as well as the wrestling drama series Heels (2021–2023).
Early life
[edit]Phillip Jack Brooks[2] was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 26, 1978.[3] He is the youngest son of housewife Harriet Jadwiga (née Kowalski; 1946–2016) and electrician Daniel Brooks.[4] His mother was born in Germany to Polish parents,[5] while his father had Irish ancestry.[6] Brooks' umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck upon birth, causing his face to appear blue.[7][8] He and his estranged older brother, Michal, were raised in Lockport, Illinois.[9][10]
Brooks' father struggled with alcoholism, which led him to adopt a straight edge lifestyle as a teenager.[11] His mother, whom he was also estranged from, suffered from bipolar disorder; he later reportedly obtained a restraining order against her in June 2013.[12] Due to his turbulent childhood,[11] Brooks was welcomed into the family of his childhood best friend, Chez.[11] His first job was at a comic book shop named All American Comics in Evergreen Park, Illinois,[13] which closed in January 2022.[14] "Rowdy" Roddy Piper was an early influence on Brooks; he cites him as the reason he pursued professional wrestling.[15][1][16] He was arrested multiple times during his time as a student at Lockport Township High School.[3][12][17]
Professional wrestling career
[edit]Early career; IWA Mid-South (1997–2005)
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Brooks' first venture into wrestling was a stint in a backyard wrestling federation called the Lunatic Wrestling Federation with his older brother Michal and their friends in the mid-to-late 1990s. He had his debut match on October 25, 1997, the day before his 19th birthday, defeating Brawn the Lumberjack.[18] He first started using the ring name CM Punk when he was put into a tag team named the "Chick Magnets" with CM Venom after another performer skipped out on the card; the "CM" originally stood for "Chick Magnet" but was later amended to have no meaning.[19][20][21] Unlike his friends, Punk genuinely wanted to be a wrestler and saw it as more than simple fun.[19] When the promotion started taking off while doing shows out of a warehouse in Mokena, Illinois, Punk found out that Michal had embezzled thousands of dollars from the small company, causing them to become estranged; they have not spoken since.[10]
After leaving the Lunatic Wrestling Federation, Punk enrolled as a student at the Steel Dominion wrestling school in Chicago, where he was trained by Ace Steel,[22] Danny Dominion and Kevin Quinn to become a professional wrestler. As part of the training, he began wrestling at Steel Domain Wrestling in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1999.[23][19][24] It was in the Steel Domain that he met Scott Colton,[25][26] who soon adopted the ring name Colt Cabana. Punk and Cabana became best friends and spent most of their early career together working in the same independent promotions, as both opponents and tag team partners.[25] In the independents, along Cabana and other fellow Steel Domain graduates Chucke E. Smooth, Adam Pearce, and manager Dave Prazak, Punk formed an alliance named the Gold Bond Mafia.[19]
In 2002, Punk became the International Wrestling Cartel (IWC) Heavyweight Champion, in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.[27][28][29] Punk would compete in the company's Super Indy tournament,[30] but never won the championship.
Punk's home promotion for his early career was considered to be the Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South (IWA Mid-South).[19] During Punk's time in IWA Mid-South, he had high-profile feuds with Colt Cabana and Chris Hero while also rising to the top of the roster, winning the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Championship twice and the IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship on five separate occasions, beating wrestlers like AJ Styles, Cabana, and Eddie Guerrero in matches for the heavyweight championship. Punk's feud with Hero included a 55-minute Tables, Ladders, and Chairs (TLC) match,[19] a 93-minute two out of three falls match[23] and several 60-minute time limit draws.[26] From July 2003 until May 2004, Punk refused to wrestle for IWA Mid-South, explaining this as a protest to Ian Rotten's mistreatment of Chris Hero in the company.[19] However, Hero has stated he believes there were other reasons and Rotten's treatment of him was just an excuse by Punk to stop working for the company.[31] Punk eventually returned to IWA Mid-South and continued to perform as a wrestler and commentator for them until July 2005.[32]
NWA: Total Nonstop Action (2002–2004)
[edit]Punk made his debut for NWA: Total Nonstop Action alongside his trainer Ace Steel on September 18, 2002, where Punk and Steel defeated Derek Wylde and Jimmy Rave and The Hot Shots (Cassidy O'Reilly and Chase Stevens) in a three-way match to qualify for the tag team Gauntlet for the Gold later in the night, with the winning team facing America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) in a match for the vacant NWA World Tag Team Championship. Punk then returned to TNA in mid-2003, while simultaneously wrestling for Ring of Honor. Upon his full-time signing with TNA, Punk was paired with Julio Dinero as members of Raven's stable The Gathering.[19]
Shortly before a NWA: TNA show on February 25, 2004, Punk had a physical scuffle with Teddy Hart outside of a restaurant that was broken up by Sabu. The altercation reportedly stemmed from an ROH show in which Hart performed three unplanned spots, putting several other wrestlers in danger of injury.[33][34] Around the time of the scuffle, Punk and Dinero stopped appearing on TNA shows, leading to speculation that he was fired for the incident.[35] However, Punk said the scuffle had no bearing on his TNA career.[35] Brooks said the reason he and Dinero stopped appearing on TNA's pay-per-view events was that TNA officials believed he and Dinero had not connected with the fans as villains, having turned against the popular Raven and instead formed a villainous tag team managed by James Mitchell.[35] The officials decided that since the team was not working as villains, the storyline would be put on hold indefinitely, and thus had no work for Punk or Dinero.[35] Punk officially quit TNA in March 2004 during the Rob Feinstein controversy after having a dispute with the TNA offices over his ability to compete in ROH following a TNA order that their contracted wrestlers were to no longer wrestle in ROH.[24]
Ring of Honor (2002–2006, 2022)
[edit]Second City Saints (2002–2004)
[edit]Punk's matches with Colt Cabana led him to being hired by ROH.[23] CM Punk made his in-ring debut on ROH at All Star Extravaganza on November 9, 2002, in a gauntlet match involving five participants, that was won by Bryan Danielson.[36] Initially, Punk joined ROH as a face, trading wins with Cabana at Night of the Butcher and Final Battle.[19] but quickly turned heel in a feud with Raven that featured multiple variants of a no disqualification match.[37] Their rivalry was rooted in Punk's straight-edge lifestyle, with him likening Raven to his alcoholic father;[38][39] At Night of Champions, Punk and his trainer Ace Steel faced Raven and Cabana in a tag team match, during which Cabana turned on Raven, allowing Punk and Steel to win the match. Consequently, Punk, Steel and Cabana formed a trio called the Second City Saints. Punk and Raven's rivalry lasted most of 2003 and was considered one of ROH's top feuds of the year. It was settled at The Conclusion in November 2003, where Punk defeated Raven in a steel cage match.[37] In late-2003, Punk was hired as the first head trainer of the Ring of Honor wrestling school,[19][40] having previously been a trainer for the Steel Domain[19] and Primetime Wrestling.[41]
After concluding the rivalry with Raven, the Second City Saints turned face by feuding with The Prophecy (Christopher Daniels, B.J. Whitmer and Dan Maff), suspecting them of attacking Punk's on-screen girlfriend Lucy Fer. Whitmer was revealed to be the assailant, which led to Saints facing Prophecy in a six-man tag team match at The Battle Lines Are Drawn, which ended in a no contest. The match concluded when Punk drove Daniels with a Pepsi Plunge off the top rope through a table, thus explaining Daniels' departure from ROH. Around this time, Punk began climbing the ranks of ROH, including coming in second at the Second Anniversary Show during the tournament to crown the first ROH Pure Champion, losing to AJ Styles in the finals.[37] At Reborn: Stage Two, Punk and Cabana defeated the Briscoe Brothers to win their first ROH Tag Team Championship. At Round Robin Challenge III, the Second City Saints lost the Tag Team Championship to B.J. Whitmer and Dan Maff in a round robin challenge, but defeated the Briscoe Brothers later that night to win their second Tag Team Championship.[42] The Second City Saints avenged their loss to the Prophecy by defeating them to retain the titles at Generation Next. They held the titles throughout the summer before eventually losing them to The Havana Pitbulls at Testing The Limit.
In mid-2004, Punk faced off against ROH World Champion Samoa Joe for the championship in a three-match series. On June 12 at World Title Classic, the first match resulted in a 60-minute time limit draw, when neither Punk nor Joe could pin or cause the other to submit within the allotted 60 minutes. On October 16 at Joe vs. Punk II, they wrestled to a second 60-minute draw.[37] In addition to Joe vs. Punk II becoming Ring of Honor's bestselling DVD at the time, the match received a five-star rating by famed wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. It was the first match in North America to receive a five-star rating in seven years, the last one being the first-ever Hell in a Cell match between Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker at Badd Blood: In Your House in 1997.[26] Joe ended the series by defeating Punk in the third and final match on December 4 at All-Star Extravaganza 2, in which there was a no-time-limit stipulation.[37]
ROH World Champion (2005)
[edit]Though he had accepted a deal to join the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Punk defeated Austin Aries to win the ROH World Championship on June 18 at Death Before Dishonor III.[42] Despite entering the match as a face, immediately after winning the match and the title, Punk proceeded to turn heel and started a storyline where he threatened to take the ROH World Championship to WWE with him. For weeks, Punk teased the ROH locker room and the ROH fans, mocking the championship he possessed, going so far as to sign his WWE contract on top of it. During the storyline, referred to by ROH as the "Summer of Punk",[43] Mick Foley made several ROH appearances, attempting to convince Punk to do the right thing and defend the title on his way out. On August 12, Punk lost the ROH World Championship to James Gibson in a four corner elimination match, which also involved Samoa Joe and Christopher Daniels.[42] Punk's final scheduled match in ROH took place at Punk: The Final Chapter on August 13, 2005, against long-time friend Colt Cabana in a two out of three falls match, which he lost.[37]
Special appearances (2006, 2022)
[edit]Punk made a special appearance at the ROH show Unscripted II on February 11, 2006, when the original card had to be scrapped due to Low Ki leaving ROH the week prior.[37] In addition, most of the ROH roster contracted to TNA were pulled from the show because of a snowstorm that TNA officials thought might prevent performers from reaching the TNA's Against All Odds event scheduled the next day.[44][45] In the main event, Punk teamed with Bryan Danielson to defeat Adam Pearce and Jimmy Rave in a tag team match.[45]
Punk was inducted into the ROH Hall of Fame as part of the 2022 inaugural class.[46]
World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE (2005–2014)
[edit]Ohio Valley Wrestling (2005–2006)
[edit]Upon being signed by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), CM Punk was assigned to its developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), where he was mentored by Paul Heyman.[47] He debuted in September 2005 in a dark match.[48] In his first appearance on OVW TV later that month, Punk suffered a broken nose and ruptured eardrum in a match with Danny Inferno.[49][50] In November 2005, Punk defeated Ken Doane to win the OVW Television Championship.[49] Immediately thereafter, Punk began to feud with Brent Albright, culminating in a three way dance between Punk, Doane, and Albright in January 2006; after Doane was injured during the match, he was replaced by Aaron "The Idol" Stevens, who won the match and became the new OVW Television Champion.[51] In February 2006, Punk entered into a tournament to crown a new OVW Heavyweight Champion, losing to Albright in the finals.[24] In May 2006, Punk defeated Albright in a strap match to win the OVW Heavyweight Championship.[52] In July 2006, Punk and Seth Skyfire defeated Shad Gaspard and the Neighborhoodie to win the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship, making Punk a double champion.[53] They lost the titles to Deuce Shade and "Domino" Cliff Compton in August 2006.[51] Later that same month, Punk lost the OVW Heavyweight Championship to Chet the Jett.[51] Following his defeat, Punk ceased appearing regularly with OVW, but continued to make sporadic appearances until WWE and OVW ended their developmental partnership on February 7, 2008.[54][55]
ECW Champion (2006–2008)
[edit]
Punk debuted in ECW on June 24, 2006, defeating Stevie Richards at a Philadelphia house show.[56] Punk's televised introduction followed on the July 4 episode of ECW on Sci Fi, featuring a straight edge-themed promo alongside a new Muay Thai-inspired presentation.[57] Punk wrestled his first televised match for the brand on August 1 at Hammerstein Ballroom, defeating Justin Credible,[58] and later scored additional victories over C.W. Anderson,[59] Stevie Richards,[60] and Shannon Moore[61] across subsequent ECW broadcasts.
Punk soon entered a rivalry with Mike Knox after Knox's on-screen girlfriend Kelly Kelly displayed romantic interest in him.[61] He defeated Knox in consecutive matches on the November 7 and November 14 episodes of ECW.[62][63] At Survivor Series on November 26, Punk made his pay-per-view (PPV) debut in a winning effort as part of the traditional elimination match.[64] Punk's next PPV appearance came at December to Dismember on December 3, where he was the first eliminated in the Extreme Elimination Chamber match for the ECW World Championship.[65]
Punk suffered his first ECW singles loss on the January 9, 2007 episode, ending his six-month undefeated streak against Hardcore Holly.[66] Punk later competed unsuccessfully in the WrestleMania 23 Money in the Bank ladder match on April 1.[67] The following weeks saw Punk entangled in the New Breed vs. ECW Originals feud, initially aligning with the New Breed after being courted by both factions, turning heel in the process.[68][69][70] Punk's heel turn proved short-lived, as he betrayed the New Breed by attacking leader Elijah Burke during a multi-man tag team match, reestablishing himself as a fan favorite.[71] Punk defeated Burke in his first singles PPV match at Judgment Day on May 20,[72] then closed the rivalry at One Night Stand on June 3 by teaming with Tommy Dreamer and The Sandman to defeat the New Breed in a tables match.[73]
After ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley was drafted to Raw and stripped of the title, Punk advanced to the tournament finals at Vengeance: Night of Champions on June 24.[74] Punk's scheduled opponent Chris Benoit was replaced last-minute by Johnny Nitro, who defeated Punk for the vacant championship.[75][76] Punk challenged Nitro (later renamed John Morrison) in unsuccessful title matches at The Great American Bash on July 22[77] and SummerSlam on August 26.[78] Punk finally captured the ECW Championship by defeating Morrison in a last chance match on the September 4 episode of ECW.[79]
Punk defended the title successfully throughout the fall, retaining against Elijah Burke at Unforgiven on September 16,[80] overcoming Big Daddy V via disqualification at No Mercy on October 7,[81] and defeating The Miz at Cyber Sunday on October 28.[82] After surviving another challenge from Morrison on November 6[83] and a triple threat against Morrison and The Miz at Survivor Series on November 18,[84] Punk's 143-day reign ended on the January 22, 2008 episode of ECW when he lost to Chavo Guerrero in a no disqualification match following interference from Edge.[85]
World Heavyweight Champion (2008–2009)
[edit]On March 30 at WrestleMania XXIV, Punk won the Money in the Bank ladder match after defeating Carlito, Chris Jericho, John Morrison, Montel Vontavious Porter, Mr. Kennedy and Shelton Benjamin, earning him a shot at either the WWE, World Heavyweight, or ECW titles at any time.[86] At Judgment Day on May 18, Punk teamed with Kane to unsuccessfully challenge John Morrison and The Miz for the WWE Tag Team Championship.[87]
On June 23, Punk was drafted to the Raw brand during the 2008 WWE draft.[88] In his first night on Raw the following week, Punk cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and won the World Heavyweight Championship after Batista beat down the champion Edge. He made his first defense later that same night against John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL), who had challenged him shortly after his win.[89] Punk continued to hold and defend the title (against the likes of Batista on July 20 at The Great American Bash and the July 21 episode of Raw, and JBL at SummerSlam on August 17)[90][91][92] until Unforgiven on September 7, when he was attacked by The Legacy and Randy Orton, who punted Punk in the head before the Championship scramble match, ending his reign at 69 days.[93] Punk could not participate in the match due to the attack and so was forced to forfeit the title, being replaced by Chris Jericho, who won the match and the title.[94] On the September 15 episode of Raw, Punk received his title rematch, but failed to regain the title in a steel cage match against Jericho.[95]
On the October 27 episode of Raw, Punk and Kofi Kingston defeated Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase to win the World Tag Team Championship.[96] The duo were members of Team Batista on November 23 at Survivor Series, where their team lost to Team Orton after Rhodes eliminated Punk.[97] Punk then entered a number one contender Intercontinental Championship tournament, defeating Snitsky and John Morrison in the first two rounds.[98] Punk and Kingston lost the World Tag Team Championship to John Morrison and The Miz on December 13 at a live event.[99] The next day at Armageddon on December 14, Punk defeated Rey Mysterio in the tournament finals.[98] On the January 5, 2009, episode of Raw, Punk received his title match against William Regal, which ended in a disqualification when Regal grabbed the referee's jersey.[100] Due to this, Stephanie McMahon awarded Punk a rematch the following week on Raw, but this time Punk got disqualified.[101] McMahon awarded him another rematch, a no disqualification match on the January 19 episode of Raw, where Punk defeated Regal to win the Intercontinental Championship.[102] With this win, Punk became the 19th WWE Triple Crown Champion and the fastest ever to accomplish the feat, surpassing Kevin Nash's old record of 203 days.[103][104] Punk lost the Intercontinental Championship on the March 9 episode of Raw to John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL).[105] On April 5 at WrestleMania 25, Punk won the Money in the Bank ladder match and became the first person to win the match twice.[106] On April 13 during the 2009 WWE draft, Punk was drafted to the SmackDown brand.[107] In the period after the draft, Punk feuded with Umaga over Umaga's repeated surprise attacks while Punk was attempting to cash in his Money in the Bank contract, ultimately resulting in a Samoan strap match at Extreme Rules on June 7, which was won by Punk.[108]
Later that night, Punk cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to defeat Jeff Hardy for the World Heavyweight Championship immediately after Hardy won the title from Edge in a ladder match.[109] Punk made his first successful title defense in a triple threat match against both Edge and Hardy on the June 15 episode of Raw.[110] On June 28 at The Bash, Punk retained the title even though he lost to Hardy by disqualification (because titles do not change hands on a disqualification) after kicking the referee.[111] As part of the storyline, Punk injured his eye and said that he could not see the referee, but Hardy called his eye injury into question, believing it to be feigned, with Punk claiming to be the moral superior of those who support Hardy, due to his drug-free lifestyle, resulting in Punk turning heel in the process.[112] On July 26 at Night of Champions, Punk lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Hardy.[113] Their feud continued through SummerSlam on August 23, when Punk regained the title in a TLC match only to be attacked by The Undertaker.[114]
On the August 28 episode of SmackDown, Punk concluded his feud with Hardy and achieved his booked goal of excising him from WWE, defeating Hardy in a steel cage match to retain the World Heavyweight Championship wherein the loser agreed to leave the company.[115] On September 13 at Breaking Point, Punk defeated The Undertaker in a submission match to retain the World Heavyweight Championship.[116] The Undertaker originally won the match with his "Hell's Gate" submission hold, but SmackDown general manager Theodore Long restarted the match after stating that the ban that former SmackDown general manager Vickie Guerrero had placed on the move a year earlier was still in effect and Punk won the match with the anaconda vise when referee Scott Armstrong called for the bell despite Undertaker never submitting (eerily reminiscent to the Montreal Screwjob, which took place in the same venue in 1997).[117] The feud between the two continued and on October 4 at Hell in a Cell, Punk lost the World Heavyweight Championship to The Undertaker in convincing fashion in a Hell in a Cell match.[118] Punk went on to lose two subsequent rematches for the World Heavyweight Championship against The Undertaker on the October 23 SmackDown[119] and on October 25 at Bragging Rights in a fatal four-way match also involving Batista and Rey Mysterio.[120]
Straight Edge Society (2009–2010)
[edit]
In late-2009, Punk's character began taking on a more sinister direction. On the November 27 episode of SmackDown, Punk revealed that he had converted Luke Gallows, who had previously been portrayed as the mentally incompetent wrestler Festus, to the straight-edge lifestyle which had subsequently rid him of his mental troubles.[121] Throughout January 2010, Punk began to convert planted members of the audience to a straight-edge lifestyle, making them take a pledge of allegiance to him and shaving their head as a sign of renewal and devotion.[122][123][124] After converting many people who were not seen again, convert Serena began accompanying Punk and Gallows to form The Straight Edge Society.[124][125] As well as leading this alliance, Punk was also the mentor of NXT rookie Darren Young, who flirted with the idea of becoming straight edge, before refusing just before his head was to be shaved.[126][127][128][129][130] Punk would also give sermons, including during the annual Royal Rumble match on January 31, as well as during an Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship on February 21 at both of the eponymous pay-per-view events.[131]
During the first half of 2010, Punk feuded with Rey Mysterio, being eliminated by him during the Elimination Chamber match.[132] After Mysterio prevented him from winning a Money in the Bank qualifying match, Punk interrupted Mysterio's celebration of his daughter Aalyah's ninth birthday.[133] Mysterio and Punk faced each other in a match at WrestleMania XXVI on March 28, where if Mysterio lost, he would join the Straight Edge Society, but Punk lost to Mysterio at WrestleMania.[134] They had a rematch at Extreme Rules the following month on April 25 where Punk would have to shave his head like his disciples if he lost, but he won this match after interference from Joey Mercury, a fourth member of the Straight Edge Society.[135] On May 23 at Over The Limit, a third and final match between Punk and Mysterio was booked with both stipulations reactivated, but Punk lost and was subsequently shaved bald.[136] After the match, Punk began wearing a black mask, since he considered himself always pure unlike his followers and was embarrassed by his baldness.[137]
On June 20, 2010, at WWE Fatal 4-Way, Punk challenged for the World Heavyweight Championship against Mysterio, Big Show and the champion Jack Swagger, but he was unsuccessful when he was attacked by Kane, who was accusing various people of attacking The Undertaker.[138] Punk and his stable started a feud with Big Show when on the July 16 episode of SmackDown, Big Show unmasked Punk.[139] Big Show faced the Straight Edge Society in a three-on-one handicap match on August 15 at SummerSlam, winning the match after Punk abandoned his teammates.[140] The next month, at Night of Champions on September 19, Punk lost to Big Show in a singles match.[141] The Straight Edge Society angle ended after Serena was released from WWE[142] and Mercury became injured,[143] and Punk defeated Gallows in a singles match on the September 24 SmackDown.[144]
The New Nexus (2010–2011)
[edit]
In October 2010, Punk was traded back to the Raw brand after being swapped with Edge and took part in the interbrand tag team match on October 24 at Bragging Rights after defeating Evan Bourne to win a place,[145] but Team Raw lost as Punk was eliminated by Rey Mysterio.[146] During the event, Punk suffered a hip injury that prevented him from wrestling for several months.[147] To keep a presence on television, he began commentating on Raw on November 22.[148]
At the end of December 2010, Punk left the commentary team after assaulting John Cena on the December 20 episode of Raw[149] and the December 21 episode of SmackDown with a chair.[150] Punk later revealed that his motives for the attacks were that he had joined and assumed control of The Nexus.[151] Punk then made each member of the group prove themselves worthy of a spot, with some instead choosing to join The Corre, which had been started by former Nexus leader Wade Barrett on SmackDown.[152]
On January 30, 2011, Punk and The New Nexus cost Randy Orton his match with The Miz for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble as revenge for Orton prematurely ending Punk's first World Heavyweight Championship reign in 2008.[153] In turn, Orton responded by taking out all of the New Nexus members by punting them in the head, leaving Punk alone as the sole surviving member of the group.[154][155][156][157] This led to a match at WrestleMania XXVII on April 3 and a Last Man Standing match on May 1 at Extreme Rules, both of which Punk lost.[158][159]
WWE Champion (2011–2013)
[edit]In June 2011, after pinning WWE Champion John Cena on the June 13 episode of Raw,[160] Rey Mysterio at Capitol Punishment on June 19,[161] and finally Alberto Del Rio in a number one contender's triple threat match (which also included Mysterio) all within one week, Punk revealed that his WWE contract was set to expire on July 17 at Money in the Bank and vowed to leave the company with the WWE Championship.[162] On the June 27, 2011, edition of Raw, Punk made arguably his most popular promo, a scathing, yet highly acclaimed on-air speech, often referred to as the "Pipe Bomb", concerning the way in which WWE is run and its owner Vince McMahon, as well as referencing other promotions, such as Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro-Wrestling:[163]
John Cena, while you lay there, hopefully as uncomfortable as you possibly can be, I want you to listen to me. I want you to digest this, because before I leave in three weeks with your WWE Championship, I have a lot of things I wanna get off my chest.
I don't hate you, John. I don't even dislike you. I do like you, I like you a hell of a lot more than I like most people in the back. I hate this idea that you're the best - because you're not. I'm the best. I'm the best in the world. There's one thing you're better at than I am and that's kissing Vince McMahon's ass. You're as good at kissing Vince's ass as Hulk Hogan was. I don't know if you're as good as "Dwayne", though. He's a pretty good ass-kisser. Always was and still is. Oops - I'm breaking the fourth wall. I am the best wrestler in the world. I've been the best ever since day one when I walked into this company. And I've been vilified and hated since that day because Paul Heyman saw something in me that nobody else wanted to admit. Yeah that's right, I'm a Paul Heyman guy. You know who else was a Paul Heyman guy? Brock Lesnar. And he split, just like I'm splittin', but the biggest difference between me and Brock is that I'm going to leave with the WWE Championship.
I've grabbed so many of Vincent K. McMahon's imaginary brass rings that it's finally dawned on me that they're just that. They're completely imaginary. The only thing that's real is me. And the fact that day in and day out, for almost six years, I've proved to everybody in the world that I am the best on this microphone, in that ring, even on commentary. Nobody can touch me. And yet, no matter how many times I prove it, I'm not on your lovely little collectors' cups, I'm not on the cover of the program, I'm barely promoted, I don't get to be in movies, I'm certainly not on any crappy show on the USA Network, I'm not on the poster of WrestleMania, I'm not on the signature that's produced at the start of the show. I'm not on Conan O'Brien, I'm not on Jimmy Fallon, but the fact of the matter is I should be. And trust me, this isn't sour grapes, but the fact that "Dwayne" is in the main event of WrestleMania next year and I'm not, makes me sick!
Oh hey, let me get something straight. Those of you who are cheering me right now - you are just as big a part of me leaving as anything else, because you're the ones that are sipping out of those collector cups right now, you're the ones that buy those programs that my face isn't on the cover of, and then at five in the morning at the airport, you try to shove it in my face so that you can get an autograph and sell it on eBay, because you're too lazy to get a real job.
I'm leaving with the WWE Championship on July 17 and hell, who knows, maybe I'll go defend it in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Maybe I'll go back to Ring of Honor. Hey, Colt Cabana, how you doing? The reason I'm leaving is you people because after I'm gone you're still going to pour money into this company - I'm just a spoke on the wheel - the wheel's gonna keep turning and I understand that. But Vince McMahon's gonna make money despite himself. He's a millionaire who should be a billionaire. You know why he's not a billionaire? It's because he surrounds himself with glad-handing nonsensical douche bag yes-men like John Laurinaitis, who's gonna tell him everything that he wants to hear. And I'd like to think that maybe this company will be better after Vince McMahon is dead, but the fact is, it's gonna be taken over by his idiotic daughter and his doofus son-in-law and the rest of his stupid family.
Let me tell you a personal story about Vince McMahon. You know we do this whole bully campaign-- [The microphone is turned off, Punk taps on it a few times and then calls out without the microphone] I've been silenced!"[164]
At Money in the Bank, Punk defeated Cena to win the WWE Championship.[165][166]
On July 21, Punk made a surprise appearance at a joint WWE–Mattel panel at San Diego Comic-Con, where he mocked new chief operating officer Triple H, and offered WWE Championship tournament finalist Rey Mysterio a match for the WWE Championship as long as it was in Punk's hometown of Chicago.[167][168] Punk appeared at July 23's All American Wrestling show, showing respect to Gregory Iron, a wrestler with cerebral palsy.[169] Mysterio won the WWE Championship tournament on the July 25 episode of Raw only to lose it to Cena later that night. After Cena's victory, Punk, now a face, returned and upstaged Cena's celebration while also entering a title dispute.[170] Triple H later upheld both Punk and Cena's claims to the WWE Championship as legitimate and scheduled the two to a match at SummerSlam on August 14 to decide the undisputed WWE Champion, with Triple H to serve as the special guest referee.[171] At SummerSlam, Punk defeated Cena, but he lost the title minutes later to Alberto Del Rio, who had cashed in his Money in the Bank contract after Kevin Nash attacked Punk.[172]
The following months, Punk lost at Night of Champions on September 18 against Triple H, at Hell in a Cell on October 2 in a WWE Championship triple threat Hell in a Cell match,[173] and at Vengeance on October 23 against The Miz and R-truth in a tag team match with Triple H as his partner.[174] This helped transition Punk's anti-establishment voice from Triple H to John Laurinaitis, who, around this time, became the interim Raw general manager.[175] Punk balked at Laurinaitis' promotion and verbally attacked him as a dull yes man.[176][177]
At Survivor Series on November 20, Punk defeated Del Rio to win his second WWE Championship.[178] Punk went on to defend the title through the end of the year, retaining in a rematch with Del Rio on the November 28 episode of Raw SuperShow[179] and against both Del Rio and The Miz in a triple threat TLC match on December 18 at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs.[180] At the Royal Rumble on January 29, 2012, Punk successfully defended his title against Ziggler despite Laurinaitis acting as the outside enforcer.[181]
On the January 30 episode of Raw SuperShow, the returning Chris Jericho attacked Punk and Daniel Bryan during their Champion vs. Champion match, giving Bryan the win.[182] The following week on Raw SuperShow, Jericho explained his actions by dismissing the WWE roster as cheap imitations of himself and singling out Punk for calling himself "the best in the world", a moniker Jericho used the last time he was in WWE.[183][184] Their rivalry continued through Elimination Chamber on February 19, when Punk retained the WWE Championship in the namesake structure, but while four competitors were eliminated, Jericho was unable to continue the match after being kicked out of the chamber by Punk, causing temporary injury.[185] The next night on Raw SuperShow, Jericho earned a match against Punk on April 1 at WrestleMania XXVIII[186] and in a bid to psychologically unsettle him, revealed that Punk's father was an alcoholic and alleged that his sister was a drug addict, asserting that Punk's straight edge philosophy was paranoia to avoid the same vices and vowing to make Punk turn to alcohol by winning the title from him.[187] John Laurinaitis added the stipulation that the WWE Championship could change hands via disqualification, which led to Jericho inciting Punk into using a weapon, but Punk resisted and retained the title.[188] On the April 2 and 9 episodes of Raw SuperShow, Punk retained the WWE Championship against Mark Henry after losing to him via countout and disqualification, being attacked by Jericho following both matches and doused with alcohol.[189][190] On the April 16 episode of Raw SuperShow, Punk pinned Henry in a no disqualification, no countout match to retain the title.[191] After repeated altercations, the feud between Jericho and Punk culminated in a Chicago street fight on April 29 at Extreme Rules, where Punk defeated Jericho to retain the WWE Championship.[192]
On May 20 at Over the Limit, Punk retained the title against Daniel Bryan after reversing Bryan's submission hold the ""Yes!" Lock" into a pinning combination, as the pinfall saved Punk from his own submission only moments later.[193] Shortly before Over the Limit, Bryan interfered in a non-title match between Punk and Kane to frame Punk for attacking Kane with a steel chair, starting a three-way rivalry.[194][195][196][197] On the June 1 episode of SmackDown, a WWE Championship match between Punk and Kane ended in a double disqualification after Bryan attacked both men.[198] Meanwhile, Bryan's jilted ex-girlfriend AJ Lee turned her affections to both Punk and Kane.[199] This feud culminated in a triple threat match on June 17 at No Way Out, where Punk managed to retain the title after AJ distracted Kane.[200] On July 15 at Money in the Bank, Punk defeated Bryan in a no disqualification match with AJ as the special guest referee to retain the title and end the feud.[201]
On July 23 at Raw 1000, Punk defended the title against Money in the Bank winner John Cena and lost by disqualification after interference from Big Show.[202][203] When the night's special guest The Rock – who had interrupted Punk earlier to announce he would wrestle for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble on January 27, 2013 – intervened to save Cena from Big Show's assault, Punk attacked The Rock, turning heel in the process.[204] Punk justified his actions the following week on Raw, explaining he was tired of people like Cena and The Rock overshadowing him when the WWE Champion should be the focus of the company, asserting himself further soon after by disrupting a number one contender's match between Cena and Big Show.[205][206] As a result, both men were entered into the title match against Punk on August 19 at SummerSlam, where he successfully retained the title by pinning Big Show after both Punk and Cena submitted Big Show at the same time and Raw general manager AJ Lee restarted the match.[207] In the following weeks on Raw, Punk demanded respect from people like AJ Lee, Jerry Lawler and Bret Hart and eventually aligned with Paul Heyman in his feud with Cena.[208] On September 16 at Night of Champions, Punk retained the WWE Championship after he fought Cena to a draw.[209] Punk continued to feud with Cena despite the latter's arm injury,[210] rejecting the requests of Mick Foley and Jim Ross to pick him as his Hell in a Cell opponent on October 28 and leading to a brawl with WWE chairman Vince McMahon.[211][212][213] Cena was eventually pulled from the title match and replaced by Ryback,[214] whom Punk would defeat at Hell in a Cell in a Hell in a Cell match with help from referee Brad Maddox to retain the title and also ending Ryback's thirty-eight match undefeated streak.[215]
The next night on Raw, a furious Mick Foley confronted Punk for refusing to pick John Cena as his Hell in a Cell opponent, leading the two to agree to meet at Survivor Series on November 18 in a Survivor Series match with Punk choosing Alberto Del Rio, Cody Rhodes, Damien Sandow and The Miz for his team.[216] However, Punk was replaced as captain by Dolph Ziggler the following week on Raw and was instead booked in a triple threat WWE Championship match against John Cena and Ryback by Vince McMahon.[217] At Survivor Series, Punk won the match by pinning Cena following interference from the debuting faction called The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins), allowing him to retain the WWE Championship and officially hold the championship for one full year.[218] On December 4, Punk underwent surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus, removing him from his scheduled title match against Ryback on December 16 at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs.[219] Despite his injury, Punk became the longest-reigning WWE Champion in the past 25 years on December 5, when he hit 381 days, surpassing John Cena's 380-day reign.[220] Punk returned to in-ring action on the January 7, 2013, episode of Raw, retaining the WWE Championship against Ryback in a TLC match following interference from The Shield.[221]
On January 27 at the Royal Rumble, Punk defended the WWE Championship against The Rock in a match that stipulated that Punk would be stripped of the title if The Shield interfered.[222] Punk originally pinned The Rock to retain after The Shield put Rock through a table while the arena lights were out, leading Vince McMahon to come out and announce that Punk would be stripped of the title, but he instead restarted the match at The Rock's request. Punk lost, ending his reign at 434 days.[223] WWE recognized this reign as the longest world championship reign in WWE of the "modern era" (after 1988) until Universal Champion Brock Lesnar broke that record in June 2018.[224] Punk received a title rematch with The Rock on February 17 at Elimination Chamber, stipulated that The Rock would lose the title if he was disqualified or counted out, but Punk was pinned by The Rock after miscommunication with Heyman.[225] On the February 25 episode of Raw, Punk faced Royal Rumble winner John Cena for his number one contendership to the WWE Championship, but he lost.[226]
Final storylines (2013–2014)
[edit]On the March 4 episode of Raw, Punk defeated Big Show, Randy Orton and Sheamus in a fatal four-way match to earn the right to face The Undertaker at WrestleMania 29 on April 7.[227] After the real-life death of Paul Bearer, The Undertaker's former manager the next day, a somewhat controversial storyline involving Punk regularly spiting The Undertaker through displays of flippancy and disrespect towards Bearer's death began, including Punk stealing Bearer's trademark urn.[228][229][230] At WrestleMania, Punk was defeated by The Undertaker.[231] Punk then took a two-month hiatus away from WWE television to recover from injuries.
Punk returned at Payback on June 16, defeating Chris Jericho.[232] Punk started a storyline where he told Heyman to no longer accompany him to his matches and was later attacked by Heyman's other client Brock Lesnar, thus turning Punk face once again.[233] Heyman also cost Punk a WWE Championship Money in the Bank ladder match at Money in the Bank on July 14 when Heyman attacked Punk.[234] This led to a match between Punk and Lesnar at SummerSlam on August 18,[235][236] when Punk lost to Lesnar in a No Disqualification match after Heyman interfered.[237] His feud with Heyman continued during the following months, facing his other client, the Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel.[238] First, at Night of Champions on September 15, Punk faced Axel and Heyman in a no disqualification two-on-one handicap elimination match in which he made Axel submit, leaving only Heyman left, but Punk lost the match after Ryback interfered and put him through a table.[239] Then on October 6, Punk defeated Ryback at Battleground[240] and the feud ended at Hell in a Cell on October 27, where Punk faced Heyman and Ryback in a two-on-one handicap Hell in a Cell match, winning the match by pinning Ryback and after the match performing a "Go to Sleep" to Heyman on top of the cell.[241]
Punk moved on to a feud with The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Erick Rowan and Luke Harper), forming an alliance with Daniel Bryan, with the duo defeating Harper and Rowan in a tag team match on November 24 at Survivor Series.[242] The next night on Raw, Punk was attacked by The Shield while attempting to save Bryan from being "taken hostage" by The Wyatt Family.[243] Punk then insinuated that The Authority, a villainous group who controlled WWE led by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, ordered the attack, which resulted in the Director of Operations Kane booking Punk in a three-on-one handicap match against The Shield at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on December 15.[244] At TLC, Punk won the match after Reigns accidentally performed a spear on Ambrose.[245] After further altercations between Punk and Kane, Kane made Punk the first entrant in the annual Royal Rumble match on January 26, 2014.[246] At the Royal Rumble, near the end of the match, Kane, who was already eliminated earlier in the match by Punk, eliminated Punk from the outside and proceeded to perform a chokeslam on him through the announce table.[247]
Initial retirement (2014)
[edit]I was sick and hurt and burnt out, and I walked. And I can do that because I'm an independent contractor.
— In a December 2014 interview, Punk explains why he left WWE earlier that year[248]
Punk did not appear on the January 27 episode of Raw, nor did he appear at the SmackDown taping on Tuesday despite being advertised for both events. By Wednesday, WWE.com stopped advertising Punk for future events. The Wrestling Observer reported that on Monday and prior to Raw, Punk had legitimately walked out after telling Vince McMahon and Triple H that he was "going home".[249][250] On February 20 during a conference call to investors, McMahon said Punk was "taking a sabbatical".[251] On the March 3 episode of Raw, which took place in Punk's hometown of Chicago, WWE acknowledged his absence on television for the first time when the show started with Punk's entrance music playing, only for former manager Paul Heyman to walk out to a loud chorus of boos.[252] WWE then proceeded to remove Punk from footage of their promotional videos.[253] This lasted until the first half of July, where WWE used footage of Punk to promote the WWE Network.[254][255] In an interview published in late May, Punk was asked how it felt "to be retired at 35" and replied that "it feels good".[256] On July 15, WWE.com officially moved Punk from the active roster to the alumni section of their page without releasing a statement. On the same day, Punk thanked his fans without mentioning WWE.[257] In late July, Punk said that he was "never ever" going to return to wrestling.[258]
When Punk told [another] doctor that he wrestled with a staph infection for three months, Punk said [that] doctor told him: "You should be dead. You could have died".
— The Pro Wrestling Torch documents the Punk interview released in November 2014[259]
On an episode of Colt Cabana's Art of Wrestling podcast released in November 2014, Punk finally broke his silence regarding his exit from WWE.[260] In a detailed interview, Punk said that he was suspended for two months after walking out on WWE in January and that after the suspension ended, nobody from WWE contacted him. Punk also said WWE executives gave him a run-around when he reached out to them for unpaid royalties until he was ultimately handed his termination papers and was fired by WWE on his wedding day on June 13, 2014.[261] The manner of firing was the last straw for Punk, stating that he would never return to WWE and that there would be no further working relationship between him and WWE following a legal settlement. The settlement included Punk giving WWE permission to sell his remaining merchandise.[259]
Punk cited his health as the main reason he left WWE, describing that during his final months in WWE, he had been working through an untreated and potentially fatal MRSA infection (Punk later acknowledged on the witness stand that he was not diagnosed with an MRSA staph infection, but that a physician's assistant said he exhibited certain symptoms consistent with an ordinary staph infection),[262] broken ribs, injured knees and multiple concussions, including one at the 2014 Royal Rumble, as well as having lost his appetite and ability to sleep well. Punk felt that WWE was pressuring and rushing him to wrestle before fully recovering. According to Punk, he found a lump on his back in November 2013, and it was diagnosed as a "fatty deposit" by Dr. Chris Amann, who refused to remove it despite Punk's repeated requests. The week after Punk left WWE, his wife April Mendez convinced him to get the lump checked by her doctor. The doctor told Punk that he could have died due to ignoring it for such a long time. Punk had the doctor evacuate the infection, describing it as the worst pain in his life, but said that once it was treated and he was on stronger medication, he was able to sleep better than he had in months.[261]
Other sources of unhappiness Punk had with WWE were his failure to main event a WrestleMania (deeming his entire career to be a failure as a result),[261] being paid less than the other wrestlers in the three most significant matches of WrestleMania 29, doing favors for Vince McMahon and not being owed back, being "creatively stifled", feeling that there were no long-term plans for wrestlers other than John Cena, as well as receiving less pay and not getting answers as to how the advent of the WWE Network would affect wrestlers' salaries.[261] Lastly, Punk described having left with "zero passion" for wrestling[259] and described himself at the time of the interview to be the happiest he had ever been in many years.[261]
Less than one week later, while being interviewed on The Steve Austin Show on the WWE Network, Vince McMahon apologized to Punk for the manner of his termination, which he regarded as an unfortunate coincidence due to a lack of communication within WWE. McMahon also said that he was open to working with Punk again.[263] In a second Art of Wrestling podcast, Punk publicly rejected McMahon's apology, brushing it off as "insincere" and a "publicity stunt" as McMahon did not contact him directly to apologize and could have apologized much earlier.[248]
Post-retirement appearances (2015–2020)
[edit]Punk's first known appearance at a professional wrestling event following his exit from WWE was at a Freelance Wrestling show on December 4, 2015, titled "Raw Power". Draped in a cloak and referred to by announcers as Kikutaro's "nameless mentor", Punk managed Kikutaro in a match against Darin Corbin and Dick Justice. He tossed around salt before the match but did not get involved in the match itself.[264]
On April 19, 2019, Punk appeared in a masked disguise at an event held by independent promotion MKE Wrestling, where he helped Ace Steel win a match by attacking his opponent with the GTS. While it was implied to be Punk by promotion owner Silas Young, nothing was confirmed by Punk.[265]
On November 12, 2019, Punk made a surprise appearance on the Fox Sports 1 series WWE Backstage. He subsequently joined the program as a special contributor and analyst.[266] Punk accepted the job because he would be under contract with Fox instead of WWE directly, and hoped it would help him find his way back into the wrestling business. Regarding an in-ring return, he was not interested but not opposed to the idea, noting it was "a bridge that is gonna have to be built."[267] Production of WWE Backstage was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently suspended by Fox in June 2020, later being canceled as a series entirely by 2021.[268]
All Elite Wrestling (2021–2023)
[edit]Initial debut and AEW World Champion (2021–2022)
[edit]_01.jpg)
On August 20, 2021, Punk made his debut for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) at The First Dance event on Rampage, challenging Darby Allin to a match at the All Out pay-per-view event. This marked Punk's official return to professional wrestling after a seven-year retirement.[269] Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer said, "Punk's appearance in his home city drew one of the most amazing audience reactions to a pro wrestler in U.S. history. The reaction was compared to Montreal's reaction to Hulk Hogan in 2002 shortly after his WWE return, or the reaction to Triple H in Madison Square Garden a few months before that upon his return from a torn quad."[270] Punk won the match against Allin at All Out on September 5.[271] Following a brief feud with Eddie Kingston, whom Punk defeated at Full Gear on November 13, Punk experienced his first loss in AEW to MJF in a singles match on the February 2, 2022 episode of Dynamite after months of feuding between the two.[272][273][274][275] Punk defeated MJF on March 6 at Revolution in a Dog Collar match.[276]
At Double or Nothing on May 29, Punk defeated Adam Page to win the AEW World Championship.[277] Five days after winning the title, Punk announced on the June 3 episode of Rampage that he was taking a hiatus from competing to recover from a foot injury, but that he would remain champion.[278] Jon Moxley was crowned as interim champion in Punk's place at AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door on June 26.[279] At the Quake by the Lake special episode of Dynamite on August 10, Punk made his return and confronted Moxley, igniting a title dispute.[280] A match to determine the undisputed AEW World Champion took place on the August 24 episode of Dynamite, which Moxley won quickly.[281] After accepting Moxley's open challenge for anyone to face him on September 4 at All Out, Punk defeated Moxley at All Out to win the AEW World Championship for the second time.[282][283]
Suspensions and departure (2022–2023)
[edit]"My relationship with Scott Colton ended long before I paid all of his bills. I have every receipt, I have every invoice, I have every email. I have the email where he says, and I quote; 'I agree to go our separate ways. I will get my own lawyer and you do not have to pay anymore.' That's an email that I have, and the only reason the public did not see it is because when I finally had to countersue him through discovery, we discovered he shared a bank account with his mother. That's a fact. And as soon as we discovered that fact and we subpoenaed old Marsha, he sent the email; 'Oh, can we please drop all this?'. Now, it's 2022, I haven't been friends with this guy since at least 2014, late 2013, and the fact that I have to sit up here because we have irresponsible people who call themselves EVPs and couldn't fucking manage a Target, and they spread lies and bullshit, and, and put into the media that I got somebody fired when I have fuck all to do with [Colton]. Want nothing to do with him. Do not care where he works, where he doesn't work, where he eats, where he sleeps, and the fact that I have to get up here and do this in 2022 is fucking embarrassing. And if y'all are at fault, fuck you. If you're not, I apologize. But, what did I ever do in this world to deserve an empty-headed fucking dumbfuck like "Hangman" Adam Page to go out on national television and fucking go in to business for himself, for what? What did I do, Dave? What did I ever do? Didn't do a goddamn thing."
During the All Out post-event media scrum, Punk addressed rumors that he had attempted to get Colt Cabana fired from AEW, accused AEW's executive vice presidents and wrestlers Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) of spreading those rumors and leaking them to wrestling media, and referenced a segment in which he says Page went "into business for himself" prior to their match in May.[284][285][286] Omega and The Young Bucks, along with head of AEW legal, Megha Parekh, approached Punk about his comments backstage, which led to a legitimate altercation. Punk, Omega, and The Young Bucks all received consequent suspensions pending investigation.[287] Later that week, the AEW World Championship was announced as having been vacated.[288][289] Around the same time, Punk underwent surgery to repair his left triceps after tearing it during his match at All Out.[290] On his conduct at the media scrum, Punk later said he "didn't approach it in the right manner" and that he was "disappointed" and "hurt", as he had sensed that he had just suffered another injury.[286]
After a nine-month absence, Punk made his return to AEW on the premiere episode of Collision on June 17, 2023, teaming with FTR (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood) to defeat Samoa Joe, Jay White, and Juice Robinson in a six-man tag team match.[291] That same month, he entered the men's Owen Hart Cup tournament, defeating Satoshi Kojima in the first round at Forbidden Door.[292][293] Punk won over Joe in the semifinals and lost to Ricky Starks in the final round on July 15 after Starks grabbed the ropes for leverage to get the pin.[294][295] On the July 29 edition of Collision, Punk unveiled the AEW World Championship belt that he had won in September 2022, declaring himself the real world champion and stated that he still rightfully held the title since he was never defeated for it. He then spray-painted his signature "X" symbol over the belt.[296][297] Punk successfully defended the "Real World Championship" against Starks on the August 5 Collision episode, with Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat serving as the special outside enforcer.[298] At All In: London on August 27, he successfully defended the "Real World Championship" against Joe in what would be his final AEW match.[299][300][301]
After All In: London, it was widely reported that Punk had been involved in a legitimate backstage altercation with Jack Perry regarding comments Perry made during his match earlier in the show, itself a reference to Punk denying Perry's request to use real glass in his segments on Collision. After an investigation into the altercation was conducted by AEW, Punk was terminated from his AEW contract for just cause on September 2 under the unanimous recommendation of both the AEW discipline committee and outside legal counsel. Punk's termination was announced on X by AEW's official account, and was also announced during the opening of that night's episode of Collision, where AEW president and CEO Tony Khan stated that "the incident was regrettable and it endangered people backstage". He later stated, "Never in all [this] time have I ever felt until last Sunday that my security, my safety, my life was in danger at a wrestling show. I don't think anybody should feel that way at work, I don't think the people I work with should feel that way, and I had to make a very difficult choice today."[302][303] Punk later contradicted Khan's claim of firing him for just cause, stating in an April 2024 interview on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani that he initially wanted to leave AEW entirely rather than have Collision be a show revolving around him and not the Elite, and that after the altercation with Perry, he told Khan to his face, "You're a fucking clown, I quit." Punk also further criticized AEW stating that it is "not a real business" and "not about making money". Punk also went on to claim that no one from AEW had spoken to him in six months after the altercation at All Out in September 2022, and was forced to pay for his own surgery and do recovery on his own.[304] Footage of the backstage altercation with Perry was shown on the April 10, 2024, episode of Dynamite as way to further the feud between The Young Bucks and FTR, with the latters being real-life friends with Punk.[305]
Return to WWE
[edit]Feuds with Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins (2023–2025)
[edit]
At the conclusion of Survivor Series: WarGames in the Chicago metropolitan area on November 25, 2023, Punk made a surprise return to WWE in his first appearance in WWE since 2014 (discounting his appearances on Fox's WWE Backstage in 2019).[306] According to reporters present at the event, his return was greeted by "one of the loudest pops of all time".[307] He signed with the Raw brand on the December 11 episode of WWE Raw, where he announced his entry into the Royal Rumble match.[308] Punk's first matches back with WWE were against "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, during the WWE Live Holiday Tour, first at Madison Square Garden in New York City on December 26, then at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California on December 30, which were both won by Punk.[309][310]
On January 27, 2024, at the Royal Rumble, Punk wrestled his first televised WWE match since 2014, entering at number 27 during the Royal Rumble match, in which he was the runner-up after being eliminated by Cody Rhodes.[311] During the match, Punk tore his right triceps, rendering him unable to compete at WrestleMania XL, thus forcing the cancellation of a planned match between Punk and World Heavyweight Champion Seth "Freakin" Rollins at the event.[312][313] The injury was later turned into a storyline between Punk and Drew McIntyre, with McIntyre continuously mocking Punk for causing his injury.[314] Punk retaliated by attacking McIntyre after the latter won the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XL in April, allowing Damian Priest to successfully cash in his Money in the Bank contract,[315] at Clash at the Castle: Scotland in McIntyre's home country in June,[316] and at Money in the Bank in July, when McIntyre attempted to cash in after winning the eponymous ladder match.[317][318] Punk and McIntyre then had a trilogy of matches, the first at SummerSlam with Rollins as the special guest referee where Punk lost (after he attacked Rollins, believing he was trying to sabotage him),[319] the second at Bash in Berlin where Punk won in a strap match,[320] and the third and final match at Bad Blood, where Punk defeated McIntyre in a Hell in a Cell match, ending their nearly ten-month trilogy feud.[321] This storyline received critical acclaim, winning Best Feud awards by Wrestling Observer Newsletter, ESPN, Pro Wrestling Illustrated, and Sports Illustrated; the Hell in a Cell match between them was also highly acclaimed, being rated five stars by Wrestling Observer Newsletter.[322][323][324]
After a short hiatus, Punk made his return at the conclusion of the November 22 episode of SmackDown, as the fifth member of Roman Reigns' team at Survivor Series: WarGames alongside the returning Paul Heyman.[325] At the event on November 30, Punk, Reigns, Sami Zayn, and The Usos defeated Bronson Reed and The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa) in a WarGames match.[326] On the debut episode of Raw on Netflix, on January 6, 2025, Punk wrestled his first match on Raw in almost eleven years, where he defeated Seth Rollins.[327]
At the Royal Rumble on February 1, Punk entered the titular match at #24 and made it to the final four before being eliminated by Logan Paul and getting into an altercation with Rollins and Roman Reigns, both of whom he had eliminated.[328] At Elimination Chamber: Toronto, he lost the Elimination Chamber match to John Cena after being attacked by an already eliminated Rollins.[329] At WrestleMania 41, Punk wrestled in his first WrestleMania main event when he faced, along with Paul Heyman, Rollins and Reigns in a triple thread match. Rollins defeated Punk and Reigns following a double betrayal by Paul Heyman, who aligned himself with Rollins in the process.[330]
After being taken out by Rollins and Bron Breakker on the April 21 episode of Raw,[331] Punk returned on the May 5 episode of Raw, costing Rollins the World Heavyweight Championship.[332] On the June 9 episode of Raw, Punk confronted the now villainous Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena for a title match, which was scheduled for Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia on June 28,[333] At the event, Punk failed to win the title from Cena after interference from Rollins.[334]
World Heavyweight Champion (2025–present)
[edit]On the July 14 episode of Raw, Punk won a gauntlet match for the right to challenge Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam.[335] In the main event of Night 1 of SummerSlam on August 2, Punk defeated Gunther to win the title. However, he immediately lost the title to Rollins, who cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase, ending Punk's reign at only five minutes and nine seconds, marking the shortest reign in the title's history.[336] At Clash in Paris on August 31, Punk failed to regain the title from Rollins in a fatal four-way match also involving Jey Uso and LA Knight after interference from Rollins' wife, Becky Lynch.[337] At Wrestlepalooza on September 20, Punk teamed with his wife AJ Lee to defeat Rollins and Lynch in a mixed tag team match.[338] On the October 13 episode of Raw, Punk defeated Knight and Uso in a triple threat match to earn another opportunity at Rollins’ World Heavyweight Championship.[339] After Rollins vacated the title due to injury, Punk defeated Jey Uso at Saturday Night's Main Event on November 1 to win the vacant title.[340]
Professional wrestling persona
[edit]Punk adopted his real-life following of the straight edge movement as a major attribute of his professional wrestling character. The character utilizes different elements of Punk's personality and beliefs of the straight edge movement dependent on his alignment. While portraying a crowd favorite, Punk's character tends to be that of Punk's normal personality,[19] largely indifferent to others who drink alcohol, smoke tobacco, partake in recreational drug use or have promiscuous sexual behavior, but emphasizing the social discipline involved with personally abstaining from these behaviors. Conversely, his villainous personality tends to be that of one who is hardline or militant straight edge, exemplifying the elitist attitudes and superiority complexes – defined by Punk's common mantra during villainous-themed promos that because he is straight edge, he is "better than you".[19] Punk performs the straight edge symbol of crossing his arms in an X formation while having the letter X written on the back of his hands, usually drawn on his wrist tape. During his WWE career, Punk also incorporated a belligerently anti-establishment and anti-corporate attitude into his persona.[341]
Originally, the initials CM in his ring name represented the phrase "Chick Magnet", the name of the tag team he was in as a backyard wrestler.[19][20][21] However, Punk later changed CM into a pseudo-acronym, declaring that it has no meaning,[23] though when asked since he has taken to making up meanings that fit the initials, going so far as to make up long stories to explain the origins that do not match the actual origin story at all.[23] Since beginning this practice, Punk has stated CM stands among others for "Chick Magnet",[342] "Cookie Monster",[343] "Crooked Moonsault",[21] "Chuck Mosley",[21] "Charles Montgomery",[21] "Charles Manson",[21] "Charlie Murphy",[344] and "Chicago Made".[345]
During his entrance, Punk yells "It's clobberin' time!",[346] a reference to New York City hardcore punk band Sick of It All who wrote a song with the same name and Marvel's fictional character The Thing.[13] As his entrance theme, Punk uses the song "Cult of Personality" by Living Colour, with which he is often associated.[269][347]
An integral part of Punk is the numerous tattoos that adorn his body, some of which have become symbols associated with Punk and mantras and declarations that have been integrated into his gimmick. The tattoos as a whole, due to their large quantity and variety, have also become an attribute identifiable to Punk.[348] The most important of the individual tattoos in Punk's character – whether through association, symbol, or mantra – are the following:
- A Pepsi Globe logo on his left shoulder that inspired the names of two of his signature moves. It also became a symbol of Punk himself, who wore the logo on his ring gear in the independent circuit as well as a slightly modified Pepsi logo being used as part of his TitanTron entrance video.[349] Punk, a keen Pepsi drinker, chose to receive a Pepsi tattoo to emphasize his straight edge beliefs.[23] The tattoo is also a reference to former Minor Threat guitarist Brian Baker, who had a Coca-Cola tattoo and explained this by saying "I like Coca-Cola". When people inquire about Punk's Pepsi tattoo, he often replies "I like Pepsi" in a similar fashion.[19]
- The words "Straight Edge" are spelled out on Punk's stomach.[350] This is one of his oldest tattoos[348] and he has referred to it as his identity.[351]
- A sleeve tattoo on his left arm that reads "luck is for losers" and features numerous good luck symbols, including a rabbit's foot, four-leaf clover and a horseshoe.[352] The tattoo also features four ace playing cards as a tribute to trainer Ace Steel.[352]
- The phrase "No gimmicks needed" on the back of his left hand, a tribute to deceased wrestler Chris Candido.[353]
- The words "Drug Free" across his knuckles ("Drug" on his right knuckles and "Free" on his left).[350]
- His younger sister's jersey number (31) behind his left ear, surrounded by stars, each of which represents his siblings as a way to bond away from home.[354][355]
- The Cobra Command logo (G.I. Joe's enemy) on his right shoulder. Punk is known for his love of comic books, considering them along with jazz and professional wrestling as three of the original arts that America has given to the world.[354]
Legacy
[edit]Punk is regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time,[356][357] and one of the most influential performers of his generation.[358][359] He is credited with being one of the first independent wrestlers to have a successful run in WWE, which in turn opened the door for other independent wrestlers to both join and succeed in the company.[360][361][362] Several wrestlers such as Seth Rollins,[363] Rhea Ripley,[364] and Adam Cole have publicly cited Punk as an inspiration or influence on their careers.[365]
Punk has also been hailed as one of the greatest speakers in wrestling history,[366] with his in-ring promos drawing positive comparisons to WWE's adult-oriented Attitude Era.[367] His "Pipebomb" soliloquy from June 2011 is considered one of the most important promos in the history of professional wrestling.[368][369] Although much of his time as a top star in WWE was during its heavily watered-down PG Era, Erik Beaston of Bleacher Report wrote that "Punk turned the company on its head for a few short years and gave fans a taste of what an alternative to the advertiser-obsessed promotion could look like."[370]
Mixed martial arts career
[edit]| CM Punk | |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Division | Welterweight[371] |
| Reach | 73 in (185 cm)[371] |
| Team | Roufusport |
| Teachers | Head coach: Duke Roufus Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Daniel Wanderley[372] |
| Rank | Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Daniel Wanderley[373] |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 2 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Losses | 1 |
| By submission | 1 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Ultimate Fighting Championship (2014–2021)
[edit]At UFC 181, on December 6, 2014, Punk announced that he had signed a multi-fight contract with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[374][375] When asked if he would compete under his ring name or birth name, he told the Las Vegas Sun: "I've come this far with CM Punk. That's what people know. I'm trying to stick with that. I'm not shying away from it. I'm not ashamed of it."[376] His UFC profile listed him as his ring name.[371]
In January 2015, Punk began training under Duke Roufus at Roufusport MMA Academy.[377][378] In June 2015, Punk moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to be closer to the Roufusport gym while still retaining his home in Chicago.[379] Later, it was announced that Punk would compete in the welterweight division.[380] In October 2015, Roufus announced that Punk had suffered a shoulder injury, delaying his UFC debut until the next calendar year.[381] On February 6, 2016, it was announced that Punk would face Mickey Gall in his first professional mixed martial arts (MMA) contest, but he was diagnosed with a herniated disc and underwent surgery days later.[382]
Punk's UFC and MMA debut against Mickey Gall took place on September 10, 2016, at UFC 203.[383] The event was held at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, the same venue where Punk left WWE and retired from professional wrestling.[384] Punk was taken down immediately and lost via rear naked choke submission early in the first round.[385][386] He was paid a disclosed $500,000 (equivalent to $655,089 in 2024).[387]
Punk's second professional bout took place at UFC 225 on June 9, 2018, against Mike Jackson, in his hometown of Chicago. Punk lost the one-sided fight via unanimous decision.[388] After the bout, UFC president Dana White said that both Punk and Jackson would probably not fight for the UFC again, and urged Punk to "call it a wrap".[389] In 2019, Punk stated that he wasn't seriously considering a UFC return. Though he believed White would permit him a third fight, Punk said if he were to fight again it would be at a lower level, citing his 0-2 professional record.[390] Three years after the bout, it was made public that the result was overturned to a no contest after Jackson tested positive for marijuana.[391]
Despite his inactivity and statements by White, Punk was never formally removed from the UFC roster, or released from his contract, and remained a part of the drug testing pool for the UFC until pulling out in December 2020. In August 2021, Punk notified the UFC he would be retiring from MMA after he returned to professional wrestling earlier that month.[392] CM Punk ended his MMA run with a record of 0-1 (1 NC).[393] Punk's MMA career has been widely panned by MMA fans and personalities.[394][395][396][397]
Cage Fury Fighting Championships (2018–present)
[edit]On November 8, 2018, Punk signed with Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC), a UFC affiliate, as a commentator. His first event was CFFC 71 on December 14 and it was streamed live on UFC Fight Pass.[398]
Personal life
[edit]Brooks began dating fellow WWE wrestler April Mendez, better known as AJ Lee, in August 2013,[399] and they married on June 13, 2014.[400] They have a rescue dog named Larry and split their time between homes in Los Angeles[401][402] and his native Chicago.[403] Brooks is a lifelong fan of various sports teams from his hometown, especially the Chicago Blackhawks and the Chicago Cubs.[404] He is straight edge and an atheist.[405][406] He also identifies as a pro-choice feminist[407] and a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement,[408] LGBTQ rights,[409] and Palestine.[410][411] Brooks is a fan of hardcore and punk music, he has stated that some of his favorite bands are Rancid, H2O, Madball and Against Me.[412]
In February 2015, WWE doctor Christopher Amann filed a defamation lawsuit against Brooks and Scott Colton over Brooks' allegations of medical malpractice on an episode of Colton's podcast.[413][414] Amann sought roughly $4,000,000 (equivalent to $5,306,000 in 2024) in compensation and an undisclosed amount in punitive damages.[415] WWE issued a statement and video in support of Amann.[416][417] The case went to trial in 2018, where a jury ruled in favor of Brooks and Colton.[418] In August 2018, Colton filed a lawsuit against Brooks, alleging breach of contract and fraud due to Brooks' alleged agreement and later refusal to pay Colton's legal fees for the Amann suit. Colton sought $200,000 (equivalent to $250,437 in 2024) in damages and an additional $1 million (equivalent to $1,252,000 in 2024) in punitive damages.[419] Brooks filed a counterclaim against Colton in June 2019, for $600,000 (equivalent to $737,915 in 2024) and additional fees.[420] Both lawsuits were settled and dismissed in September 2019. According to PWInsider, the settlement involved no financial compensation.[421]
On September 5, 2025, Brooks threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Chicago Cubs game.[422][423]
Other media
[edit]Acting and appearances
[edit]
In 2008, Brooks appeared as the Sports Grand Marshal of the nationally televised McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade in downtown Chicago.[424] He reprised this role in 2012.[425]
Brooks has appeared alongside his friend and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach Rener Gracie in several episodes of the YouTube series Gracie Breakdown.[426] He has also worked with Nerdist Industries,[427] including hosting an ongoing series titled Grammar Slam, explaining grammatical mistakes in messages from professional wrestling fans and berating them.[428]
Brooks was the cover athlete for the video game WWE '13.[429] In 2015, he was featured in Frank Turner's "The Next Storm" music video.[430]
As an actor, Brooks starred in the 2019 horror film Girl on the Third Floor.[431] Dennis Harvey of Variety and Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune respectively described his performance as "a fun star turn that easily carries most of the film" and "solid if a little unvarying".[432][433] Brooks portrayed wrestler Ricky Rabies in the professional wrestling drama series Heels (2021–2023).[434]
Writing
[edit]Brooks wrote the introduction for the hardcover edition of Marvel Comics' 2012 crossover event Avengers vs. X-Men[435][346] and described the opportunity as a "geek dream come true".[436]
In 2013, Brooks wrote a foreword for his friend and ex-girlfriend Natalie Slater's cookbook Bake and Destroy: Good Food for Bad Vegans.[437]
In February 2015, Marvel Comics' Thor Annual No. 1, partly written by Brooks, was released.[438] He cowrote "The Most Cursed", which appeared in Vertigo Comics' Strange Sports Stories No. 3 in May 2015.[439] Brooks also cowrote Marvel Comics' Drax ongoing series.[440] Brooks wrote a one-shot of Marvel's Master of Kung Fu, which was published in November 2017.[441]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Queens of the Ring | Himself | [442] | |
| 2015 | The Flintstones & WWE: Stone Age SmackDown! | CM Punkrock | Direct-to-video film; voice only | [443] |
| 2019 | Girl on the Third Floor | Don Koch | [431] | |
| Rabid | Billy | [444] | ||
| 2021 | Jakob's Wife | Deputy Colton | [445] | |
| 2025 | Night Patrol | TBA | [446] | |
| 2025 | Zootopia 2 | Zebro Zebrowski | Voice role | [447] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Monster Garage | Himself | Episode: "Box Truck Wrestling Car" | [448] |
| 2006 | Ghost Hunters | Himself | Episode: "Live Halloween Special: Stanley Hotel" | [449] |
| 2011 | Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Himself | 1 episode | [450] |
| 2012 | Late Night with Jimmy Fallon | Himself | 1 episode | [451] |
| 2012–2014 | Talking Dead | Himself | 3 episodes | [452] |
| 2014–2015 | Maron | Himself | 2 episodes | [453] |
| 2016 | The Evolution of Punk | Himself | Documentary mini-series; 4 episodes | [454] |
| 2017 | The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros | Himself | Reality competition | [455] |
| 2018 | Ultimate Beastmaster | Himself | United States co-host; season 3 | [456] |
| 2019–2020 | WWE Backstage | Himself | 5 episodes | [457] |
| 2021–2023 | Heels | Ricky Rabies | Recurring; 6 episodes | [434] |
| 2022–2023 | Mayans M.C. | Paul | Recurring (seasons 4–5); 4 episodes | [458] |
| 2025 | WWE LFG | Himself | Guest mentor; 1 episode | [459] |
| 2025 | Revival | Anthony "Tony" Check | Recurring role | [460] |
Video games
[edit]| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 | Video game debut |
| 2008 | WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 | |
| 2009 | WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 | |
| 2010 | WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 | |
| 2011 | WWE All Stars | |
| WWE '12 | ||
| 2012 | WWE WrestleFest | Downloadable content |
| WWE '13 | Cover athlete | |
| 2013 | WWE 2K14 | |
| 2014 | WWE 2K15 | |
| 2016 | EA Sports UFC 2 | |
| 2018 | EA Sports UFC 3 | |
| 2020 | EA Sports UFC 4 | |
| 2023 | AEW Fight Forever | |
| 2024 | WWE 2K24 | Downloadable content |
| 2025 | WWE 2K25 |
Luchas de Apuestas record
[edit]| Winner (wager) | Loser (wager) | Location | Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rey Mysterio (stable pledge) | CM Punk (hair) | Detroit, Michigan | Over the Limit | May 23, 2010 | [461] |
Mixed martial arts record
[edit]| 2 matches | 0 wins | 1 loss |
| By submission | 0 | 1 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NC | 0–1 (1) | Mike Jackson | NC (overturned) | UFC 225 | June 9, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | Originally a unanimous decision win for Jackson; overturned after he tested positive for marijuana. |
| Loss | 0–1 | Mickey Gall | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 203 | September 10, 2016 | 1 | 2:14 | Cleveland, Ohio, United States |
Championships and accomplishments
[edit]
- All Elite Wrestling
- AEW World Championship (2 times)[462]
- "Real World Championship" (1 time, unrecognised)[463][464][465]
- AEW Dynamite Awards (2 times)
- The Baltimore Sun
- Feud of the Year (2009) – vs. Jeff Hardy[466]
- Cauliflower Alley Club
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award (2023)[467]
- ESPN
- Best Feud/Storyline of the Year (2024) – vs. Drew McIntyre[323]
- Debut of the Year (2023)[468]
- Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South
- International Wrestling Cartel
- Lunatic Wrestling Federation
- LWF Intercontinental Championship (2 times)[475]
- Mid-American Wrestling
- New York Post
- Best Return/Debut of the Year (2023)[479]
- NWA Cyberspace
- NWA Cyberspace Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Julio Dinero[480][481]
- Ohio Valley Wrestling
- OVW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[482][483]
- OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Seth Skyfire[484][485]
- OVW Television Championship (1 time)[486][487]
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Comeback of the Year (2021)[488]
- Feud of the Year (2011) – vs. John Cena[489]
- Feud of the Year (2022) – vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman[490]
- Feud of the Year (2024) – vs. Drew McIntyre
- Match of the Year (2011) – vs. John Cena at Money in the Bank[489][491]
- Most Hated Wrestler of the Year (2012)[489]
- Most Popular Wrestler of the Year (2011, 2021)[489][488]
- Wrestler of the Year (2011, 2012)[489]
- Ranked No. 1 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2012[492][493]
- Revolution Championship Wrestling
- RCW Championship (1 time)[494]
- Revolver
- Golden Gods Award for Most Metal Athlete (2012)[495]
- Ring of Honor
- ROH World Championship (1 time)[496]
- ROH Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Colt Cabana[497]
- ROH Hall of Fame (Class of 2022)[46]
- Sports Illustrated
- St. Paul Championship Wrestling/Steel Domain Wrestling
- World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE
- WWE Championship (2 times)[501][502][e][504]
- World Heavyweight Championship (current version) (2 times, current)[505]
- World Heavyweight Championship (2002–2013 version) (3 times)[506][507][508][509]
- ECW World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[510][511]
- WWE Intercontinental Championship (1 time)[512][513]
- World Tag Team Championship (1 time)[514] – with Kofi Kingston[515]
- Money in the Bank (2008, 2009)[516][517]
- WWE Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender's Tournament (2008)[518]
- Brisbane Cup (2011)[519][520]
- 19th Triple Crown Champion[103]
- Slammy Award (11 times)
- Despicable Me (2010) – Harassing Rey Mysterio and his family[521]
- Extreme Moment of the Year (2013) – For exacting revenge on Paul Heyman at Hell in a Cell[522]
- OMG Moment of the Year (2008) – Cashing in Money in the Bank to win the World Heavyweight Championship[523]
- OMG Moment of the Year (2024) – Returning to WWE at Survivor Series: WarGames[524]
- "Pipe Bomb" of the Year (2011)[525]
- Return of the Year (2024) – At Survivor Series: WarGames[524]
- Rivalry of the Year (2025) – vs. Drew McIntyre
- Shocker of the Year (2009) – Forcing Jeff Hardy out of the WWE after steel cage match victory[526]
- Superstar of the Year (2011)[525]
- T-shirt of the Year (2011) – "Best in the World"[527]
- Match of the Year (2025) – Hell in a Cell match vs. Drew McIntyre at Bad Blood
- WrestleCrap
- Gooker Award (2023) – CM Punk on AEW (tied with Father James Mitchell doing drugs on PPV)[528]
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Best Box Office Draw (2021)[529]
- Best Gimmick (2009, 2011)[530][531]
- Best on Interviews (2011, 2012)[531][532]
- Feud of the Year (2009) – vs. Jeff Hardy[530]
- Feud of the Year (2011) – vs. John Cena[531]
- Feud of the Year (2024) – vs. Drew McIntyre[322]
- Most Charismatic (2021)[529]
- Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic (2012) – Exploiting Jerry Lawler's legitimate heart attack[533]
- Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic (2013) – Exploiting the death of Paul Bearer[533]
- Pro Wrestling Match of the Year (2011) – vs. John Cena at Money in the Bank[531]
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 2025)[534]
Notes
[edit]- ^ This ranking does not acknowledge Antonio Inoki's championship victory in November 1979, which is not recognised by WWE.
- ^ This refers to the version of the championship active between 2002 and 2013.
- ^ This refers to the version of the championship active between 1971 and 2010.
- ^ This refers to the version of the championship active since 2023.
- ^ Punk held the title concurrently with Rey Mysterio and John Cena during his first reign. After defeating Cena, Punk became the undisputed champion, but he was not recognized by WWE as having won the title a second time.[503]
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- ^ "CM Punk's first Intercontinental Championship reign". WWE. January 20, 2009. Archived from the original on April 1, 2012. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (January 19, 2009). "WWE Intercontinental Championship". Cagematch – The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
- ^ "Punk and Kingston's first World Tag Team Championship reign". WWE. October 28, 2008. Archived from the original on August 31, 2012. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (October 27, 2008). "World Tag Team Championship". Cagematch – The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (April 5, 2009). "WWE WrestleMania 25 – "The 25th Anniversary Of WrestleMania"". Cagematch – The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (March 30, 2008). "WWE WrestleMania 24 – "The Biggest WrestleMania Under The Sun"". Cagematch – The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (December 14, 2008). "WWE Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender's Tournament (2008)". Cagematch – The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
- ^ "411MANIA". WWE House Show Results 07.05.11 – Brisbane, Australia.
- ^ Paglino, Nick (July 5, 2011). "WWE House Show Results (7/5): Brisbane, Australia".
- ^ Adkins, Greg (December 13, 2010). "Saluting the Slammys". WWE. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
- ^ "2013 Slammy Award winners". WWE. December 8, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ "2008 Slammy Awards". WWE. December 8, 2008. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
- ^ a b Carey, Ian (April 7, 2024). "Full list of 2024 WWE Slammy Award winners". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ a b "2011 Slammy Award Winners". WWE. December 12, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
- ^ "2009 Slammy Awards". WWE. December 14, 2009. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
- ^ "WWE.com Exclusive Slammy Awards 2011". WWE. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
- ^ "And the Winner of the 2023 Gooker Award Is... | the Worst of Misc".
- ^ a b Meltzer, Dave (February 18, 2022). "February 21, 2022 Observer Newsletter: 2021 Awards issue, Cody and Brandi Rhodes leave AEW". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
- ^ a b Meltzer, Dave (January 27, 2010). "2009 Awards Issue, Possible biggest wrestling news story of 2010". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California. ISSN 1083-9593.
- ^ a b c d Meltzer, Dave (January 30, 2012). "Gigantic year-end awards issue, best and worst in all categories plus UFC on FX 1, death of Savannah Jack, ratings, tons and tons of news". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California. ISSN 1083-9593.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (January 23, 2013). "The 2012 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Annual Awards Issue". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California. ISSN 1083-9593.
- ^ a b Morris, Dan (October 12, 2022). "Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Last 10 "Most Disgusting Promotional Tactics", Explained". TheSportster.com.
- ^ Thomas, Jeremy (November 14, 2025). "Cody Rhodes Comments On Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame Induction". 411mania. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
External links
[edit]
- CM Punk's profile at WWE , Cagematch , Wrestlingdata , Internet Wrestling Database
- Professional MMA record for CM Punk from Sherdog
- Phil Brooks at IMDb
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CM Punk
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Childhood and family background
Phillip Jack Brooks, better known by his ring name CM Punk, was born on October 26, 1978, in Chicago, Illinois.[14] He grew up as the fifth of six children in a working-class family, with his father working as an engineer and his mother serving as a homemaker.[15][16] The family resided primarily in Lockport, a suburb southwest of Chicago, after his birth in the city.[17] Brooks' childhood was marked by significant family challenges, including his father's ongoing struggle with alcoholism, which created a turbulent home environment but was not abusive.[18] His mother, Harriet Kowalski, played a central role in raising the children amid these difficulties, though the household dynamics were strained by financial and emotional pressures common in their socioeconomic context.[16] Additionally, his mother's bipolar disorder contributed to the instability during his formative years.[19] Living in the greater Chicago area exposed Brooks to urban influences and hardships, shaping his resilient worldview in a blue-collar setting.[20] Outside of these family circumstances, he developed early passions for comic books, which he avidly collected and read, and punk rock music, drawn to its rebellious ethos and anti-establishment themes.[21][22] These interests provided an escape and later informed his personal philosophy, including his commitment to the straight-edge lifestyle abstaining from alcohol and drugs.[23]Introduction to wrestling
During his childhood in the late 1980s, CM Punk, born Phillip Jack Brooks, discovered professional wrestling through watching World Wrestling Federation (WWF) programming, which captivated him as a young fan in Lockport, Illinois.[17] He particularly idolized larger-than-life figures, whose personas and styles inspired his early imagination of the industry. These WWF stars fueled his passion, turning casual viewership into a lifelong obsession despite a challenging family environment.[24] Punk attended Lockport Township High School, where he graduated in 1996 while balancing academics with his growing interest in wrestling.[17] He channeled his energy toward dreaming of a professional career inspired by the WWF icons he admired.[25] In the early 1990s, as a teenager, Punk co-founded the Lunatic Wrestling Federation, a backyard promotion in the Chicago area where he began informal training and adopted the ring name CM Punk.[26] He soon transitioned to more structured instruction at the Steel Dominion wrestling school, training under Ace Steel, who helped refine his foundational skills in a gritty, no-frills environment typical of early independent training facilities.[27] This period marked the shift from fan to aspiring performer, laying the groundwork for his entry into the professional scene.Professional wrestling career
Independent circuit beginnings (1997–2005)
CM Punk's entry into professional wrestling came after years of fandom and backyard matches, leading him to seek formal training in 1999 at the Steel Domain Wrestling school in Chicago, Illinois, under instructors Ace Steel, Danny Dominion, and Kevin Quinn. This rigorous preparation marked a shift from amateur experimentation to structured development, emphasizing technical proficiency and in-ring storytelling. By late 1999, Punk had transitioned to competing in regional promotions, debuting professionally on October 17 in St. Paul Championship Wrestling against his trainer Ace Steel, where he began honing his agile, submission-based style.[28] Punk quickly gravitated toward the Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South (IWA Mid-South), a gritty Midwest promotion known for its intense, hardcore-leaning matches under promoter Ian Rotten. His debut there occurred shortly after his professional debut against veteran Buddy Landel, establishing him as a promising newcomer willing to endure the promotion's demanding environment. Over the next few years, Punk engaged in pivotal feuds that showcased his versatility, including rivalries with Chris Hero and Colt Cabana, which highlighted his technical grappling and high-flying risks. These bouts, often exceeding 20 minutes, helped him gain respect among peers and fans for his endurance and innovative offense, such as the Pepsi Plunge diving elbow drop. In 2001, Punk captured the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Championship twice—first on June 9 by defeating Mark Wolf in Charlestown, Indiana, and again on November 3 against Tarek the Great—before being stripped due to inactivity, demonstrating his adaptability in the cruiserweight division. Later that year, on December 5, he won the IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship for the first time by overcoming Hero in Indianapolis, holding the title until March 2, 2002, when he lost it to Eddie Guerrero in a high-profile three-way match also involving Rey Mysterio; this 86-day reign solidified his status as a top contender.[29][30] In 2002, Punk co-founded the Second City Saints stable alongside Colt Cabana and Chris Hero within IWA Mid-South, a Chicago-based alliance that emphasized loyalty and Midwestern pride while feuding with established heels like Raven. This group provided a platform for Punk to refine his mic skills and leadership, blending tag team dynamics with solo pursuits. Beyond IWA, Punk expanded his reach through early tours on other independents, including NWA No Limits in 2004, where he delivered standout performances such as a best-of-three-falls victory over AJ Styles and a hard-fought win against Arik Cannon, further building his reputation across the circuit. During this period, Punk began cultivating his straight-edge persona, publicly embracing a drug- and alcohol-free lifestyle influenced by the punk rock scene, which added a personal, anti-authority edge to his character and differentiated him in an era dominated by edgier gimmicks.[31][32][22]Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2002–2004)
CM Punk made his debut in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) on September 18, 2002, during the promotion's weekly pay-per-view series, where he competed as part of the X Division, TNA's showcase for high-flying, athletic wrestlers under 225 pounds.[33] In his first appearance at NWA-TNA PPV #13, Punk teamed with fellow Second City Saints member Ace Steel in a tag team elimination match against America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm), highlighting his technical prowess and role in elevating the division's fast-paced style.[34] Over the following months, he engaged in several X Division bouts, including a tag team loss to AJ Styles and D'Lo Brown alongside Jason Cross on May 28, 2003, at NWA-TNA PPV #46, which underscored TNA's emphasis on innovative, no-limits matches as a contrast to WWE's larger-than-life entertainment.[35] In mid-2003, Punk aligned with Raven and Julio Dinero to form The Gathering stable, sparking a personal feud rooted in Punk's straight-edge lifestyle—abstaining from alcohol, drugs, and tobacco—clashing with Raven's hedonistic, hardcore persona.[36] This rivalry, which briefly overlapped with Punk's Ring of Honor commitments, manifested in intense multi-man matches within TNA, such as The Gathering's steel cage clash against Abyss, Kevin Northcutt, and Joe Legend on December 17, 2003, at NWA-TNA PPV #75, where Punk dramatically betrayed Raven, escalating the philosophical conflict.[37] The storyline positioned The Gathering as antagonists to TNA's established hierarchy, indirectly tying into NWA World Heavyweight Championship pursuits as Raven chased the title, with Punk's involvement amplifying the stable's challenge to champions like Jeff Jarrett.[38] Punk also continued tag team work with Second City Saints affiliates in TNA, including partnerships that reinforced his Chicago roots and technical tag style amid the X Division's chaos.[33] However, his tenure ended amid contract disputes in early 2004, exacerbated by TNA's abrupt severance of ties with Ring of Honor following co-founder Rob Feinstein's resignation over past allegations, leading to Punk's release on February 25, 2004.[33] During his time, Punk's contributions to the X Division helped solidify TNA's early identity as a credible alternative to WWE, prioritizing athleticism and storytelling over scripted spectacle, which drew indie talent and fans seeking a fresh wrestling product.[36]Ring of Honor tenure (2002–2006)
CM Punk made his Ring of Honor (ROH) debut on October 26, 2002, at the Rebirth: Chicago event, where he teamed with longtime friend Colt Cabana to defeat Danny Daniels and Super Dragon in a tag team match.[39] This appearance marked the beginning of Punk's ascent in the promotion, as he quickly established himself as a key figure through intense rivalries that highlighted his technical prowess and verbal intensity. Early in his tenure, Punk engaged in high-profile feuds, including a notable series against Austin Aries, which built toward title contention, and a legendary trilogy with Samoa Joe in 2004 that spanned three matches: a 60-minute draw on June 12 at World Title Classic, another draw on October 16 at Joe vs. Punk II, and Joe's victory on December 4 at All Star Extravaganza 2.[40][41] These encounters, praised for their endurance and storytelling, elevated Punk's status as a top challenger in ROH's competitive landscape.[42] Punk's defining moment came on June 18, 2005, at Death Before Dishonor III, when he defeated Austin Aries to capture the ROH World Championship in a 35-minute main event, ending Aries' 174-day reign.[43] His championship victory was particularly poignant, as it occurred just before his impending departure from the promotion, symbolizing the culmination of his indie career. Punk held the title for 55 days, during which he made several defenses, including successful outings against Aries in a rematch at Sign of Dishonor on July 8 and in multi-man matches that showcased his resilience against ROH's elite.[44] His reign ended on August 12, 2005, in a four-way elimination match at Punish the World, where James Gibson emerged victorious after eliminating Punk, Samoa Joe, and Christopher Daniels.[45] Throughout his ROH run, Punk was a core member of the Second City Saints stable, formed in early 2003 alongside Cabana and Ace Steel, which represented Chicago's wrestling scene and emphasized unity against outside threats.[46] The group achieved significant success, winning the ROH World Tag Team Championship on May 15, 2004, when Punk and Cabana defeated the Briscoe Brothers in a ladder match at Global Wars.[47] They held the titles for approximately 70 days before losing them to Rocky Romero and Ricky Reyes, after which the stable gradually disbanded amid shifting alliances by mid-2005, though remnants persisted informally until 2006.[48] During this period, Punk underwent a stylistic evolution, refining his brawling roots into a more precise technical wrestling approach, incorporating submissions and chain grappling that became hallmarks of his matches against opponents like Joe and Aries.[41] Punk's final regular ROH match occurred on August 13, 2005, at Punk: The Final Chapter, a specially themed event where he defeated Cabana in a best-of-three-falls bout, providing an emotional sendoff amid his transition to WWE developmental.[49] He made one additional in-ring appearance on February 11, 2006, at Unscripted II, teaming with Bryan Danielson to defeat Adam Pearce and Jimmy Rave in a hastily arranged main event following a card change.[49] Punk briefly returned to ROH in 2022 for a ceremonial appearance at Death Before Dishonor on July 23, where he was inducted into the promotion's inaugural Hall of Fame class, honoring his foundational contributions without competing.[50] During his tenure, Punk also delivered provocative straight-edge promos, such as his 2003 confrontations with Raven, challenging the promotion's party culture and positioning himself as a moral counterpoint to ROH's hardcore elements.[51]WWE developmental and rise (2005–2008)
In 2005, CM Punk signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), marking his entry into the company's system after successful runs on the independent circuit.[52] He was immediately assigned to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), WWE's primary developmental territory at the time, where he made his in-ring debut on September 8, 2005, in a dark match.[53] During his OVW tenure, Punk established himself as a top prospect through a series of competitive matches, culminating in his victory over Brent Albright in a strap match on May 3, 2006, to capture the OVW Heavyweight Championship for the first time.[7] He held the title for 119 days, defending it successfully against challengers like Johnny Jeter and Elijah Burke before dropping it back to Albright on August 30, 2006.[7] Punk's rapid progress in OVW led to his promotion to WWE's ECW brand in mid-2006, where he made his televised in-ring debut on the August 1 episode, defeating Justin Credible in a singles match at the Hammerstein Ballroom.[54] Positioned as a straight-edge technician with a no-nonsense persona, he quickly integrated into ECW's roster, competing in multi-man matches and building momentum through victories over midcard talents like Stevie Richards and Shannon Moore.[55] By early 2007, Punk entered the title picture, engaging in a high-profile feud with Big Daddy V (formerly Viscera), whom he challenged for the ECW Championship in several intense encounters, including a no-disqualification bout on the June 5 episode of ECW on Sci Fi.[56] Punk's persistence paid off on the September 4, 2007, episode of ECW on Sci Fi, when he defeated John Morrison to win the ECW Championship, ending Morrison's 105-day reign and securing Punk's first championship on a WWE brand.[57] As champion, he adopted a more authoritative presence while maintaining his core philosophy, defending the title against a variety of opponents in fast-paced, submission-heavy bouts that highlighted his technical prowess and endurance.[55] Key defenses included successful retentions against Morrison in rematches and Elijah Burke at Unforgiven on September 16, 2007, where Punk pinned Burke following a GTS (Go To Sleep) finisher. His reign lasted 143 days, during which he elevated ECW's main event scene by blending aerial maneuvers with ground-based submissions.[7] The championship run faced its sternest test in late 2007 and early 2008 through a heated rivalry with Chavo Guerrero, who positioned himself as a cunning heel targeting Punk's straight-edge lifestyle.[56] Guerrero captured the Money in the Bank briefcase earlier in the feud and cashed it in on January 22, 2008, defeating Punk in a no-disqualification match on ECW to end the reign after interference from Edge.[55] Undeterred, Punk rebounded by winning the Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania XXIV on March 30, 2008, outlasting seven competitors including Chris Jericho and Shelton Benjamin to earn a contract for a world title shot. Just three months later, on the June 30, 2008, episode of Raw, Punk capitalized on an opportunity when Edge, the World Heavyweight Champion, was weakened by an attack from Batista following Night of Champions; Punk cashed in the briefcase and defeated Edge via GTS to claim his first world heavyweight title.[58] This victory solidified Punk's transition from developmental talent to main roster star, bridging his ECW success into broader WWE prominence.[56]WWE main roster dominance (2008–2011)
Following his successful tenure on the ECW brand, CM Punk transitioned to the Raw roster in 2008, where he quickly established himself as a top contender. On June 30, 2008, Punk cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase immediately after Edge retained the World Heavyweight Championship against Batista, defeating the exhausted champion with his signature Go To Sleep (GTS) finisher to claim the title for the first time.[59] His 69-day reign included key defenses that showcased his resilience; he retained against Batista in a hard-fought match at The Great American Bash on July 20, 2008, and overcame JBL's aggressive onslaught at SummerSlam on August 17, 2008, solidifying his status as a credible world champion.[60][61] The reign concluded at Unforgiven on September 7, 2008, when Chris Jericho capitalized on interference to pin Punk.[62] After the title loss, Punk shifted focus to the Intercontinental Championship, entering a tournament for a shot at the vacant title following William Regal's suspension storyline. On the December 8, 2008, episode of Raw, Punk defeated John Morrison with a decisive GTS after countering Morrison's high-flying offense in the semifinals. He then bested Rey Mysterio in the finals at Armageddon on December 14, 2008, to earn the contendership.[63] This victory led to a championship opportunity, and on the January 19, 2009, episode of Raw in his hometown of Chicago, Punk dethroned Regal with a roll-up to win the Intercontinental Championship, beginning a 49-day reign marked by intense defenses against mid-card rivals like Morrison in non-title bouts.[64] He lost the title to JBL on the March 9, 2009, episode of Raw amid a controversial finish involving distractions.[65] Punk's momentum continued into 2009 when he won his second Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania 25 on April 5, outlasting eight competitors including MVP, Kane, and Mark Henry to secure the SmackDown brand contract briefcase after the 2009 draft lottery placed him on that roster.[55] He cashed in the contract at Extreme Rules on June 7, 2009, attacking Jeff Hardy post-match after Hardy's victory over Edge to become World Heavyweight Champion for a second time. During this 49-day reign, Punk defended against Hardy at The Bash on June 28, 2009, and notably against Rey Mysterio on the June 19, 2009, episode of SmackDown, retaining via submission with the Anaconda Vise.[66][67] The title changed hands back to Hardy at Night of Champions on July 26, 2009, but Punk regained it at SummerSlam on August 23, 2009, via forfeit when Hardy no-showed due to Punk's pre-match assault. His third reign lasted 42 days, ending in a submission loss to The Undertaker at Breaking Point on September 13, 2009, in a grueling Hell in a Cell match.[68] Later that year, Punk formed the Straight Edge Society (SES) on the November 27, 2009, episode of SmackDown, recruiting the alter ego of Festus—renamed Luke Gallows—by "saving" him from a life of indulgence and enforcing a strict sobriety code through ritualistic initiations.[69] Serena joined as the group's enforcer shortly after, followed by Joey Mercury, with Punk delivering impassioned promos decrying alcohol, drugs, and promiscuity as societal poisons, positioning the SES as a cult-like faction promoting his personal straight-edge philosophy.[70] The group aided Punk in feuds, including attacks on opponents to ensure his dominance on SmackDown. In 2010, Punk joined The Nexus stable on the December 27 episode of Raw, betraying John Cena to align with leader Wade Barrett and the invading NXT rookies, marking a shift to the Raw brand.[71] Tensions escalated as Punk challenged Barrett's authority, defeating him in a non-title match on the January 24, 2011, episode of Raw to assume leadership and rebrand the group as The New Nexus, enforcing stricter codes of conduct among members like David Otunga and Husky Harris. The angle culminated in internal power struggles, with Punk feuding against Barrett through high-stakes encounters, including a contract-on-a-pole match at WrestleMania XXVII on April 3, 2011, where Punk retained control before the faction's eventual dissolution amid losses to rivals like Randy Orton.[72]WWE Championship era and exit (2011–2014)
On June 27, 2011, during an episode of WWE Raw, CM Punk delivered a highly influential promo known as the "Pipe Bomb." This fourth-wall-breaking worked shoot openly criticized WWE management, including Vince McMahon, John Cena, the company's creative direction, and real issues such as his expiring contract. Aired from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, the promo stood out in WWE's PG era (initiated in 2008), which emphasized family-friendly programming with toned-down violence, limited profanity, and heavily scripted content, for its raw and seemingly unscripted tone that contrasted sharply with the era's sanitized style and provided fans with a rare sense of authenticity. This segment positioned Punk as a vocal underdog challenging the company's establishment and significantly propelled his popularity.[73][74][75][76] The promo's momentum carried into WWE's Money in the Bank pay-per-view on July 17, 2011, where Punk, whose contract was set to expire that night, defeated John Cena in the main event to win the WWE Championship for the first time.[77] The match took place in Punk's hometown of Chicago at the Allstate Arena, culminating in Punk pinning Cena after a series of high-impact maneuvers, including the Go To Sleep (GTS).[78] Punk exited the arena through the crowd with the title, creating uncertainty about his future with WWE as his contract technically lapsed.[77] This victory ignited the "Summer of Punk" storyline, a months-long narrative that emphasized Punk's anti-establishment persona and fan support, often encapsulated in the slogan "Pipebomb" and chants of his name dominating WWE events.[79] Throughout the summer, Punk engaged in a heated feud with Cena, defending his status as champion in verbal exchanges and matches that highlighted their contrasting styles—Punk's technical prowess and straight-edge attitude against Cena's power-based heroism.[80] The storyline peaked at SummerSlam on August 14, 2011, where Punk retained the title against Cena in a WWE Championship match, solidifying his position as a top star.[81] Punk's championship journey continued with interruptions, but he reclaimed the WWE Championship on November 20, 2011, at Survivor Series by defeating Alberto Del Rio, beginning his longest reign at 434 days until losing it to The Rock on January 27, 2013, at Royal Rumble.[56] During this extended title run, Punk aligned with Paul Heyman as his on-screen advocate, forming a dynamic partnership that amplified his heel persona through cunning strategies and promos.[82] Key feuds included multiple defenses against Cena, including a triple threat match at Night of Champions in September 2012 involving Ryback; confrontations with The Rock leading to the title loss; and intense rivalries with Ryback, where Heyman interfered to aid Punk, escalating their "Paul Heyman Guy" association.[83] These conflicts often featured Punk's resilience, as he overcame larger opponents through submissions and high-flying offense, maintaining the championship through 20 successful defenses across pay-per-views.[84] In 2013, Punk's storyline shifted toward authority figures, beginning with tensions involving Triple H, WWE's Chief Operating Officer, who booked Punk in challenging matches amid growing backstage frustrations.[85] This culminated in a high-profile feud with Brock Lesnar, orchestrated by Heyman after their alliance soured, leading to a No Disqualification match at SummerSlam on August 18, 2013, where Lesnar defeated Punk despite interference from Heyman's new client, Curtis Axel.[86] The buildup included Punk challenging Lesnar directly on Raw and accusing Triple H of favoritism toward established stars.[87] Punk's tenure ended abruptly following the Royal Rumble on January 26, 2014, where he entered the 30-man match as the #1 participant but was eliminated early by Kane, marking his final WWE in-ring appearance.[88] The next day, Punk informed WWE executives of his decision to leave the company, effectively retiring from professional wrestling at that time due to accumulated injuries and creative disputes.[88]Independent and sporadic appearances (2014–2021)
Following his abrupt departure from WWE in January 2014, CM Punk effectively retired from professional wrestling, entering a seven-year hiatus from in-ring competition while pursuing other ventures. During this period, he shifted his primary focus to mixed martial arts (MMA) training and competition, signing a multi-fight contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on December 6, 2014, despite having no prior professional fighting experience.[89] This move represented a complete pivot away from wrestling, as Punk underwent rigorous preparation at Roufusport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, under coach Duke Roufus, emphasizing grappling, striking, and conditioning to adapt to the demands of MMA.[90] Punk's MMA debut occurred on September 10, 2016, at UFC 203 in Cleveland, Ohio, where he faced welterweight prospect Mickey Gall in the co-main event. The bout ended in a first-round submission loss for Punk via rear-naked choke after 2:14, highlighting the challenges of his transition to the sport.[91] He returned nearly two years later on June 9, 2018, at UFC 225 in his hometown of Chicago, losing a unanimous decision (29-28 x3) to Mike Jackson in a three-round welterweight fight; the result was later overturned to a no contest in July 2018 after Jackson tested positive for marijuana use.[92] These outings marked the extent of Punk's competitive MMA career, after which he stepped away from fighting altogether, later competing in grappling events like Cage Fury Fighting Championships starting in 2018. His UFC tenure, while brief and winless in official record, drew significant attention to the crossover between professional wrestling and MMA, underscoring Punk's determination to challenge himself in a new discipline.[93] Amid his MMA pursuits, Punk maintained a low public profile but made occasional sporadic appearances outside the Octagon, primarily through media engagements and fan interactions. In November 2014, he participated in a highly candid two-part interview on the podcast The Art of Wrestling with former tag team partner Colt Cabana, where he detailed his frustrations with WWE management, creative decisions, and personal health issues leading to his exit—this discussion became a pivotal moment in wrestling media, amplifying discussions on performer welfare. Punk also hosted limited autograph sessions and meet-and-greets, such as a charity event on August 31, 2019, in Schaumburg, Illinois, where fans could meet him for photos and signed memorabilia to support local causes.[94] By late 2019, he re-entered wrestling media as an analyst on FS1's WWE Backstage, debuting unannounced on November 12 and contributing weekly commentary until the show's conclusion in 2021, offering insights on WWE storylines without returning to the ring. These limited engagements reflected Punk's selective involvement in the wrestling world during his hiatus, prioritizing recovery, family, and non-competitive pursuits over any full-time commitments or independent circuit bookings.All Elite Wrestling stint (2021–2023)
CM Punk made a surprise return to professional wrestling on August 20, 2021, debuting for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) during the debut episode of Rampage at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, in an event billed as "The First Dance."[95] The appearance drew a massive crowd reaction, marking his first in-ring activity since leaving WWE in 2014, and he delivered a promo addressing his career hiatus before competing in his first match against Darby Allin at All Out on September 5, 2021, where he secured a submission victory with the Anaconda Vise.[96] This debut set the stage for an immediate feud with Allin, highlighted by high-risk spots including Allin's Coffin Drop from a ladder, establishing Punk as a top babyface in the promotion.[97] Following his win over Allin, Punk transitioned into a high-profile rivalry with Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF), beginning with intense verbal exchanges on the November 24, 2021, episode of Dynamite, where MJF mocked Punk's independent wrestling roots and personal life in a nearly 20-minute segment.[98] The feud escalated through promos and non-title matches, including a no-disqualification bout on December 22, 2021, where Punk teamed with Allin and Sting to defeat MJF and FTR, and culminated in Punk's first pay-per-view main event against MJF at Revolution on March 6, 2022, though the match ended in a no-contest due to interference.[99] This storyline showcased Punk's straight-edge persona clashing with MJF's heel tactics, drawing significant viewership and positioning Punk as a challenger for the AEW World Championship.[97] Punk captured the AEW World Championship on May 29, 2022, at Double or Nothing in Las Vegas, defeating reigning champion "Hangman" Adam Page in the main event via a roll-up after a 28-minute match praised for its storytelling and physicality.[100] This victory marked Punk's first world title reign in nearly a decade, since relinquishing the WWE Championship in 2013, and solidified his status as AEW's flagship star.[101] His 101-day reign included defenses against Page in a rematch and Dustin Rhodes, but was interrupted by a foot injury sustained on June 3, 2022, during a post-match stage dive on Rampage that broke his foot, sidelining him for two months.[102] Punk returned on August 10, 2022, at Dynamite: Quake by the Lake in Buffalo, New York, confronting Jon Moxley, and successfully defended the title against him at All Out on September 4, 2022, in Chicago, winning via submission despite suffering a torn left triceps during the bout.[103] The post-All Out period was marred by controversy when Punk, along with his associate Ace Steel, engaged in a physical altercation with members of The Elite (Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks) backstage, stemming from tensions over Punk's media scrum comments criticizing AEW's management and talent.[104] AEW President Tony Khan suspended Punk indefinitely on September 7, 2022, vacated the AEW World Championship, and also suspended The Elite while stripping them of the AEW World Trios Championship they held with Eddie Kingston.[105] Punk underwent surgery for his triceps injury shortly after and remained absent from AEW television for nine months, during which an internal investigation concluded without further public details, though reports indicated Punk's future with the company was uncertain.[106] During his AEW tenure, lingering tensions from Punk's past friendship with Colt Cabana resurfaced. Rumors alleged Punk influenced AEW's decisions regarding Cabana's status following Punk's 2021 signing, though both Punk and Tony Khan denied these claims. At the All Out 2022 media scrum, Punk addressed the issue unprompted, declaring he had "fuck all to do with" Scott Colton and wanted no association, amid broader criticisms that escalated into the backstage "Brawl Out" incident involving Punk, Ace Steel, and The Elite. These events contributed to Punk's eventual departure from AEW in 2023. Punk returned to AEW on June 17, 2023, for the debut episode of Collision in Detroit, Michigan, interrupting a match between Christian Cage and Ricky Starks and reigniting his rivalry with Starks.[102] He adopted a storyline where he carried the "Real World Championship," a replica belt symbolizing his claim to the title he never lost in the ring, leading to victories over Starks at All In on August 27, 2023, in London—where he defeated Samoa Joe via submission in his final AEW match—and earlier bouts on Collision.[107] However, tensions boiled over at All Out on September 3, 2023, in Chicago, when Punk got into a backstage brawl with Jack Perry during Perry's match against Hook, reportedly triggered by Perry's promo referencing "real glass" in a nod to Punk's past criticisms.[108] AEW terminated Punk's contract on September 2, 2023, citing the incident among ongoing issues, ending his tenure with the promotion after two years marked by both critical acclaim and internal strife.[106]WWE return and resurgence (2023–present)
CM Punk made a surprise return to WWE at Survivor Series: WarGames on November 25, 2023, in Chicago, Illinois, where he appeared after the men's WarGames match to a massive crowd reaction, marking his first WWE appearance since 2014.[10][109] This comeback followed his departure from All Elite Wrestling and positioned him for immediate contention in the men's Royal Rumble match on January 27, 2024. Entering at number 27, Punk lasted until the final two before being eliminated by Cody Rhodes, but suffered a torn triceps injury during a Future Shock DDT from Drew McIntyre, which sidelined him for approximately seven months.[110][111] The injury fueled a heated feud with McIntyre, who mocked Punk's misfortune on television while Punk responded with scathing promos from ringside, accusing McIntyre of sabotage. Punk returned to action on June 21, 2024, aiding Sami Zayn against McIntyre and the Judgment Day on SmackDown, building toward their first singles match at SummerSlam on August 3, 2024, where Punk won by disqualification after interference. The rivalry continued with verbal barbs and escalated to a brutal Hell in a Cell match at Bad Blood on October 5, 2024, where Punk defeated McIntyre with a GTS after extensive bloodshed, effectively ending their year-long animosity.[112][113][114] Following the conclusion of his rivalry with McIntyre, Punk remained an active competitor on Raw and went on to win the World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Gunther on August 2, 2025, at SummerSlam.) As the reigning champion, he successfully defended the title against Finn Bálor at WWE Elimination Chamber on February 28, 2026.[11][115] On the March 2, 2026 episode of WWE Raw, Punk confronted Roman Reigns in a face-to-face segment to build toward a championship match at WrestleMania 42.[12] As of March 2026, CM Punk is in good physical condition and actively competing in WWE as the World Heavyweight Champion, with no reports of injuries or health concerns.Wrestling persona and style
In-ring style and techniques
CM Punk's in-ring style is characterized by a technical, submission-oriented approach heavily influenced by his formative years in Ring of Honor (ROH), where he developed a versatile arsenal blending amateur wrestling holds, strikes, and grappling maneuvers.[1] This foundation emphasized precision over spectacle, allowing him to execute sharp knee strikes and roundhouse kicks to wear down opponents before transitioning into joint locks and chokes. A hallmark of his submission game is the Anaconda Vise, a brutal rear naked choke variation applied from a mounted position, which targets the neck and arms to force taps or unconsciousness.[1][116] His signature moves further highlight this hybrid style, including the Go To Sleep (GTS), a fireman's carry into a knee strike to the head that delivers devastating impact while maintaining momentum. Earlier in his career, Punk incorporated higher-risk maneuvers like the Pepsi Plunge, a diving double underhook facebuster from the top rope, and springboard clotheslines for explosive offense during indie promotions.[1] As he progressed to WWE, his approach evolved from the brawling, high-spot elements of his independent circuit days to a more grounded, endurance-focused technique that minimized unnecessary aerial risks, prioritizing strategic pacing and defensive counters suitable for longer bouts.[116] This adaptation was evident in his record 434-day WWE Championship reign from 2011 to 2013, where sustained matches showcased his ability to maintain intensity over extended periods without relying on excessive acrobatics.[117] Punk's ground game draws comparisons to legitimate shooters, particularly in his capacity to counter larger opponents through submissions and positional control, as demonstrated in high-profile encounters like his 2013 no-disqualification match against Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam, where he repeatedly applied the Anaconda Vise to neutralize Lesnar's suplex-heavy dominance.[1] This resilience on the mat, combined with his striking precision, underscores a style that rewards tactical awareness and physical conditioning over raw athleticism.[116]Character development and gimmicks
CM Punk first developed his straight-edge persona in the early 2000s while wrestling on the independent circuit, drawing from personal experiences with family alcoholism and influences from the punk rock subculture's emphasis on sobriety. This identity, which advocates abstaining from alcohol, drugs, and tobacco, became central to his character during his tenure in Ring of Honor (ROH) from 2002 to 2005, where he delivered passionate anti-drug promos, notably in his 2003 feud with Raven, criticizing substance abuse as a weakness that undermined wrestlers' potential.[22] In Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) from 2003 to 2004, Punk continued this theme through segments and matches that highlighted his clean-living ethos against opponents embodying excess, solidifying his reputation as a moral crusader in the indie scene.[118] Upon joining WWE's main roster in 2008, Punk's straight-edge gimmick evolved into more structured iterations. In late 2009, he introduced the Straight Edge Society (SES) on SmackDown, portraying himself as a cult leader recruiting followers like Luke Gallows and Serena to enforce sobriety through aggressive interventions and baptisms, often targeting wrestlers with addiction histories in heated promos.[118] The group disbanded in 2010 after losses at events like WrestleMania 26, but the persona underscored Punk's shift from indie preacher to WWE heel authority figure. By 2011, his character transformed into the "Voice of the Voiceless," an anti-corporate rebel speaking for overlooked fans and talent. This development reached its peak with his infamous "Pipe Bomb" promo on the June 27, 2011, episode of WWE Raw, a fourth-wall-breaking worked shoot in which he criticized WWE management (including Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis), John Cena, the company's creative direction, and his own expiring contract. Delivered amid WWE's PG era—characterized by family-friendly content, toned-down violence, no profanity, and heavily scripted segments—the promo stood out for its raw tone, edgy language including words like "bullshit" and "douchebag," and direct attacks on the product, contrasting sharply with the sanitized programming and providing a rare sense of authenticity that resonated with fans dissatisfied with the era's perceived banality. This promo amplified his rebellious gimmick through integration of real-world critiques, enhancing his legacy as a master of the promo in the PG era.[4][119][22] In All Elite Wrestling (AEW) from 2021 to 2023, Punk adopted a mature veteran persona, positioning himself as a grizzled mentor to younger talent amid high-profile matches, though backstage conflicts stemming from his outspoken real-life attitudes occasionally disrupted on-screen dynamics.[118] Following his WWE return at Survivor Series: WarGames in November 2023, Punk's gimmick blended his longstanding rebel edge with an elder statesman role, offering wisdom to rising stars like Drew McIntyre and Sami Zayn while reigniting feuds with a seasoned, no-nonsense intensity.[118]Cultural impact and legacy
CM Punk is regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time and one of the most influential performers of his generation. His "Pipebomb" soliloquy from June 2011 is considered one of the most important promos in the history of professional wrestling.[120][4] CM Punk's advocacy for the straight-edge lifestyle, which emphasizes abstinence from alcohol, drugs, and tobacco, brought a niche subcultural element into mainstream professional wrestling, particularly during his WWE tenure where he formed the Straight Edge Society stable in 2009. This gimmick, rooted in the hardcore punk scene, resonated with younger audiences and elevated the visibility of straight-edge principles beyond wrestling's typical party-centric narratives, as Punk himself noted in a 2010 interview discussing its growing popularity among fans. His portrayal not only popularized the philosophy within the industry but also inspired a generation of indie wrestlers, including Daniel Bryan (Bryan Danielson), by demonstrating how authentic, countercultural personas could transition from promotions like Ring of Honor to WWE success, paving the way for the "indie darlings" era. The 2011 "Pipebomb" promo, delivered on WWE Raw, marked a pivotal moment in Punk's legacy by blurring the lines between scripted entertainment and real-life frustrations, effectively launching WWE's Reality Era—a period characterized by more authentic storytelling and meta-commentary on the industry. In this unfiltered rant, Punk criticized WWE management, fellow wrestlers, and corporate influences, which resonated deeply with fans and shifted creative directions toward edgier, reality-blended narratives that dominated programming through the mid-2010s. This promo not only propelled Punk to superstardom but also influenced subsequent WWE angles by encouraging performers to incorporate personal grievances, fundamentally altering the promotional style in major promotions. Punk's 2021 signing with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) significantly bolstered the upstart promotion's initial credibility, injecting mainstream star power and drawing lapsed WWE fans to the alternative product during its formative years. As one of the few high-profile free agents available post-WWE hiatus, his debut generated massive buzz and viewership spikes, helping AEW establish itself as a viable competitor by lending veteran legitimacy to its roster of younger talents. This move underscored Punk's role as a bridge between wrestling eras, enhancing AEW's perception as a platform for innovative, wrestler-driven content. In 2025, Punk experienced a notable resurgence in WWE as a veteran draw, main eventing WrestleMania and capturing the World Heavyweight Championship twice, solidifying his status as a reliable box-office attraction amid a roster of rising stars. Recent interviews from October 2025, including during WWE's Japan tour, reveal Punk contemplating retirement as he approaches 47, expressing reflections on his career's physical toll while emphasizing a desire to end on his terms rather than fade out. Despite past backstage controversies that painted him as difficult, Punk's current WWE reputation has earned praise for mentorship and professionalism, contrasting sharply with his enduring fan adoration, where supporters celebrate his rebellious authenticity and in-ring legacy as a transformative figure in wrestling culture.Mixed martial arts career
UFC debut and fights (2014–2016)
In December 2014, Phil Brooks, known professionally as CM Punk, signed a multi-fight contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), transitioning from professional wrestling to mixed martial arts despite having no prior professional MMA experience.[121][89] The signing was announced during the UFC 181 pay-per-view broadcast, generating significant media interest due to Punk's celebrity status from WWE.[122] To prepare, Punk relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to train at Roufusport academy under head coach Duke Roufus, a renowned striking specialist, focusing on developing skills in kickboxing, wrestling, and grappling over the subsequent two years.[123][124] Punk's UFC debut was highly anticipated, bolstered by promotional appearances on UFC Embedded and UFC Unfiltered, where he announced his opponent, Mickey Gall, in June 2016.[125] The bout was scheduled for UFC 203 on September 10, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio, at welterweight (170 pounds), drawing widespread attention as one of the event's top draws despite Punk's inexperience.[126] Leading up to the fight, Punk faced challenges with his weight cut, revealing he was over 200 pounds just a week prior and describing the process as "terrible."[127][128] In the fight, Gall dominated with superior grappling, submitting Punk via rear-naked choke at 2:14 of the first round, marking Punk's professional MMA debut loss.[91] Punk returned to the UFC Octagon nearly two years later at UFC 225 on June 9, 2018, in Chicago, Illinois, facing Mike Jackson in another welterweight bout amid renewed local interest.[129] Jackson won by unanimous decision (29-28 on all cards), but the result was later overturned to a no contest in July 2021 after Jackson tested positive for marijuana in a post-fight drug screening.[130][131] This left Punk with an official UFC record of 0-1-1 (one no contest).[132]Post-UFC competitions (2018–present)
Following his final UFC bout in June 2018, CM Punk did not engage in any further professional mixed martial arts competitions. His overall professional MMA record stands at 0-1 with one no contest, stemming from his two UFC appearances.[132][5] Punk officially retired from MMA in August 2021 upon signing with All Elite Wrestling for his professional wrestling comeback, shifting his focus away from competitive fighting.[133] In the years since, he has maintained a part-time connection to the sport through non-competitive roles, particularly as a commentator for Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC) events broadcast on UFC Fight Pass. He began this role in 2018 and has continued sporadically alongside his wrestling commitments.[134][135] Punk's involvement with CFFC has included calling fights at events such as CFFC 74 in 2019 and CFFC 125 in 2023, where he provided color commentary drawing from his own MMA experience. No exhibition or competitive bouts occurred during this period, including any rumored 2021 matchup or 2023 exhibition. By 2025, his activity remains limited to occasional broadcasting, such as the July 2025 CFFC 144 card co-commentated with Michelle Waterson-Gomez, and informal grappling training sessions amid his primary WWE schedule.[136][137]Personal life
Relationships and family
CM Punk first encountered AJ Lee, whose real name is April Jeanette Mendez, during their time on WWE's main roster in 2011, where their on-screen interactions soon developed into a real-life romance. The couple dated for several years before exchanging vows in a private ceremony on June 13, 2014, surrounded by close family and friends. This marriage occurred amid Punk's contentious departure from WWE, marking the beginning of a partnership that has endured through professional highs and lows.[138][139] Punk and Lee have opted for a childfree life, with no children after more than a decade of marriage, a choice they have publicly affirmed as aligning with their priorities and past experiences. In this household, pets have served an important familial role; for instance, Punk announced on Instagram in December 2025 that their dog Larry, adopted in 2015, had passed away.[140] They maintain a strong emphasis on privacy, rarely sharing details about their home life—which includes residences in Chicago and the Los Angeles area—to shield it from public scrutiny.[141] This stance extends to interactions with fans, where Punk has repeatedly urged respect for personal boundaries, such as avoiding airports and hotels to prevent invasions of their space.[142][143] Throughout Punk's career shifts—including his 2014 WWE exit, 2021 entry into All Elite Wrestling, and 2023 WWE return—Lee has provided unwavering emotional support. In a 2022 interview, she detailed their joint deliberations on his AEW move, highlighting her role in encouraging his return to wrestling after a hiatus. Punk has similarly credited her as a key pillar during his WWE resurgence, noting her influence in navigating industry challenges.[144][145]Advocacy and beliefs
CM Punk has adhered to a straight-edge lifestyle since the age of 16, abstaining from alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs as a personal philosophy of self-discipline and clarity. Throughout his wrestling career, he has actively advocated for this commitment in promos and interviews, often condemning substance abuse and positioning sobriety as essential for achieving peak physical and mental performance. For instance, during his leadership of the Straight Edge Society faction in WWE from 2009 to 2010, Punk delivered impassioned speeches urging fans to reject drugs and alcohol, framing it as a rebellion against societal vices.[146] In the early 2010s, Punk adopted veganism to further test his discipline and ethical convictions, maintaining the diet through much of his WWE tenure before occasionally relaxing it post-retirement. This choice aligned with his broader support for animal rights, including endorsements of PETA campaigns promoting cruelty-free living. Punk has used his platform to highlight the benefits of plant-based eating for health and environmental reasons, tying it to his straight-edge ethos of bodily autonomy.[147] Following his 2014 retirement from WWE, Punk has openly discussed the toll of professional wrestling on his mental health, citing burnout, chronic pain, and industry pressures as key factors in his departure. In interviews and public statements, he has emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental well-being, drawing from his experiences to encourage others in high-stress professions to seek support. This advocacy intensified after injuries, including a torn triceps in January 2024 that required surgery in February; during recovery, Punk shared accounts of "rough mental health days" amid frustration from sidelining, underscoring resilience through therapy and rest. He underwent successful surgery and returned to the ring in August 2024 after several months of rehabilitation.[148][149][150][151][152] Punk's political views include strong anti-war positions, exemplified by his 2024 call at a Cage Fury Fighting Championships event for an end to ongoing genocides, reflecting broader opposition to global conflicts. As of 2025, he continues to voice support for LGBTQ+ rights, building on earlier statements like his 2023 rally speech affirming trans youth healthcare and equality for gay and lesbian individuals, including joining a trans youth rally in July 2025 and posting support on Instagram in June 2025 against bans on gender-affirming care, while clarifying in interviews that his progressive beliefs are well-known despite WWE's preference for wrestlers to avoid overt politics.[153][154][155][156][157]Other media appearances
Film and television roles
CM Punk made his feature film acting debut in 2019 with the lead role of Don Koch in the horror thriller Girl on the Third Floor, directed by Oz Perkins, where he portrayed a man renovating a haunted house that reveals supernatural horrors. That same year, he appeared as Billy, a supporting character, in the body horror remake Rabid, directed by Jen and Sylvia Soska, playing a friend entangled in a viral outbreak stemming from experimental surgery.[158] In 2021, Punk starred as Deputy Colton in the vampire horror film Jakob's Wife, directed by Travis Stevens, depicting a small-town sheriff's deputy investigating bizarre events tied to his wife's transformation.[159] He also debuted on television that year in the Starz wrestling drama Heels, portraying the veteran independent wrestler Ricky Rabies across multiple episodes of season 1; Punk reprised the role in season 2, which aired in 2023, contributing to storylines about small-town promotion rivalries.[160] Punk joined the FX biker gang series Mayans M.C. in 2022 as the recurring character Paul, a fellow military veteran and friend of Gil "Gilly" Mejia, whose arc explored themes of PTSD and brotherhood; he appeared in several episodes through the show's fifth and final season in 2023.[161] In 2025, Punk appeared in a recurring role in the SYFY horror series Revival, which follows the undead returning to life in a rural town, contributing to episodes exploring chaos and suspicion.[162] In 2024, Punk took a comedic turn in the indie film Let's Start a Cult, playing a key role in the satirical story of a man attempting to build a utopian community. He followed this with a role in the horror film Night Patrol (2025), portraying an LAPD officer who uncovers a vampire-harboring task force and allies with street gangs to protect his neighborhood.[163] Additionally, from 2019 to 2020, Punk served as a weekly commentator and analyst on Fox's WWE Backstage, offering insights into professional wrestling storylines and events in a non-scripted capacity.Writing and publications
CM Punk has made notable contributions to comic book literature, leveraging his lifelong passion for the medium into professional writing opportunities with Marvel Comics. In 2012, he penned the introduction for the hardcover collection of the blockbuster event series Avengers vs. X-Men, which chronicled the epic conflict between the two superhero teams and became one of Marvel's top-selling stories of the year.[164][165] Punk made his debut as a comic book writer in 2015 with a backup story in Thor Annual #1, illustrated by Rob Guillory, which explored a young Thor's quest to prove himself worthy of Mjolnir through a wrestling-inspired challenge. Later that year, he co-wrote the 11-issue Drax series (2015–2016) alongside Cullen Bunn, reimagining the Guardians of the Galaxy character as a bumbling yet determined detective on a quest to confront Thanos, blending humor, action, and themes of redemption. These works marked Punk's transition into comics following his WWE tenure, earning praise for infusing wrestling dynamics into superhero narratives.[166][167] Beyond comics, Punk has contributed forewords to several books reflecting his personal connections and interests. In 2013, he wrote the foreword for Bake and Destroy: Good Food for Bad Vegans by Natalie Slater, his former partner, highlighting vegan recipes with a punk rock ethos aligned with his straight-edge lifestyle. More recently, in 2023, he provided the foreword for Keirn Chronicles Volume One: The Fabulous Wrestling Life of Steve Keirn, a memoir by the veteran wrestler, underscoring Punk's appreciation for wrestling history.[168][169]Video games and endorsements
CM Punk has been featured as a playable character in the WWE 2K video game series, beginning with WWE '13 in 2012 and continuing through WWE 2K25 released in March 2025.[170] These installments include custom movesets that replicate his signature in-ring maneuvers, such as the Anaconda Vise submission and Go To Sleep finisher, allowing players to recreate his technical and high-impact style.[171] In 2023, Punk made his debut in a non-WWE wrestling game as a playable character in AEW: Fight Forever, developed by Yuki Division and published by THQ Nordic, initially featured on the game's promotional cover art in 2022, though removed from the final version following his AEW departure.[172][173][174] Punk has collaborated with Nerdist Industries on multiple media projects, including a 2013 episode of the Nerdist podcast where he discussed wrestling and pop culture, as well as the 2014 CM Punk's Grammar Slam video series hosted on the Nerdist YouTube channel to promote proper language usage.[175][176] He also starred in Nerdist's 2019 live-action digital short Mortal Kombat 11: The Real Deal, portraying a wrestler challenging fighters from the game's roster in a comedic crossover format.[177] Punk has maintained strong ties to the comic book community through regular appearances at conventions, including exclusive Q&A sessions and autograph signings at Wizard World Comic Con events, such as the 2014 New York edition organized by WWE.[178] His involvement extends to promotional activities at San Diego Comic-Con, where he participated in panels and fan interactions as recently as July 2025.[21] Merchandise tied to Punk's straight-edge persona includes apparel lines featuring anti-substance abuse themes, such as black t-shirts emblazoned with "Straight Edge Society" logos and X symbols, sold through official WWE outlets and independent retailers.[179] These products emphasize his lifelong commitment to sobriety, with designs often incorporating his personal mantra of clean living.[180]Championships and accomplishments
Major wrestling titles
CM Punk has achieved significant success as a world champion across multiple promotions, holding major titles in WWE, AEW, ROH, and ECW. His reigns are noted for their duration, defenses, and impact on storylines, particularly in WWE where he captured the top prizes multiple times.[55] In WWE, Punk secured the WWE Championship once. His reign began on November 20, 2011, at Survivor Series, where he defeated Alberto Del Rio, and lasted 434 days until January 27, 2013, at Royal Rumble, marking the tenth-longest in company history and featuring defenses against high-profile opponents like John Cena and The Rock.[1][56] Punk also won the World Heavyweight Championship three times in WWE. His first reign spanned from June 30, 2008, to December 14, 2008, lasting 167 days after cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Edge following a match against Batista, with notable defenses including against JBL.[56] The second came on August 2, 2025, at SummerSlam, where he defeated Gunther in the main event to claim the title, solidifying his status as a multi-time world champion in his return era. He lost the title shortly after to Seth Rollins via a Money in the Bank cash-in.[181] Punk won the title for a third time on November 1, 2025, defeating Jey Uso to capture the vacant championship at WWE Saturday Night's Main Event. As of March 2026, Punk is in good physical condition with no reports of injuries or health concerns, actively competing as the World Heavyweight Champion with his reign ongoing and surpassing 120 days. He successfully defended the title against Finn Bálor at WWE Elimination Chamber on February 28, 2026, at the United Center in Chicago. WWE unveiled a new custom championship belt for Punk ahead of the event, featuring a collaboration with the Chicago Blackhawks and a spinning design incorporating his taped-up hand motif. On the March 2, 2026 episode of Raw, Punk confronted Roman Reigns in a face-to-face segment to build toward a title match at WrestleMania 42.[182][2][183][1] Earlier in his career, Punk held the ECW Championship once from September 1, 2007, to January 22, 2008, for 143 days, winning it from John Morrison on ECW on Sci Fi and defending it in intense matches before losing to Chavo Guerrero in a No Disqualification bout.[55][56] Outside WWE, Punk's world title accomplishments include the ROH World Championship, which he won on June 18, 2005, at Death Before Dishonor III by defeating Austin Aries, holding it for 55 days until dropping it to James Gibson (Jamie Knoble) in a four-way match at Redemption.[7] In AEW, he captured the AEW World Championship twice. His first reign was from May 29, 2022, at Double or Nothing, defeating Adam Page, until August 24, 2022, when he lost to Jon Moxley, lasting 87 days. His second reign was from August 28, 2022, to September 4, 2022, defeating Jon Moxley at All Out in his hometown, though the reign ended abruptly after three days due to injury, with no successful defenses.[184] Punk's earlier titles in developmental and independent circuits laid the foundation for his major successes. In OVV, he won the OVW Heavyweight Championship on May 3, 2006, holding it until August 30, 2006, for 119 days.[118] On the indies, he secured promotions like the IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship multiple times between 2003 and 2005, establishing his straight-edge persona and technical prowess.[55]Awards and honors
CM Punk has received numerous awards and honors throughout his wrestling career, recognizing his in-ring performances, promos, and overall impact on the industry. These accolades come from prominent publications, promotions, and organizations, highlighting his versatility and popularity across different eras and promotions.Hall of Fame Inductions
Punk was inducted into the inaugural class of the Ring of Honor (ROH) Hall of Fame in 2022, honoring his foundational contributions to the promotion where he began his rise to prominence as a world champion and key figure in its early years. He also received the Iron Mike Mazurki Award from the Cauliflower Alley Club in 2023, an honor given to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to professional wrestling, presented at their annual reunion banquet in Las Vegas.Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Awards
Punk has been a frequent recipient of awards from Pro Wrestling Illustrated, a leading wrestling magazine. He was named Wrestler of the Year in both 2011 and 2012, acknowledging his dominant performances and storyline dominance during his WWE tenure. In 2011, he won Feud of the Year for his rivalry with John Cena and Match of the Year for their encounter at Money in the Bank. He earned Most Popular Wrestler honors in 2011 and 2021, reflecting fan support during his WWE peak and AEW return, respectively. Additionally, Punk was voted Most Hated Wrestler in 2012 and Comeback of the Year in 2021 for his highly anticipated return to professional wrestling after a seven-year hiatus. The following table summarizes key PWI awards won by Punk:| Year | Award | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Wrestler of the Year | Recognized for overall excellence in wrestling. |
| 2011 | Feud of the Year | Vs. John Cena. |
| 2011 | Match of the Year | Vs. John Cena at Money in the Bank. |
| 2011 | Most Popular Wrestler | Fan-voted popularity award. |
| 2012 | Wrestler of the Year | Back-to-back win for sustained impact. |
| 2012 | Most Hated Wrestler | For his heel persona. |
| 2021 | Comeback of the Year | For return to AEW. |
| 2021 | Most Popular Wrestler | Fan appreciation post-return. |