Happy birthday CM Punk: A tribute to the 'Best in the World'

Departure from WWE

Punk did not appear on the following episodes of Raw and Smackdown after the 2014 Royal Rumble despite being advertised for the programme.

It was reported that Punk had walked out on Vince McMahon and Triple H saying he was going home, after which Vince McMahon reported that Punk was on a sabbatical. Punk's absence from Raw and Smackdown continued.

On July 15, WWE.com removed Punk from the active roster to the alumni page without an official statement. In late July, Punk claimed that he was done with wrestling and that he would never return to the WWE.

Punk revealed in an interview that he was suspended for 2 months after walking out, but after the suspension ended nobody from the WWE contacted him and finally when he approached the company in order to settle the unpaid royalties, which is when the company officials mistreated him and made him run around.

Punk's termination paper was issued to him on his wedding day which was the last straw for him and he declared that he would never return to WWE.

In another interview, he revealed how the WWE made him fight even when he was injured as a result of which he could never fully recover. Punk stated that he was suffering from a life-threatening MRSA infection, broken ribs, injured knees and frequent concussions.

He had reportedly lost his appetite and the ability to sleep. Other reasons for Punk's departure were also explained by him stating clearly and fearlessly that WWE made him lose his passion for wrestling.

He divulged as to how the company had no long-term plans for any superstar other than John Cena, smaller paychecks and his inability to main event a WrestleMania because of which he considers his entire career to be a failure.

On a brighter note, Punk revealed at the time of the interview that he was the happiest person he had been in many years.

Titles held

Throughout his 15-year wrestling career, Punk has been the recipient of numerous titles. Most notably he has been the longest reigning WWE champion in the modern era having held the reputed title for 434 days from 20th November 2011 to 27th January 2013.

Other titles include the ROH Championship and the ECW Championship once, WWE World Heavyweight Championship thrice and the WWE Championship twice. He has also won the World Tag Team Championship with Kofi Kingston and the Intercontinental Championship too.

Marriage

On 13 June 2014 Punk tied the know with fellow WWE superstar and former WWE divas champion A.J. Lee. I guess he really does dig crazy chicks!

UFC

At UFC 181 on 6th December 2014, Punk announced that he was now under contract with the UFC and will be fighting as a mixed martial artist in the middleweight or welterweight division.

Punk is a self-professed expert in Brazilian jiu-jitsu which he claims will help him in his newfound career. His colleagues at the UFC have already spoken fondly of Punk and his dedication and hard work towards his training.

As I write this article, Punk is probably training under Duke Roufus at the Roufusport MMA academy based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

I guess this is really good news for me and the other Punksters (that's a name CM Punk can use for his many fans around the world) that once again we will get to see Phillip Jack Brooks a.k.a CM Punk in action.