In 2011, CM Punk's World Wrestling Entertainment
experience was reborn with a crushing wave of
popularity that surprised many viewers.  His
rebellious tone and anti-establishment act was
reminiscent of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, the NWO,
and other pioneering outsiders who bucked
management.  Punk took pride in lambasting John
Laurinaitis, the former Johnny Ace, and gave
smart marks plenty of fodder during his passionate
promos.

In matches against John Cena, Punk made
mainstream followers of the business notice his
nearly flawless ringwork, despite the fact that he'd
already established himself as one of the top
wrestlers in the entire business years earlier.  But
Punk was at the top of the WWE now, and
everything he did was garnering attention.

Entering the ring to Living Colour's "Cult of
Personality," Punk went through his standard
rituals as the crowd erupted around him.  It was a far
cry from life on the independent scene, where he made
his bones and first generated a buzz.  The Chicago-area native displayed the utmost poise
despite his thrust to the tops of the organization, and went toe-to-toe with Triple H, Kevin
Nash, and, in 2012, with veteran Chris Jericho.  In promos, he more than held his own against
that trio, and expressed his comedic timing as well as elements that heightened the feuds to
the necessary level to get over.

He ended 2011 as the WWE Heavyweight champion and overcame the challenge of Dolph
Ziggler, a future titleholder in his own right, and retained through the Elimination Chamber in
February 2012.  His feud with Chris Jericho built slowly, and took a personal turn when
Jericho brought up Punk's father and sister, claiming that they had battles with substance
abuse.  This new factor heated the feud going into WrestleMania, and it was expected that
the two would give a clinic of professional wrestling in Miami.  On April 1, 2012 at
WrestleMania XXVIII, Punk retained his WWE championship in a grueling match against
Jericho, then lost to Mark Henry by countout the next night on Raw.  After the match, which
saw Punk punished by the powerful Henry, the champion was attacked by Jericho.  Jericho
initially spilled a bottle of alcohol all over his downed rival, then smashed a second bottle over
Punk's head.  Their feud was not yet over.
                                                                                  

Championships and accomplishments from Wikipedia

* Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South
    o IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship (5 times)
    o IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
* International Wrestling Cartel
    o IWC Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
* Mid-American Wrestling
    o MAW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
* NWA Cyberspace
    o NWA Cyberspace Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Julio Dinero
* NWA Revolution
    o NWA Revolution Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
* Ohio Valley Wrestling
    o OVW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
    o OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Seth Skyfire
    o OVW Television Championship (1 time)
* Pro Wrestling Illustrated
    o Feud of the Year (2011) vs. John Cena
    o Match of the Year (2011) vs. John Cena at Money in the Bank
    o Most Popular Wrestler of the Year (2011)
    o Wrestler of the Year (2011)
    o PWI ranked him #3 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2010
* Revolver
    o Golden Gods Award for "Most Metal Athlete" (2012)
* Ring of Honor
    o ROH Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Colt Cabana
    o ROH World Championship (1 time)
* St. Paul Championship Wrestling
    o SDW Northern States Television Championship (2 times)
    o SPCW Northern States Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
* World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE
    o ECW Championship (1 time)
    o World Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
    o WWE Championship (2 times, current)
    o World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Kofi Kingston
    o WWE Intercontinental Championship (1 time)
    o Money in the Bank (2008, 2009)[72]
    o Nineteenth Triple Crown Champion
    o Slammy Award for "OMG" Moment of the Year (2008) Cashing in Money in the Bank
          to win the World Heavyweight Championship
    o Slammy Award for Shocker of the Year (2009) Forcing Jeff Hardy out of the WWE
          after Steel Cage match victory
    o Slammy Award for Despicable Me (2010) Harassing Rey Mysterio and his family
    o Slammy Award for Superstar of the Year (2011)
    o Slammy Award for "Pipe Bomb" of the Year (2011)
    o Slammy Award for T-Shirt of the Year (2011) "Best in the World"
* Wrestling Observer Newsletter
    o Best Gimmick (2009, 2011)
    o Best on Interviews (2011)
    o Feud of the Year (2009) vs. Jeff Hardy
    o Feud of the Year (2011) vs. John Cena
    o Match of the Year (2011) vs. John Cena at WWE Money in the Bank



Research by Tim Hornbaker
CM Punk Wrestling History
Custom Search
photo:wrealano@aol.com
Photo by Dr. Mike Lano
PPV Ring Record        TV Ring Record        Career Record
Legends of Pro Wrestling