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CM Punk, born Phillip Jack Brooks, is one of the most polarising figures in modern professional wrestling. He has made significant impacts in WWE, ventured into the UFC, and expanded his repertoire into acting. Here we’ll go in everything you need to know about his illustrious career so far.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Phillip Jack Brooks |
| Ring Name | CM Punk |
| Nicknames | The Best in the World, The Second City Saint, The Straight Edge Savior, The Voice of the Voiceless |
| Date of Birth | October 26, 1978 |
| Hometown | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Height | 6’0″ (183 cm) |
| Weight | 218 lbs (99 kg) |
| Nationality | American |
| Billed From | Chicago, Illinois |
| Trainer(s) | Ace Steel, Danny Dominion, Kevin Quinn |
| Debut | March 13, 1999 |
CM Punk Age
Born on 26 October 1978 in Chicago, Illinois, CM Punk is 46 years old as of May 2025. He began his wrestling career in the late 1990s and gained prominence in WWE from 2005 to 2014. After a hiatus, he returned to professional wrestling in 2021 and rejoined WWE in 2023.
CM Punk UFC
CM Punk transitioned to mixed martial arts in 2016, signing with the UFC. He competed in two bouts:
- UFC 203 (2016): Faced Mickey Gall and lost via submission in the first round.
- UFC 225 (2018): Fought Mike Jackson; the fight was initially a unanimous decision loss but was later overturned to a no contest due to Jackson’s positive test for marijuana.
His official UFC record stands at 0-1-0 (1 NC).
CM Punk Wife
CM Punk is married to April Jeanette Mendez, known professionally as AJ Lee, a former WWE Divas Champion. The couple met during their time in WWE and married in 2014. AJ Lee retired from professional wrestling in 2015 and has since pursued writing and production, including founding Scrappy Heart Productions.
CM Punk Movies
Beyond wrestling, CM Punk has ventured into acting, appearing in several films and television shows. Notable works include:
- Girl on the Third Floor (2019): A horror film where he played the lead role.
- Rabid (2019): A remake of David Cronenberg’s classic horror film.
- Jakob’s Wife (2021): A horror film co-starring Barbara Crampton.
- The Flintstones & WWE: Stone Age SmackDown! (2015): An animated crossover film featuring WWE Superstars.
Early Life & Background
Phillip Jack Brooks began his wrestling journey in the late 1990s with the Lunatic Wrestling Federation (LWF), a backyard promotion he started with friends. He later trained at the Steel Domain Wrestling school under Ace Steel and Danny Dominion. Punk’s straight edge lifestyle, abstaining from alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, became a defining aspect of his wrestling persona.
Wrestling Career
Debut Information
| Type | Date |
|---|---|
| Pro Wrestling Debut | March 13, 1999 |
| WWE Debut | June 24, 2006 (ECW) |
| AEW Debut | August 20, 2021 |
Championships & Achievements
| Championship/Title | Number of Reigns |
|---|---|
| WWE Championship | 2 |
| World Heavyweight Championship (WWE) | 3 |
| ECW Championship | 1 |
| Intercontinental Championship (WWE) | 1 |
| World Tag Team Championship (WWE) | 1 (with Kofi Kingston) |
| AEW World Championship | 2 |
| ROH World Championship | 1 |
| ROH Tag Team Championship | 1 (with Colt Cabana) |
| Money in the Bank Winner | 2 (2008, 2009) |
| WWE Triple Crown Champion | Yes |
| PWI Wrestler of the Year | 2011, 2012 |
| PWI 500 Ranking | #1 (2012) |
Promotions Worked With
| Promotion | Years Active |
|---|---|
| WWE | 2005–2014, 2023–present |
| All Elite Wrestling (AEW) | 2021–2023 |
| Ring of Honor (ROH) | 2002–2005 |
| Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) | 2003–2004 |
| Independent Circuit | 1999–2005 |
Wrestling Style & Moves
| Category | Moves |
|---|---|
| Wrestling Style | Technical, striking, submission-based with a straight edge persona |
| Signature Moves | Anaconda Vise, Pepsi Twist, Shining Wizard, Running Knee/Bulldog Combo |
| Finishing Moves | Go to Sleep (GTS), Anaconda Vice |
Entrance Theme
| Theme Name | Artist |
|---|---|
| “Cult of Personality” | Living Colour |
Notable Rivalries
| Opponent | Rivalry Highlights |
|---|---|
| John Cena | Feud culminating at Money in the Bank 2011, featuring Punk’s “Pipebomb” promo |
| Jeff Hardy | Rivalry over the World Heavyweight Championship in 2009 |
| Chris Jericho | Personal feud leading to WrestleMania 28 match in 2012 |
| Brock Lesnar | Feud in 2013 after betrayal by Paul Heyman |
| The Undertaker | WrestleMania 29 match in 2013 |
| Samoa Joe | Series of classic matches in ROH, including a 60-minute draw |
| MJF | Intense rivalry in AEW, highlighted by promo battles and a dog collar match |
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