'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
AEW's signing of CM Punk is one of the greatest comeback stories of 2021. After seven years away from the ring, the Straight Edge Superstar has proven why he earned the moniker of "Best In The World" with his weekly All Elite performance.
However, AEW generally appeals to a much younger demographic. This new generation of fans might not be aware of the former WWE champion's long history in the industry. Hence, here are ten facts the AEW audience needs to know about the AEW star.
#10. Facts the AEW audience needs to know about CM Punk - He had a brief stint in IMPACT
Trending
Before WWE and AEW, CM Punk had a brief stint in IMPACT Wrestling (then known as TNA) early in his career. He was only there between June 2003 to April 2004. But this was the first time Punk had received national exposure beyond the independent circuit.
During his short stint, he had notable feuds against Shane Douglas and The Sandman. He also became a member of Raven's stable, The Gathering.
CM Punk had massive success in the Tag Team division alongside Julio Dinero and also wrestled in several gimmick hardcore bouts such as the Clockwork Orange House Of Fun and the Dog Collar matches. However, before he could truly establish himself in the company, he quit after an internal dispute.
#9. Punk's Straight Edge character is inspired by his real-life beliefs
The straight edge lifestyle of CM Punk started way before wrestling, but he eventually made it part of his gimmick. As a result, he refrains from smoking, alcohol, or drugs. Depending on the booking of his character, he uses those beliefs to either win over the audience or have them turn on him.
While WWE has utilized Punk's straight-edge lifestyle in both honorable or self-righteous ways, it generated a greater reaction as a heel. He even led a stable called the Straight Edge Society with Luke Gallows, Serena Deeb, and Joey Mercury.
AEW hasn't used the straight-edge lifestyle of Punk to further any storyline yet. However, they have only acknowledged it, so it will be interesting if this part of his character is emphasized in future feuds.
#8. The meaning behind "CM"
AEW fans might wonder where CM Punk got his initials from. Many have considered them to be "Cookie Monster" or "Cookie Master" because of his love of cookies. Other suggestions include Charles Montgomery, Chuck Mosley, Crooked Moonsault, Charles Manson, or Chicago Made.
It stands for "Chick Magnet," as revealed by Punk himself when he was sworn under oath during his defamation lawsuit against WWE.
“Originally it stood for Chick Magnet. I got put into a tag team with this other dude on a whim because somebody didn't show up to a show... I tried to get rid of it, and it wound up getting shortened to the initials. I was always Punk, but Chick Magnet at least got shortened to CM,” Punk said.
The name has stuck with Punk, and he has used it throughout his wrestling career in different companies such as IMPACT, WWE, and now, AEW.
#7. CM Punk paid for all the ice-cream bars on his AEW debut
Punk's AEW debut at Rampage: The First Dance on August 20th set the wrestling world ablaze. The Straight Edge Superstar ended the now-iconic segment by announcing free ice cream bars for fans at the United Center in Chicago.
Taking to Instagram, Pretty Cool Ice Cream, the brand that produced the bars, revealed CM Punk paid for them from his own pocket. They also said he came up with this idea two years ago. Pretty Cool further disclosed that their team worked tirelessly to make every custom-made bar by hand.
"The big moment- when @cmpunk thanks his fans for waiting, and to grab some ice cream on him. Were you there?! Since we have been getting a lot of questions, yes the ice cream was on him- it wasn’t a publicity stunt dreamed up by promoters. He came to us on his own and asked us to help him do this 2 years ago, and finally the moment was right. Our small team worked tirelessly to hand make every bar, and CM Punk wrote the check for the entire bill himself," wrote Pretty Cool.
It was an excellent callback to a previous promo with Vince McMahon, where he demanded that the former bring back the once-popular WWE ice cream bars.
#6. CM Punk's real-life beef with fellow AEW star Colt Cabana
CM Punk and current AEW star Colt Cabana used to be the best of friends. The former WWE champion even gave a shoutout during his pipebomb promo. Upon being released from the company, Punk even infamously went on Cabana's podcast Art Of Wrestling to criticize how his firing was handled.
The fallout from that interview led WWE to sue both Punk and Cabana over the comments, which eventually led to the dissolution of their friendship.
Cabana sued Punk over legal fees that stemmed from the original lawsuit. He filed for breach of contract and fraud regarding their legal battle against WWE doctor Chris Amann. In the documents, Colt claimed Punk promised he'd be "100% covered" in their defamation battle.
Unfortunately, a close friendship would end due to a financial dispute. Now that both wrestlers are in AEW, it will be interesting to see if they will ever share screentime.
#4. CM Punk appeared as a gangster during John Cena's entrance at WrestleMania 22
Many of you might not know that Punk was one of the many vintage gangsters in John Cena‘s WrestleMania 22 entrance. The event took place in Chicago and had a mob theme.
During this time, Punk was still in OVW, WWE's developmental system. The company has a history of using its developmental talent as extras on the main show.
Before his official debut, Punk first appeared on WWE television as one of the gangsters holding a tommy gun and wearing a fedora hat-suit combo alongside John Cena before his match against Triple H for the WWE Championship.
#4. CM Punk's love of tattoos
AEW star CM Punk is well-known for his tattoos. While many of his tattoos have a deeply personal meaning, others highlight various aspects of his personality.
For example, Punk has a tattoo made in honor of Harley Race, one of the most influential trainers in wrestling history. He was a wrestling legend who had a massive impact on CM Punk throughout his career. When Harley passed away, Punk got a peacock tattoo with his signature crown on his left leg as a tribute.
One of the most recognizable tattoos on Punk's upper body is the Pepsi logo on his left shoulder. Unlike most of Punk's ink, there is no deep-rooted meaning behind the tattoo, as he simply enjoys Pepsi products. It is a perfect example of Punk marching to the beat of his own drum.
CM Punk's tattoos have many themes, but one that shows up frequently is symbols representing good luck. He has a four-leaf clover and a Japanese Koi fish on his left forearm and a rabbit's foot on his shoulder, all of which are symbolic of good fortune.
He also has a tattoo of the number 13, which he has said is his lucky number, on his right elbow. Punk's sleeve tattoos point towards various references to “luck,” a “No gimmicks needed” tattoo on the back of his left hand, which is a tribute to late wrestler Chris Candido, a Cobra Command logo on his right shoulder, and plenty others.
His most iconic ink art would be the “Straight Edge” and “Drug-Free” tattoos on his stomach and knuckles, respectively, which speak out about his beliefs on a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle.
#3. CM Punk has inspired many of the young wrestlers in AEW
CM Punk's influence on the current AEW roster is apparent. Many of the young stars cite him as the reason they got into pro wrestling, including Darby Allin and MJF. Darby even shares the same "Drug-Free" tattoo on his knuckle with the Straight Edge Superstar.
Punk has also shown that he is willing to put over young talents to help the next generation. His first match after seven years was against Darby Allin, and currently, he is embroiled in an intense feud with MJF, who openly talked about being a CM Punk fan.
#2. CM Punk's 434-day reign is the sixth-longest of all time
Despite being in AEW, CM Punk's legacy will always be tied to the WWE. He was one of the best champions in recent memory.
He won the WWE title in 2011, defeating top WWE Superstars like Daniel Bryan, Randy Orton, and The Miz, among others. He held the championship for a record-setting 434 days, the sixth-longest of all time, eventually losing it to The Rock.
CM Punk had a terrific WWE career with multiple championships and achievements, including being a Triple Crown winner and two-time Money in the Bank winner.
Unfortunately, he couldn't headline a WrestleMania main event or win a Royal Rumble match, but his achievements in the company will always be well-regarded by wrestling fans.
#1. Before MJF defeated CM Punk on AEW Dynamite, the last person to beat him was Roman Reigns in 2014
The highly-anticipated match between CM Punk and MJF finally took place at this week's AEW Dynamite in Chicago. After almost 45 epic minutes, the latter won with the help of Wardlow, thereby giving Punk his first loss in the company.
This is the first time CM Punk has suffered defeat since returning to pro wrestling. The last time that happened was on January 6, 2014, when he was beaten by a young Roman Reigns who was still part of The Shield then.
The fact that Punk has put the future star of WWE and future star of AEW over back to back is not lost on most fans. He truly is a giving performer willing to aid the next generation.
