8 wrestlers AEW star CM Punk reportedly dated before marrying AJ Lee

AEW wrestler CM Punk has dated several fellow wrestlers during his career
AEW wrestler CM Punk has dated several fellow wrestlers during his career

CM Punk joined AEW in August this year. One of the biggest names in wrestling, CM Punk's appearances on AEW have boosted the young promotion.

Punk is happily married to former WWE Superstar AJ Lee. However, before the two tied the knot, Punk was romantically involved with several wrestlers.

Reports suggest CM Punk has been involved with around a dozen wrestlers. While most reports can be gossip, a few have been confirmed by Punk or his former partners.

Let's take a look at the eight wrestlers CM Punk dated before marrying AJ Lee.


#8. TNA Knockout Traci Brooks reportedly dated CM Punk

TNA Knockout Traci Brooks is married to AEW star Frankie Kazarian. Before Kazarian and Traci got together, she dated CM Punk.

The two wrestlers kept their relationship under wraps, but several photos confirm they were romantically involved. Traci served as The Second City Saint's valet, and the two were part of The Gathering in TNA.

CM Punk and Traci haven’t spoken much about their relationship. However, the internet has been able to uncover their secret.


#7. Former TNA Becky Bayless was reportedly romantically involved with the AEW star

Becky Bayless worked for TNA for some time as Cookie. CM Punk has spoken about how the "CM" in his name stands for "Cookie Monster."

While that could simply be due to his love for cookies, Becky Bayless could've also changed her name for the AEW star.

According to many reports, the Punk dated Bayless for some time. It may all just be gossip, but there are enough reports to suggest that the two were involved.


#6. Former WCW wrestler Daffney dated CM Punk for some time

Earlier this year, former WCW wrestler Daffney died by suicide. Known as The Scream Queen, Daffney became only the second woman to win the WCW Cruiserweight Championship.

Behind the scenes, Daffney was romantically involved with CM Punk. The two dated for some time in the mid-2000s after Daffney divorced Rich Ward in 2003.

Punk took to Twitter following Daffney’s suicide and asked his followers to reach out, seek help, and assist each other. Her passing surely must've affected the AEW star.

#5. Former WWE Superstar Maria Kanellis and AEW star CM Punk dated for some time

CM Punk worked with several female superstars during his time in WWE. While working in WWE’s developmental territory, Punk got romantically involved with Maria Kanellis.

Pictures of the couple started making the rounds as the two got close. PWMania.com later spoke to Maria about dating CM Punk and his decision to walk out of WWE.

“CM Punk is the example you use when you talk about independent wrestlers who come to WWE. He was the first in that transition. He came from the independents and made a name for himself in WWE. He’s already done the work and doesn’t need to do anything else in his career to solidify the statement he has made. He changed wrestling forever because he showed that some dirty, stinky wrestler from Chicago can become a famous superstar. So whatever he decides is the right decision for him.”

Maria was professional while talking about the current AEW star. She is now married to fellow wrestler Mike Bennett.

#4. AEW star CM Punk dated Kelly Kelly early in her career

Kelly Kelly is another former WWE superstar CM Punk worked with. Kelly Kelly joined WWE when she was just a teenager.

She debuted for ECW in 2006. WWE put her in a storyline with CM Punk, and the two worked together for some time. During the storyline, Kelly developed a liking for Punk.

Behind the scenes, Punk and Kelly got involved romantically. The two dated for some time before Kelly met ice hockey player Sheldon Souray. Kelly and Souray married in 2011.

In an interview with The Tomorrow Show with Keven Undergaro, Kelly revealed that Souray was good friends with CM Punk. She added that Souray lost a bet to Punk and had to get his symbol tattooed on his shoulder.

“Shel is really good friends with CM Punk. He lost a bet to Punk and had to get his symbol tattooed, so my husband has a CM Punk symbol.”

Kelly and Sheldon divorced in 2017. In April 2021, she married bodybuilder Joe Coba. Meanwhile, Seldon and the AEW star are still good friends.

#3. IMPACT Champion Mickie James dated AEW star CM Punk

Mickie James and CM Punk came into WWE as a couple. WWE thought of debuting as a couple before dropping the idea.

While Punk has dated some of the most successful women in wrestling, not many have been as successful as Mickie.

Speaking to The Swerve Magazine, the IMPACT Knockouts Champion opened up about her WWE debut. She spoke about how WWE decided to keep her and Punk separated even though they were in a relationship.

“CM Punk and myself debuted on Sunday Night Heat, and that match was pulled off the show because when we came (backstage), they’re like ‘You guys don’t fit together. It was great, we loved it, but you guys just don’t work together.’ (That) was funny because we had worked together in TNA, but in a different capacity. It was really frustrating because I was, like, ‘Is this going to happen?’ or ‘When is this going to happen.’"

Mickie is now successfully ruling IMPACT's women's division. CM Punk, on the other hand, is looking to make his way up in AEW.

#2. AEW star CM Punk dated WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix

Beth Phoenix and CM Punk are two wrestlers who are married to fellow wrestlers. Before Phoenix married WWE Hall of Famer Edge and Punk tied the knot with AJ Lee, the two were dating.

Phoenix and Punk exchanged some blows during their time in the ring. CM Punk was the man who eliminated her from the 2010 men’s Royal Rumble match.

Behind the scenes, the two were in a relationship. Things probably did not end too well as Punk fired shots at The Glamazon during an appearance on the Holberg’s Morning Circus radio show. CM Punk said:

“I just ended a relationship… No, it doesn’t hurt at all. It pisses me off to watch people you love and admire become complete douche-bags… People just flake… I realized that it doesn’t matter who it was, as long as someone was her boyfriend.”

Beth Phoenix is now happily married to The Rated-R Superstar. The couple has two beautiful daughters together. CM Punk married AJ Lee and the two are living happily together.

#1. WWE Hall of Famer Lita dated AEW star CM Punk

WWE Hall of Famer Lita is arguably the biggest name to have dated CM Punk. Lita led the women’s division to new heights and won several championships.

Lita dated Punk from 2009 to 2010, and again from late 2012 to September 2013. The two broke up after the Punk started dating AJ Lee

On Oral Sessions with Renee Paquette, Lita called out the double standards for facing backlash for cheating on Matt Hardy, while Edge and CM Punk were never asked about it.

“It’s still talked about. My relationships are commented on a regular basis, on my Instagram still or social media. Meanwhile, all of the men involved, you know, anything not controversial like with [CM] Punk or Edge or Matt, I guarantee they don’t get asked about it. I know they don’t get asked about it because they’re dudes, and, you know, it’s that double standard thing. I think at this point that’s the problem; what I hold onto, feeling the double standard.”

Lita is still one of the biggest names in wrestling. Many fans are hoping to see her return to the ring. Meanwhile, The Second City Saint is busy making a name for himself in AEW.

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Edited by Abhinav Singh
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