5 of CM Punk's unique achievements in WWE

More than 4 years have passed since CM Punk walked out on WWE. CM Punk can be considered as one of the most charismatic superstars of the current era. He knew how to tell his stories, how to get the WWE Universe involved in what he was doing in the ring, cut effective promos, deliver epic matches, etc.

CM Punk quit WWE in 2014 during the Raw after Royal Rumble. There are many speculations with regards what led CM Punk to take such a big step in the middle of an ongoing show. CM Punk was scheduled to appear on Raw, and his departure caused several WrestleMania season plans to be re-written.

CM Punk was supposed to re-start his feud with Triple H, as it started becoming evident with his feuds against Corporate Kane and The Shield. CM Punk and Triple H’s rivalry would have culminated in a match at WrestleMania, but as you all may remember, CM Punk's departure resulted in him getting replaced in the feud against The Authority by Daniel Bryan who was then forced to pull double duty at WrestleMania 30.

Although CM Punk’s career didn’t end as well as it started in 2006, you can’t deny his stardom. CM Punk accomplished so much in less than 8 years that it makes you wonder how much more he could have achieved had he stayed for a few more years. Here we discuss 5 unique accomplishments of CM Punk in WWE.

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#5 Longest reigning WWE Champion of the modern era

CM Punk remains one of the longest reigning World Champions

It would be better to start off the list with the most obvious pick. CM Punk defeated Alberto Del Rio at Survivor Series 2011 to become the WWE Champion for the 2nd time in his career.

CM Punk then held the title for over 14 months. CM Punk’s title reign lasted 434 days, and during his reign, he feuded with several superstars of the past and present - including The Rock, Chris Jericho, John Cena, Dolph Ziggler, Daniel Bryan, etc. His reign ended at Royal Rumble 2013 when he was defeated by The Rock.

CM Punk’s 434-day reign made him the longest reigning World Champion in the modern era. CM Punk also became the first superstar in over 20 years to start and end a year as the World Champion without ever losing the title in-between.

CM Punk’s record reign was surpassed in 2018 by Brock Lesnar as he held onto the Universal Title for over 500 days, but Lesnar wrestled as a part-timer who didn’t need to appear every week. Whereas CM Punk showed up every week, and even defended the title at live events, therefore CM Punk's reign does hold more value.

#4 Dropping the biggest pipe bomb

CM Punk dropped the best pipe bomb in WWE history

CM Punk made history on June 27 2011 when he cost John Cena his match against R-Truth, proceeded towards the entrance ramp, sat there, and dropped the greatest pipe bomb in the history of professional wrestling.

It may have been a work, but every word CM Punk said in that promo was true. CM Punk talked about how superstars like John Cena, Hulk Hogan and The Rock remained in the good books of Vince McMahon and became the top stars of their respective eras. CM Punk also addressed part-timers like The Rock main eventing big shows like WrestleMania.

According to the storyline which was being followed, CM Punk was in line for a shot at the WWE Championship. He was supposed to face John Cena at Money in the Bank in July, but his contract was about to expire on the same day, and he wasn’t re-signing.

CM Punk was threatening to leave WWE as the WWE Champion, and defend the title on promotions like NJPW, ROH, etc.

The promo although was a work, let CM Punk air his grievances, making the promo seem so real as Punk addressed issues which were really bothering him at that time. The promo ended when CM Punk’s mic was muted, but even till date - this 5 minute promo remains the best WWE promo.

#3 Two time MITB winner

CM Punk won and successfully cashed-in his money in the bank contracts in 2008 and 2009

CM Punk became the first and only superstar to win the Money in the Bank ladder match two times. At WrestleMania 24, CM Punk won the MITB ladder match and went on to successfully cash-in his contract against the World Heavyweight Champion Edge in June 2008 on an episode of Raw.

CM Punk had a decent run as the World Champion, and defended his title against the likes of Batista and JBL.

CM Punk was scheduled to defend his championship in a 5 way championship scramble against Batista, JBL, Kane and Rey Mysterio at Unforgiven 2008, but he was attacked by Randy Orton and his Legacy stablemates before the match. Causing CM Punk to vacate the title and be pulled out of the match. He was replaced by the eventual winner, Chris Jericho.

The following year at WrestleMania 25, CM Punk again won the Money in the Bank ladder match, and this time he cashed-in his contract on Jeff Hardy, who had just won the World Title in a ladder match against Edge.

CM Punk defeated Jeff Hardy in a minute to become the World Heavyweight Champion for the 2nd time, turning heel in the process - for the first time ever in WWE. CM Punk then feuded with the likes of Jeff Hardy and The Undertaker for the World Title in the following months.

#2 Three time World Champion

CM Punk

When CM Punk defeated John Cena at Money in the Bank 2011 to win his first WWE Championship, he became the second WWE Superstar after Kane to have reigned as the World Heavyweight Champion (WWE’s version), WWE Champion, and ECW Champion (WWE’s version).

Although Big Show won these 3 titles as well, he didn’t win WWE’s version of the World Heavyweight Championship until 2012, and only reigned as the WCW World Champion in the 1990’s.

CM Punk, on the other hand, won all these World Championships in WWE in under 4 years, but it took Kane 12 years to achieve this feat.

CM Punk won the ECW Championship from John Morrison in August 2007, won his first World Heavyweight Championship in June 2008, and dethroned John Cena to claim his first WWE Championship in July 2011.

This is a rare feat, only achieved by 3 superstars, CM Punk, Kane and Big Show. Big Show defeated Sheamus in October 2012 to win WWE’s version of World Heavyweight Championship.

#1 Main roster’s last 5 star match

CM Punk vs John Cena was a 33 minute match with intense action and amazing story-telling

Dave Meltzer is a journalist and quite a controversial figure in the world of professional wrestling. He has been reporting wrestling related news, and covering wrestling events for many years now. His star rating system is quite famous.

He rates almost every pay per view match on a star scale ranging from 0 to 5 stars. Although many people often disagree with his ratings, it can’t be denied that people remain curious to see how many stars he has given a particular match. For the past 7 years, he hasn’t given any main roster match full 5 stars, though he has given 5 stars to some NXT matches this year.

The last main roster match to be given 5 stars took place at Money in the Bank 2011. The match was for the WWE Championship, and featured John Cena squaring off against CM Punk in CM Punk’s final WWE match (storyline final). The match had everything, from amazing in-ring action featuring amazing spots, to intense storytelling.

At one point, John Laurinaitis came down running to the ring, asking for the bell to be ringed, and John Cena declared as the winner. This angle would have been similar to the Montreal Screwjob angle in 1997, but John Cena stopped Laurinaitis, and as soon as he returned to the ring, he was hit with a GTS and pinned by CM Punk.

CM Punk then went on to (kayfabe) leave the company with the WWE Title. This match lasted over 30 minutes, and had every right to be called one of the best wrestling matches in a long time.