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On the [[April 10]] edition of ''ECW on Sci-Fi'', Punk officially joined the '''[[New Breed (ECW)|New Breed]]''' stable,<ref name="punknewbreed">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/shows1/ecwonscifi/results/4144878/|title=Edge goes straight to the New Breed|accessdate=11 April|accessyear=2007|author=Robinson, Bryan|date=2007-04-10|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment}}</ref> after several weeks in which both the New Breed and the [[ECW Originals]] had attempted to recruit him.<ref name="recruitment1">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/shows1/ecwonscifi/archive/03062007/|title=Rattlesnake's venomous visit|accessdate=10 April|accessyear=2007|author=Tello, Craig|date=2007-03-06|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment}}</ref><ref name="recruitment2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/shows1/ecwonscifi/archive/03202007/|title=Masterpiece theater, Lashley-style|accessdate=10 April|accessyear=2007|author=Robinson, Bryan|date=2007-03-21|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment}}</ref> However two weeks later Punk betrayed the New Breed during a [[Professional wrestling tag team match types#Elimination tag team match|four on four elimination match]] between the New Breed and ECW Originals by kicking New Breed leader [[Elijah Burke]] in the back of the head costing them the match. After the match Punk proceeded to deliver his finisher, the [[Professional wrestling attacks#Go 2 Sleep|Go To Sleep]], on Burke before leaving the ring alone. WWE.com later confirmed that Punk was no longer a member of the New Breed.<ref name="newbreedbetrayal">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/shows1/ecwonscifi/archive/04242007/|title=Making painful statements|accessdate=1 May|accessyear=2007|author=Robinson, Bryan|date=2007-04-24|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment}}</ref> At [[WWE Judgment Day#2007|Judgment Day 2007]], Punk wrestled and defeated Elijah Burke in his first singles match on a pay-per-view.<ref name="judgmentday">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/matches/41244022/results/|title=On his own|accessdate=24 June|accessyear=2007|author=Rote, Andrew|date=2007-05-20|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment}}</ref>
On the [[April 10]] edition of ''ECW on Sci-Fi'', Punk officially joined the '''[[New Breed (ECW)|New Breed]]''' stable,<ref name="punknewbreed">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/shows1/ecwonscifi/results/4144878/|title=Edge goes straight to the New Breed|accessdate=11 April|accessyear=2007|author=Robinson, Bryan|date=2007-04-10|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment}}</ref> after several weeks in which both the New Breed and the [[ECW Originals]] had attempted to recruit him.<ref name="recruitment1">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/shows1/ecwonscifi/archive/03062007/|title=Rattlesnake's venomous visit|accessdate=10 April|accessyear=2007|author=Tello, Craig|date=2007-03-06|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment}}</ref><ref name="recruitment2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/shows1/ecwonscifi/archive/03202007/|title=Masterpiece theater, Lashley-style|accessdate=10 April|accessyear=2007|author=Robinson, Bryan|date=2007-03-21|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment}}</ref> However two weeks later Punk betrayed the New Breed during a [[Professional wrestling tag team match types#Elimination tag team match|four on four elimination match]] between the New Breed and ECW Originals by kicking New Breed leader [[Elijah Burke]] in the back of the head costing them the match. After the match Punk proceeded to deliver his finisher, the [[Professional wrestling attacks#Go 2 Sleep|Go To Sleep]], on Burke before leaving the ring alone. WWE.com later confirmed that Punk was no longer a member of the New Breed.<ref name="newbreedbetrayal">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/shows1/ecwonscifi/archive/04242007/|title=Making painful statements|accessdate=1 May|accessyear=2007|author=Robinson, Bryan|date=2007-04-24|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment}}</ref> At [[WWE Judgment Day#2007|Judgment Day 2007]], Punk wrestled and defeated Elijah Burke in his first singles match on a pay-per-view.<ref name="judgmentday">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/matches/41244022/results/|title=On his own|accessdate=24 June|accessyear=2007|author=Rote, Andrew|date=2007-05-20|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment}}</ref>


Due to the [[WWE Brand Extension#June 2007 (Draft Lottery)|drafting]] of [[ECW World Championship|ECW World Champion]] [[Bobby Lashley]] to ''RAW'' the ECW World Championship was declared vacant and a mini-tournament was announced to declare a new champion between Punk, Elijah Burke, [[Marcus Cor Von]] and the recently drafted [[Chris Benoit]]. Punk defeated Marcus Cor Von on the [[June 19]] edition of ''ECW on Sci-Fi'' and by doing so CM Punk advanced to face Chris Benoit at [[WWE Vengeance#2007|Vengeance 2007]] for the vacant ECW World Championship. Chris Benoit did a No-show, because of this, Johnny Nitro took his place.<ref name="corvoncontender">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/shows1/ecwonscifi/archive/06192007/|title=The beginning of a new ECW dawn|accessdate=24 June|accessyear=2007|author=Robinson, Bryan|date=2007-06-19|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment}}</ref><!-- DO NOT ADD WEEK BY WEEK EVENTS, RUMORS OR SPECULATION. THIS INCLUDES ANNOUNCED MATCHES THAT HAVE NOT YET OCCURRED. WIKIPEDIA IS NOT A NEWS SITE BUT AN ONLINE ENCYCLOPEDIA. Please see the articles "Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not" and "Wikipedia:Guide to writing better articles" for more information. -->
Due to the [[WWE Brand Extension#June 2007 (Draft Lottery)|drafting]] of [[ECW World Championship|ECW World Champion]] [[Bobby Lashley]] to ''RAW'' the ECW World Championship was declared vacant and a mini-tournament was announced to declare a new champion between Punk, Elijah Burke, [[monty Brown|Marcus Cor Von]] and the recently drafted [[Chris Benoit]]. Punk defeated Marcus Cor Von on the [[June 19]] edition of ''ECW on Sci-Fi'' and by doing so CM Punk was meant to face Chris Benoit at [[WWE Vengeance#2007|Vengeance 2007]] for the vacant ECW World Championship,<ref name="corvoncontender">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/shows1/ecwonscifi/archive/06192007/|title=The beginning of a new ECW dawn|accessdate=24 June|accessyear=2007|author=Robinson, Bryan|date=2007-06-19|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment}}</ref> however for reasons currently unexplained Benoit was replaced in the match by [[John Hennigan|Johnny Nitro]] who subsequently defeated Punk for the vacant championship.<ref name="ecworldnitro">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/matches/40811641113/results/|title=ECW World Title goes A-list|accessdate=25 June|accessyear=2007|author=Robinson, Bryan|date=2007-06-24|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment}}</ref><!-- DO NOT ADD WEEK BY WEEK EVENTS, RUMORS OR SPECULATION. THIS INCLUDES ANNOUNCED MATCHES THAT HAVE NOT YET OCCURRED. WIKIPEDIA IS NOT A NEWS SITE BUT AN ONLINE ENCYCLOPEDIA. Please see the articles "Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not" and "Wikipedia:Guide to writing better articles" for more information. -->


==In wrestling==
==In wrestling==

Revision as of 05:22, 25 June 2007

Phil Brooks United States
Born (1978-10-26) October 26, 1978 (age 46)
Chicago, Illinois Illinois
WebsiteCMPunk.com
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)CM Punk
Billed fromChicago, Illinois
Trained byAce Steel
Danny Dominion
Kevin Quinn
Dave Taylor
Dave Finlay
William Regal
Debut1999

Phil Brooks[1] (born October 26, 1978), better known by his ring name CM Punk, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment on its ECW brand. Before debuting in ECW, he was best known for his work on the independent circuit, especially as a member of the Ring of Honor roster where he was a former ROH World Champion, head trainer of the wrestling school and was considered to be one of the three icons of ROH (along with Samoa Joe and Homicide).[2] His professional wrestling gimmick is that of a follower of "straight edge", a culture which he follows in real life[3] and of which he utilizes different aspects depending on his alignment.

Career

Early career

Punk's first venture into wrestling was a stint in a backyard wrestling federation called the Lunatic Wrestling Federation with his friends in the mid-late 1990s where 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.[3][4][5] After leaving the federation because unlike his friends Punk genuinely wanted to be a wrestler and saw it as more than simple fun[3] Punk enrolled as a student at the "Steel Domain" wrestling school in Chicago, where he was trained by Ace Steel, Danny Dominion and Kevin Quinn to become a professional wrestler and as part of the training wrestled at St. Paul's Steel Domain Wrestling.[3][6] It was in the Steel Domain that he met Scott Colton,[7][8] who soon adopted the stage name Colt Cabana. Punk and Cabana became best friends and spent most of their early career together working in the same independent promotions, as opponents or allies.[7] In the independents Punk, along with fellow Steel Domain graduates Colt Cabana, Chuckie Smoothe, Adam Pearce and manager Dave Prazak, formed a stable named the Gold Bond Mafia.[3]

Punk's home promotion for his early career is usually considered to be Independent Wrestling Association: Mid-South (IWA:Mid-South).[3] 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. Notably his feud with Hero included a 55-minute TLC match,[3] a 93-minute two out of three falls match[6] and several 60-minute draws[8] while Punk's matches with Cabana led him to being hired to the Ring of Honor roster.[6] During his time in IWA:Mid-South he would also meet, wrestle against and become a friend of Eddie Guerrero.[3][6] From February 2003 until May 2004 Punk refused to wrestle for IWA:Mid-South, which Punk claims was in protest to Ian Rotten's treatment of Chris Hero;[3] however Hero himself 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,[9]. Eventually Punk returned to IWA:Mid-South and continued to perform as a wrestler and commentator for them until 2005 when he was signed to World Wrestling Entertainment. His last appearance in IWA:Mid-South was on July 2, 2005 in which he competed in a sixty-minute time limit draw against Delirious.

Ring of Honor and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

Punk joined Ring of Honor initially as a babyface, but was quickly turned heel in a feud with Raven that featured numerous variants of no disqualification matches. At the same time Punk joined the wrestling promotion NWA:Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he was paired with Julio Dinero as, ironically, members of Raven's TNA stable The Gathering.

Punk started climbing the ranks of ROH with notable achievements including coming second at the Second Anniversary show during the tournament to crown the first ROH Pure Champion, losing to A.J. Styles in the finals, and winning the ROH Tag Team Championship twice with Colt Cabana as the Second City Saints, both times defeating the Briscoe Brothers to win the championship. Circa October, 2003 Punk was hired as the first head trainer of the Ring of Honor wrestling school,[3][10] having previously been a trainer for the Steel Domain[3] and Primetime Wrestling.[11]

Meanwhile in TNA on February 25, 2004 Punk had a physical scuffle with Teddy Hart that was broken up by Sabu outside of a restaurant shortly before a TNA show stemming from an ROH show in which Hart performed three unplanned spots putting several other wrestlers in danger of injury.[12][13][14] Despite popular belief that this lead to his release from TNA, fueled by the fact Punk didn't appear on TNA after this incident, Punk has stated that this had no bearing on his TNA career and the reason he stopped appearing on TNA was that TNA officials believed that he and Dinero had not gotten over as heels, having turned on Raven becoming a tag team managed by their old rival James Mitchell, and so the angle had been put on hold.[15] Punk 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.[16]

In ROH Punk faced off against ROH World Champion Samoa Joe for the championship in a famous three match series. The first match, on June 12, 2004 at World Title Classic in Dayton, Ohio, resulted in a 60 minute time-limit draw when neither Punk nor Joe could pin or cause the other to submit in the sixty minutes. The second match between Samoa Joe and CM Punk was planned to have occurred on December 4, 2004 but because Steve Corino was pulled from a match with Samoa Joe by Pro Wrestling ZERO-ONE the second match was hastily rescheduled on October 11, 2004 for October 16 in Punk's hometown of Chicago, Illinois.[8] At Joe vs. Punk II on October 16 they wrestled to a second 60 minute draw. In addition to becoming Ring of Honor's best selling DVD at that point, the match received the first 5-star rating by Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer Newsletter for a match in North America since 1997.[8] Joe ended the series by defeating Punk in the third and final match on December 4, 2004 at All-Star Extravaganza 2 in which there was a no time limit stipulation.

In June 2005, Punk accepted a deal with World Wrestling Entertainment, after wrestling try-out matches on its Sunday Night HEAT show. Even though he had accepted the deal, Punk went on to defeat Austin Aries to win the ROH World Championship on June 18, 2005 at Death Before Dishonor III with the Pepsi Plunge.

Immediately after the match Punk proceeded to turn heel and started an angle where he threatened to bring the ROH World Championship to WWE with him. For weeks, Punk teased the ROH locker room and the ROH fans as well as mocking the championship he possessed, going so far as to sign his WWE contract on it. A notable part of this angle was Mick Foley making several ROH appearances, attempting to convince Punk to do the right thing and defend the title on his way out.

On August 12, 2005 in Dayton, Ohio Punk lost the ROH World Championship to James Gibson in a four corner elimination match consisting of himself, Gibson, Samoa Joe and Christopher Daniels, who re-debuted after a year and half long absence following the Rob Feinstein controversy a few minutes after Punk turned heel, when Gibson countered the Pepsi Plunge with a Super Tiger Bomb. His final scheduled match in Ring of Honor took place at Punk: The Final Chapter on August 13, 2005 against long-time friend Colt Cabana in a 2 out of 3 falls match, which he lost. In his last match, he was visibly crying, and was showered with streamers when he posed in the middle of the ring.

Punk reappeared at the ROH show Unscripted II on February 11, 2006, when Low Ki left the promotion the week prior and most of the roster contracted to TNA was pulled from the show.[17][18] In the main event, Punk teamed with Bryan Danielson to wrestle and ultimately defeat Jimmy Rave and Adam Pearce in a tag team match.

World Wrestling Entertainment

Ohio Valley Wrestling

Punk was assigned to Ohio Valley Wrestling, a WWE developmental territory. On September 26, 2005 in his OVW television debut, Punk suffered a ruptured eardrum and broken nose at the hands of Danny Inferno, after he was hit by an overly stiff right hand. Despite the injury, Punk finished the match and quickly recovered.[19][20]

On November 9, 2005, Punk became the OVW Television Champion after defeating Ken Doane.[21] This led immediately to a feud between Punk and Brent Albright, who had previously been feuding with Doane for the television championship and had lost his chance to wrestle Doane after Punk had hit him with a chair so he himself could wrestle Doane. This led to a series of matches, including one which ended in overtime with Albright having Punk submit to Albright's finisher, the Crowbar, however Punk was able to keep the championship as he had not agreed to the extra time.[22] On January 4, 2006, Punk lost the OVW Television Championship during a three way dance between himself, Albright and Doane. Doane was injured halfway through the match and could not continue and was replaced by Aaron "The Idol" Stevens. Punk submitted to Albright's Crowbar and was eliminated but after interference by Punk, Stevens was able to get the pin on Albright to become the new OVW Television Champion.[23]

The feud continued after a short period in which Albright and Punk were a tag team, but they became opponents again after Albright wanted the respect of Punk who would never give it to him and instead proceeded to "punk out" (get the better of) Albright repeatedly. This continued for weeks with Punk always getting the better of Albright until a double turn occurred on February 1, 2006 when Albright turned heel during a tag match allowing The Spirit Squad to beat Punk and, in doing so, turning Punk face.[24]

During this time CM Punk had a minor appearance at WrestleMania 22 on April 2, 2006 as one of the gangsters who rode a 1930s era car to the ring before John Cena's entrance.[25]

When Matt Cappotelli vacated the OVW Heavyweight Championship due to a brain tumor, a tournament was held to crown a new champion. The finals were Brent Albright vs CM Punk with Albright defeating Punk to become the new champion.[26] Punk and Albright continued their feud with Albright becoming more and more unstable and paranoid about maintaining his championship after several close call matches against Punk, resulting in acts such as threatening Maria. On May 3, 2006, Punk finally defeated Brent Albright in a strap match to win the OVW Heavyweight Championship.[27] As champion, Punk retained the title in matches against opponents such as Shad Gaspard,[28] Ken Kennedy,[29] Johnny Jeter,[30] and Mike "The Miz" Mizanin.[31]

On July 28, 2006 Punk and Seth Skyfire defeated Shad Gaspard and the Neighborhoodie to win the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship at a house show.[32] With the victory Punk became the second OVW wrestler to have held each of the promotion's three championships, following Brent Albright, and along with Skyfire the first to hold two championships simultaneously. They would lose the Tag Team Championship on August 2, 2006 to Deuce Shade and "Domino" Cliff Compton after an injured Skyfire tagged in an already injured Punk.[33]

This lead to a feud between Punk and Skyfire after a rematch for the Tag Team Championship on August 7, 2006 in which a healthy Punk purposefully tagged in an injured Skyfire to be beaten by Shade and Compton.[34] On August 30, 2006 a match was scheduled to take place between Punk and Skyfire for the OVW Heavyweight Championship however prior to the match Skyfire was attacked by Charles "The Hammer" Evans, who Skyfire had also been feuding with, and was replaced in the match by Chet the Jet who pinned Punk to win the OVW Heavyweight Championship.[35] As he no longer possessed the championship OVW no longer required him so he was removed from the roster and brought up to the WWE roster full time. He continues to make sporadic appearances for the company such as at the 400th episode of OVW on television.[36]

Extreme Championship Wrestling

On June 24, 2006 Punk made his ECW debut during a house show at the former ECW Arena, defeating Stevie Richards.[37] He made his TV debut on the July 4 episode of ECW on Sci Fi, cutting a brief pre-taped face promo about his straight edge lifestyle emphasizing the disciplinary aspects of being drug and alcohol free.[38] Although he had retained the straight edge gimmick, he now had a Muay Thai training background. Punk made his TV wrestling debut on August 1, 2006 at the Hammerstein Ballroom, defeating Justin Credible.[39] CM Punk established himself in ECW by going undefeated, defeating opponents such as Christopher W. Anderson,[40] Stevie Richards,[41] and Shannon Moore.[42]

CM Punk in ECW at a house show in Bremen, Germany.

Soon after, Punk began feuding with Mike Knox after Knox's girlfriend, Kelly Kelly, was seen to have feelings for Punk.[42] Punk defeated Mike Knox in their first singles match qualifying for the Extreme Elimination Chamber at December to Dismember in the process.[43] as well as the rematch, after which Kelly Kelly celebrated CM Punk's victory over her boyfriend.[44] Punk then went on to team with D-Generation X and The Hardy Boyz in their Survivor Series match against Rated-RKO, Knox, Johnny Nitro and Gregory Helms, a match where all the participants on DX's side survived elimination.[45] At ECW December to Dismember, Punk participated in the Extreme Elimination Chamber for the ECW World Championship, however was the first person eliminated.[46]

Following this, Punk entered into a feud with Hardcore Holly, who ended Punk's six month unbeaten streak[47] in singles competition on January 9, 2007.[48]. Punk went on to feud with Matt Striker, who gave him his second singles loss since being in ECW on January 30.[49] Following this Punk qualified for the Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania 23 by defeating Johnny Nitro,[50] being the only member of the ECW roster to qualify. In the final week leading up to WrestleMania 23 Punk made appearances on both WWE Raw and WWE Friday Night SmackDown! defeating Kenny Dykstra[51] and former World Heavyweight Champion King Booker[52] respectively. At WrestleMania 23 Punk competed in, but did not win, the Money in the Bank ladder match being knocked off the ladder just seconds before the winner, Mr. Kennedy, claimed the briefcase.[53]

On the April 10 edition of ECW on Sci-Fi, Punk officially joined the New Breed stable,[54] after several weeks in which both the New Breed and the ECW Originals had attempted to recruit him.[55][56] However two weeks later Punk betrayed the New Breed during a four on four elimination match between the New Breed and ECW Originals by kicking New Breed leader Elijah Burke in the back of the head costing them the match. After the match Punk proceeded to deliver his finisher, the Go To Sleep, on Burke before leaving the ring alone. WWE.com later confirmed that Punk was no longer a member of the New Breed.[57] At Judgment Day 2007, Punk wrestled and defeated Elijah Burke in his first singles match on a pay-per-view.[58]

Due to the drafting of ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley to RAW the ECW World Championship was declared vacant and a mini-tournament was announced to declare a new champion between Punk, Elijah Burke, Marcus Cor Von and the recently drafted Chris Benoit. Punk defeated Marcus Cor Von on the June 19 edition of ECW on Sci-Fi and by doing so CM Punk was meant to face Chris Benoit at Vengeance 2007 for the vacant ECW World Championship,[59] however for reasons currently unexplained Benoit was replaced in the match by Johnny Nitro who subsequently defeated Punk for the vacant championship.[60]

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

Gimmick

Punk has adopted his real-life following of the straight edge movement as his professional wrestling gimmick, but the gimmick uses different elements of Punk's personality and the beliefs of the straight edge movement depending on his alignment. While portraying a face, the gimmick tends to be that of Punk's normal personality,[3] 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 abstinence. Conversely, his heel personality tends to be that of a hardliner, exemplifying the elitist attitudes and superiority complexes possessed by hardliners - defined by Punk's common mantra during heel promos that, because he is straight edge, he is "better than you".[3] Regardless of alignment, 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.

The meaning of the CM portion of Punk's ring name is a source of discussion as to its meaning and origins. Originally the CM stood simply for "Chick Magnet" as it related to his original backyard wrestling tag team[3][5] however Punk would later state that CM had multiple meanings and would give different answers and stories when asked such as "Cookie Monster",[61] "Crooked Moonsault",[62] "Chuck Mosley",[62] "Charles Montgomery"[5] and "Charles Manson".[5]

An integral part of Punk's gimmick is that of the numerous tattoos that adorn his body, some of which have come to become symbols associated with Punk as well as 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. The most important of the individual tattoos in Punk's character, whether through association, symbol, or mantra, are:

  • A Pepsi logo on his left shoulder which inspired the names of two of his signature moves which also became a symbol of Punk himself, wearing 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.[63] He got the tattoo as a joke, as many fraternity members in his school were getting beer logos tattooed on their body, so Punk, a keen Pepsi drinker, chose to receive a Pepsi tattoo to emphasize his straight edge beliefs.[6] 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.[3]
  • The words "Straight Edge" are spelled out on his stomach. This tattoo is one of Punk's oldest tattoos[64] and has been referred to by Punk as his identity.[65]
  • A sleeve tattoo on his left arm entitled "luck is for losers", a mantra used on some of the choices for Punk's first ECW T-shirt,[66] that features twists on numerous symbols of good luck.
  • His knuckles spell out "DRUG FREE" when placed together, "DRUG" on the right knuckles and "FREE" on the left. This tattoo is often used in wrestling as a taunting gesture to the crowd and opponents.
  • A tattoo on the back of his left hand reading "No gimmicks needed", with gimmicks being pro wrestling slang for drugs.[67]

Punk's character and gimmick have been parodied by the wrestling federation CHIKARA with the character CP Munk, the straight edge chipmunk. The character is simply a chipmunk mascot costume which includes references to Punk such as X marked wrist tape, a Pepsi logo on the costume's left shoulder, and a high-pitch version of Punk's best-known independent circuit theme song Miseria Cantare - The Beginning, as performed by the band AFI.[68]

Personal life

Punk was born, raised and lived in Chicago, Illinois with a father with alcohol problems,[64][5] two younger sisters[8] and a brother who grew up to also be a professional wrestler, using the ring name Mike Broox,[4][62] however Punk and Mike had a falling out after Mike embezzled several thousand dollars from the Lunatic Wrestling Federation.[69] Punk first wished to pursue a career in professional wrestling after watching Roddy Piper crack a coconut over Jimmy Snuka's head during an edition of the Piper's Pit.[3][7] While viewing his alcoholic father and reading that alcoholism may have been hereditary Punk made an agreement with himself to abstain from drinking alcohol to prevent the situation from occurring.[3] During high school Punk discovered the punk rock music genre, most importantly Minor Threat, and by extension found the punk subculture which in turn lead to the discovery of the straight edge culture, which Punk himself adopted.[3] After high school and beginning his wrestling career Punk moved out of the family house and lived for a time with fellow professional wrestler Allison Danger.[3] Punk later moved into an apartment with Ace Steel,[8] however since then Punk has made reference to living alone in Chicago. Punk worked other jobs to support himself in his early career, the last of which was as a laboratory technician for Underwriters Laboratories until he was fired due to poor conduct and work ethic in October, 2002.[3]

In relationships Punk has made reference to two ex-girlfriends in his early career[3][7] and later was romantically linked to professional wrestlers Shannon Spruill[70] and Tracy Brookshaw,[8] both of whom had managed him in ROH. Punk is currently dating WWE Diva Maria, which she confirmed in an interview with The Sun after pictures of the two kissing surfaced on the Internet.[71][72]

Non-wrestling TV appearances

CM Punk made an appearance on the February 16, 2004 episode of Monster Garage, "Box Truck Wrestling Car", performing a short match with Samoa Joe.[73] On October 31, 2006, CM Punk joined the The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) to shoot the Sci Fi Channel special Ghost Hunters Live, which was a six-hour show broadcast live Halloween night from the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. Initially skeptical about what he might find, Punk claimed to have heard children giggling and footsteps when there weren't any children booked into the hotel.[74] During his time there he made reference to Colt Cabana, claiming a friend of his "lost a toe once" in reference to a story about Cabana having lost a toe in a car crash when he only bruised it,[75][76] and Samoa Joe.

References

  1. ^ Lagatolla, Al (2001-05-29). "CM PUNK... part 6". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Originally a journal entry by Bobby Cruise for Ring of Honor available at ROHwrestling.com but the website has undergone a large maintenance and the journal entry was lost in the process. The relevant text was "I have heard people refer to ROH having three icons in Punk, Samoa Joe and Homicide. You could not have someone say Ring of Honor and not think of those three guys. Now, one of those icons is gone."
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v CM Punk (November). Shoot with CM Punk (DVD). RF Video. Retrieved 2007-04-14. {{cite AV media}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  4. ^ a b Lagattolla, Al (2001-12-17). "CM Venom Interview". Chicago Wrestling. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b c d e Robinson, Jon (2006-12-01). "CM Punk Interview". IGN. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ a b c d e Wojick, Alan (2003-06-21). "Wojick Interview". The Wrestling Clothesline. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ a b c d CM Punk; Colt Cabana (July 1). Straight Shootin' with CM Punk & Colt Cabana (DVD). Ring of Honor. Retrieved 2007-04-14. {{cite AV media}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  8. ^ a b c d e f g CM Punk; Samoa Joe (March 10). Straight Shootin' with Samoa Joe & CM Punk (DVD). Ring of Honor. Retrieved 2007-04-14. {{cite AV media}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  9. ^ Chris Hero (2005). Shoot with Chris Hero (DVD). RF Video. Retrieved 2007-04-14.
  10. ^ Hillhouse, Dave (2005-06-06). "CM Punk mulls over his future". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved 17 April. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ Lagattolla, Al (2003-04-05). "CM Punk, the trainer". Chicago Wrestling. Retrieved 17 April. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ CM Punk (2003-11-12). "My turn..." LiveJournal. Retrieved 13 July. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ Rose, Mark (2004-02-27). "Teddy Annis is at it Again! Plus Other Rants." Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 13 June. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ Burgan, Derek (2006-01-28). "Derek Burgan reviews Best of Teddy Hart & Jack Evans" (asp). Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 13 June. The interviewer immediately asked Teddy about the situation with CM Punk. "CM Punk, or Phil, whatever he wants to be known as in a shoot interview, took it upon himself to be spokesman for a group of people in ROH that though I took a show into my own hands." Teddy is referring to the Main Event Spectacles show I wrote about above. The scuttlebutt concerns the after-match shenanigans, when Teddy Hart lost his mind and started doing moonsaults from atop a steel cage platform onto wrestlers below who had no idea what he was doing {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ Lagattolla, Al (2004-05-29). "CM Punk Talks". Chicago Wrestling. Retrieved 26 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ Milner, John. "CM Punk". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved 17 April. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ Ziegler, Jacob (2006-05-06). "ROH - Unscripted II DVD Review". 411mania. Retrieved 13 June. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ Vetter, Chris (2006-04-12). "DVD Review: ROH, "Unscripted II," Feb. 11, 2006, with Punk & Dragon vs. Rave & Pearce, Aries-Nigel". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 13 June. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ Sherman, Dale (2005-09-24). "09/24/2005 - DAVIS ARENA". Ohio Valley Wrestling. Retrieved 26 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ Cantor, Brian (2005-09-15). "Latest on released WWE wrestler, Ken Kennedy, CM Punk injury" (php). Lords of Pain. Retrieved 26 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ Sherman, Dale (2005-11-12). "11/12/2005 - DAVIS ARENA". Ohio Valley Wrestling. Retrieved 26 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ Sherman, Dale (2005-12-17). "12/17/2005 - DAVIS ARENA". Ohio Valley Wrestling. Retrieved 26 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ Sherman, Dale (2006-01-07). "1/07/2006 - DAVIS ARENA". Ohio Valley Wrestling. Retrieved 26 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ Sherman, Dale (2006-02-04). "2/04/2006 - DAVIS ARENA". Ohio Valley Wrestling. Retrieved 26 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ "19.jpg". Obsessed With Wrestling. 2006-04-02. Retrieved 26 September. CM Punk as a gangster during John Cena's entrance {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ Sherman, Dale (2006-03-04). "3/04/2006 - DAVIS ARENA". Ohio Valley Wrestling. Retrieved 26 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ Sherman, Dale (2006-05-06). "5/06/2006 - DAVIS ARENA". Ohio Valley Wrestling. Retrieved 26 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ Sherman, Dale (2006-05-13). "5/13/2006 - DAVIS ARENA". Ohio Valley Wrestling. Retrieved 26 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ Sherman, Dale (2006-05-20). "5/20/2006 - DAVIS ARENA". Ohio Valley Wrestling. Retrieved 26 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ Sherman, Dale (2006-05-27). "5/27/2006 - DAVIS ARENA". Ohio Valley Wrestling. Retrieved 26 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ Skipper, Steve (2006-07-16). "7/15 OVW in Cordyon, Ind.: C.M. Punk vs. The Miz". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 26 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ Pro Wrestling History (2006-07-28). "Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom drawing 500". Ohio Valley Wrestling Six Flag Shows. Retrieved 27 August. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ Sherman, Dale (2006-08-05). "08/05/2006 - DAVIS ARENA". Ohio Valley Wrestling. Retrieved 26 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  34. ^ Sherman, Dale (2006-08-12). "08/12/2006 - DAVIS ARENA". Ohio Valley Wrestling. Retrieved 26 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ Sherman, Dale (2006-09-02). "09/02/2006 - DAVIS ARENA". Ohio Valley Wrestling. Retrieved 26 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  36. ^ Sherman, Dale (2007-04-07). "OVW's 400th Episode!". Ohio Valley Wrestling. Retrieved 17 April. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  37. ^ Magee, Bob (2006-06-25). "6/24 WWE at ECW Arena". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 26 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  38. ^ "South Philly Screwjob". World Wrestling Entertainment. 2006-07-04. Retrieved 26 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ Hunt, Jen (2006-08-01). "Sabu strikes again". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 26 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  40. ^ Hunt, Jen (2006-08-22). "Sabu snaps". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 26 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  41. ^ Hunt, Jen (2006-08-29). "Dr. Frankenstein prevails". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 26 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  42. ^ a b Hoffman, Brett (2006-09-12). "Garden Showstopper". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2 October. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  43. ^ Tello, Craig (2006-11-07). "Messiah's revelations". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 10 April. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  44. ^ Tello, Craig (2006-11-14). "Lashley unleashed on ECW". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 10 April. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  45. ^ Dee, Louis (2006-11-26). "D-Xtreme dominance". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 10 April. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  46. ^ Tello, Craig (2006-12-03). "Mission accomplished". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 10 April. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  47. ^ http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_kmtmh/is_200612/ai_n16967377
  48. ^ Tello, Craig (2007-01-09). "No con-Test". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 10 April. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  49. ^ Tello, Craig (2007-01-30). "Dead ringer". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 10 April. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  50. ^ Tello, Craig (2007-02-20). "Dominant gene". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 10 April. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  51. ^ Starr, Noah (2007-03-26). "The circle is complete". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 10 April. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  52. ^ Difino, Lennie (2007-03-30). "Next stop: Detroit". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 10 April. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  53. ^ McAvennie, Mike (2007-04-01). "'Bank' on Kennedy! Kennedy!". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 10 April. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  54. ^ Robinson, Bryan (2007-04-10). "Edge goes straight to the New Breed". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 11 April. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  55. ^ Tello, Craig (2007-03-06). "Rattlesnake's venomous visit". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 10 April. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  56. ^ Robinson, Bryan (2007-03-21). "Masterpiece theater, Lashley-style". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 10 April. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  57. ^ Robinson, Bryan (2007-04-24). "Making painful statements". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 1 May. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  58. ^ Rote, Andrew (2007-05-20). "On his own". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 24 June. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  59. ^ Robinson, Bryan (2007-06-19). "The beginning of a new ECW dawn". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 24 June. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  60. ^ Robinson, Bryan (2007-06-24). "ECW World Title goes A-list". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 25 June. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  61. ^ "WWE UnCut: CM Punk". World Wrestling Entertainment. 2007-05-29. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  62. ^ a b c "Datenbank Profil - CM Punk" (in German). Cagematch.de. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  63. ^ CM Punk (2006). Entrance video. World Wrestling Entertainment.
  64. ^ a b CM Punk (2006). "The Illustrated Man". WWE Magazine: 13. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  65. ^ CM Punk (2 April). Best Of American Super Juniors Tournament (DVD). Ring of Honor. Retrieved 2007-04-14. {{cite AV media}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  66. ^ "ECW T-Shirt Designs" (php). Punk-Wrestling. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  67. ^ Martin, Fin (June 2007), "What's Going Down...", Power Slam, no. 155, p. 4{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  68. ^ Vetter, Chris (2005-10-04). "Tape review: Chikara, "Negative Balance," Aug. 13, w/Hero-Kingston, Claudio-Quack, Cannon-Reckless" (cgi). Pro Wrestling Torch. CP Munk is a wrestler in a chipmunk costume, like a school mascot outfit. He has a Pepsi tattoo on his arm, he wears basketball trunks, and he came out to an AFI song… good comedy, and the crowd all knew this was a fun parody of CM Punk. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  69. ^ Lagattolla, Al (2001-05-28). "CM PUNK INTERVIEW - Part 2". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  70. ^ Cash, Chris (2005-11-12). "Mick Foley Discusses WWE Return & Flair, Daffney Discusses TNA & Diva Search". Rajah. On the topic of CM Punk and their relationship, she said that the break-up was partially contributed to the two never being able to see each other (her in Louisville and him in Philly). {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  71. ^ Rift, Aaron (2006-06-03). "Maria talks about her relationship with CM Punk". NoDQ. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  72. ^ "Pictures of CM Punk and Maria Kanellis". WRESTLESCOOP.com.
  73. ^ "Interview Highlights: Samoa Joe talks about his decision to sign with TNA, his future". Pro Wrestling Torch. 2005-08-01. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  74. ^ Medalis, Kara A. (2006-10-30). "CM Punk goes ghost hunting". World Wrestling Entertainment. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  75. ^ Radican, Sean (2006-10-30). "Colt Cabana involved in car accident, toe amputated". Pro Wrestling Torch. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  76. ^ Radican, Sean (2006-10-31). "Cabana's toe not amputated". Pro Wrestling Torch. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
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