When it comes to wrestling, specifically in WWE, there is one name that has taken on almost
mythic properties for an army of loyal fans.
CM Punk.
What does the CM stand for?
Chicago Made?
Chick Magnet?
Chuck Mosely?
Can’t MMA?
Too soon.
With news that Phil Brooks’ next career move is to become a colour commentator for
CFFC MMA and not return to wrestling as many had hoped, we take a look back at the defining
moments of his illustrious career.
I’m El Fakidor Laurie Blake, look in my eyes, what do you see, a list of CM Punk History.
10.
Cashing In MITB Back in 2008, cashing in the Money in the
Bank contract was a relatively new concept, the deed had only been done three times before:
twice by Edge and once by Rob Van Dam.
We were a far cry from Baron Corbin cocking it up or Mr Monster in the Bank politely asking
for a match.
So when Edge was assaulted by Batista on the Raw after Night of Champions and left laying
in the ring, fans were initially a bit confused when Punk’s music hit.
But once he walked out with referee Mike Chioda in tow, people knew he meant business, I mean
he was carrying a briefcase which screams business, and no amount of being in your pants
can take that away.
After a quick GTS and the old 1,2,3 Punk picked up his very first world title reign in WWE,
a shocking rise to the top considering he had only signed on with WWE developmental
a few years previously.
Considering that he was a champion in Ring of Honor before joining WWE it’s no surprise
he was pushed, but boy this was fast for the time.
9.
Winning MITB Twice And if once wasn't enough, CM Punk is the
only person to ever have won the briefcase twice in the actual ladder match, having climbed
to the top at both WrestleMania 24 & 25.
Once again he used the briefcase to kick someone while they were down, this time cashing in
on Jeff Hardy.
What a cult of personality.
In this instance Hardy has just toppled Edge at Extreme Rules when Punk popped on down
to the ring and sent Jeff to nap-time go bye bye land making himself the World Heavyweight
Champion yet again.
Given that being a two-time Money in the Bank winner is one of the few records of Punk’s
that WWE don’t seem to trying to wipe from the face of the planet makes it even more
special.
Unless of course we’re counting what happened with Carmella as a two time victory?
Surely not.
8.
The 434 Day Title Reign Here’s a record that WWE were trying to
completely scrub out of existence, so much so they gave Tardy Boy Brock Lesnar a 504
day reign as Universal Champion to make him the longest reigning champ of the modern era.
The difference between Punk and Brock though, is about 100 pounds of pure meaty man ham,
and the fact that Punk actually defended his title during his reign.
During his run with the belt, Punk managed to see off the likes of Orton and Cena which
is pretty darned impressive considering how they were being put over at the time.
Of course, the champ eventually found himself stuck between a rock and The Rock, losing
the title to Dwayno at the Royal Rumble in 2013.
And now AJ Styles is slowly creeping on up on that WWE title reign too, so he may not
even be the longest reigning WWE Champ of the modern era soon.
[REMOVE] 7.
Straight Edge Society Described as a "Villainous Alliance" by Wikipedia,
the Straight Edge Society was a stable headed by CM Punk between 2009 and 2010.
It featured Luke Gallows, Serena Deeb, Joey Mercury, and later the Big Show for some reason.
The idea was fairly simple, a militant organisation that denounced anyone that didn’t live a
straight-edged lifestyle.
They were dead fun at parties basically.
During their 10 month run, one highlight was the 2010 Royal Rumble where Punk entered third,
giving an intermittent sermon as he eliminated any and all comers, while saying he was better
because he was straight edge.
It was brilliant piece of mic work, but was unfortunately stifled by the arrival of Triple
H, who was better than everyone because he was telling them what to do.
The Society disbanded in 2010 after Serena was released from her contract and Luke Gallows
was also released shortly after, collapsing the stable.
6.
Starting In UFC After his widely publicised departure from
WWE in 2014, CM Punk was on the lookout for some new career moves.
After dabbling in comics, he found his way to the world of mixed martial arts.
Because the pen is mightier than the sword, but the punch and rear naked choke are mightier
than the pen.
Brooks was a huge fan of the sport but few expected him to step inside the Octagon.
And after he stepped in few thought he’d be stepping out under his own steam tbh.
Unfortunately for Punk MMA doesn’t seem like his true calling, after a decimation
at the hands of Mickey Gall in his first bout and a more spirited showing in another loss
to Mike Jackson, UFC President Dana White said he won’t allow Punk to fight in his
company any more.
Punk may not be getting back into the cage, but he’s still at the zoo so to speak, as
it was announced on November 8th that he’s taking up a commentary position with CFFC
a New Jersey based cagefighting promotion.
5.
Leaving With WWE Title This was a super cool moment.
In early 2011, CM Punk announced that his WWE contract would be expiring on June 17,
which just happened to be the same day as the Money in the Bank PPV, which is fortunate,
because otherwise this story wouldn’t work.
Punk vowed to best champion John Cena at the event and leave WWE with the title.
And guess what.
That's exactly what he did!
Even knocking out Alberto Del Rio to stop him making a hail mary Money in the Bank cash
in to keep the title in the company, before hopping the barricade and leaving through
a hometown crowd that was popping off.
It was obviously all a storyline, but it really felt at the time like Punk was one of the
first to battle against the "authority" and win.
Props to Vince too for some solid face acting in this bit.
4.
Walking Out On WWE
Who would have thought that the 2014 Royal Rumble would be the last time we ever saw
CM Punk in a WWE ring?
Punk suffered a concussion at the hands of R-Truth during this match and the decision
was taken to pull him from the contest, so The Big Red Machine clicked into gear and
rather anticlimactically tipped him out.
Cool.
Punk has explained that after the match he met with Triple H and Vince McMahon and told
them he wasn’t going to wrestle for them again and just left.
For reals this time, no kayfabe.
He was story-line suspended from the company and never seen again, as all of his records
and accomplishments get slowly wiped from the history books.
WWE, then chose a lovely day to sack him: 3.
Sacked On His Wedding Day Here is a list of the types of post you are
allowed to receive on your wedding day: wedding cards with money in, wedding cards without
money in from your stingier friends, wedding cards without money in from someone who already
bought you a toaster, water bills because they are automated and they didn’t know
it was your wedding day.
Here is a list of all the types of post you should not be receiving on your wedding day:
all other post, but especially a letter saying your contract has been terminated.
But that’s exactly what happened to Punk on June 13, 2014 as he was set to marry AJ
Lee.
By the time the big day rolled around Punk had not been seen on WWE TV for over four
months, Phil said he had spoken to Triple H shortly before his wedding and Hunter had
said that he would call Punk to discuss after the wedding.
However, instead of a call, he got a letter telling him that he was no longer employed
by WWE.
Congratulations!
2.
Winning The Lawsuit It was the trial of 2018, for people who were
fans of wrestling, everyone else was still just like ‘is it real though?’
CM Punk took on WWE doctor Chris Amman in the courts, after Punk openly accused Amman
of neglect in his duties towards him, most notably misdiagnosing a staph infection on
his leg.
Amman naturally disputed this, and attempted to sue Punk and Colt Cabana for defamation
- as it was on Colt’s podcast that Punk made the claims in the first place.
After several days of court proceedings it was concluded that Punk and Cabana had done
no wrong.
This was obviously a massive victory for the two as a behemoth like WWE losing a court
battle against two men is almost unheard of.
However the drama didn’t end there as Punk and Cabana fell out over legal fees, but that’s
a whole ‘nother thing to get into.
1.
The Pipebomb We all know how this one goes.
Man comes out on stage, sits down cross-legged and shoots on the company he works for on
their biggest television programme.
This was all set-up for CM Punk leaving with the title come Money in the Bank in 2011.
Punk interjected himself in a tables match between Champion John Cena and R-Truth, helping
Truth score the win.
Then, grabbing a microphone, he said he had a ‘lot of things to get off his chest’.
He said he was the best in the world, said John Cena was better at kissing Vince McMahon’s
ass, he was as good as Hulk Hogan, as good as Dwayne,
He broke the fourth wall.
Said he was under promoted, said the fans were part of the problem, mentioned the cursed
words of New Japan and Ring of Honor, said hi to Colt Cabana,
He said the company wouldn’t even be better if Vince was dead - because it would be taken
over by his stupid daughter, doofus son-in-law and the rest of his idiot family - that’s
best in the world Shane McMahon to you.
And then the mic cut-out, cementing this as a truly legendary promo and one fans have
been trying to work out whether is real or fake for years since.
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So that was blooming shocking, but how about Survivor Series, have there been shocking
moments there too?
Yes there have, tonnes of them, click the video on screen now if you want to find out
about them.
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I’ve been El Fakidor and that was lucha.