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Former WWE Superstar CM Punk is one of the most controversial figures that the pro wrestling industry has ever seen. From changing the traditional champion’s mold to breaking the fourth wall in the most iconic fashion, he redefined stardom in modern-day wrestling. The CM Punk chants hijacked countless WWE live events long after he departed from the company in 2014.
It has been seven years, and the world has moved on. As cruel as it may seem, even the most incredible scripts start to fade with time, and this story is no different. The chants grew faint, the memories got blurry, and the name – CM Punk – started getting thrown into headiness in a bid to make them spicy.
Things would have stayed the same until last night when the internet erupted over the news of Punk potentially signing with AEW. Is he finally going to join WWE’s biggest rival? While wrestling fans continue to dig every corner of the internet for any possible update, we will look back at some of the backstage stories that subtly crafted the era of a distinctive superstar that changed the course of the pro wrestling business.
#10 A misdiagnosis in WWE nearly killed CM Punk
Back in 2014, CM Punk worked through an untreated MRSA staph infection. However, WWE’s medical staff never diagnosed the potentially fatal bacterial infection despite Punk’s repeated requests. He had to continue wrestling with the infection for several months that led to unfortunate events.
One time, CM Punk had to take an antibiotic called Azithromycin before his match against Dean Ambrose on SmackDown, and it led to him defecating in his trunks while he was in the ring.
Punk kept working until his wife and former WWE Superstar AJ Lee decided to interfere. She forced him to see a private doctor who confirmed that CM Punk had a staph infection and stated, "You should be dead. You could have died". After leaving WWE, he sued the medical staff for negligence.
This wasn’t the only time when CM Punk’s life was at risk. During the Royal Rumble match in 2014, Kofi Kingston clotheslined him that unfortunately led to the latter suffering a concussion. He recalled the incident during his testimony and broke down in tears. Punk never blamed Kingston and said that he has no hard feelings for the former WWE Champion.
However, he also revealed that he had asked a cameraman to fetch Dr. Chris Amman, who arrived at the scene and shockingly asked, "What do you want me to do?" The incident left CM Punk feeling entirely helpless, but he put all his effort into composing himself in the middle of the match. He walked out of WWE the next day.
#9 CM Punk offended The Undertaker backstage
The Undertaker is one of the most highly-respected personalities in all of pro wrestling. He was regarded as the locker room leader in WWE, headed the wrestler’s court, and ensured that everything remains in order. The Undertaker confronted CM Punk for his casual attire despite being the WWE Champion in the spirit of his role as the backstage locker room leader.
Punk retorted by citing John Cena as an example and argued that he does the same thing. This did not sit well with The Phenom, who was concerned about the company’s image. It is believed that this incident rubbed both The Undertaker and the WWE higher-ups in the wrong way.
CM Punk would face The Phenom at WrestleMania 29 in a classic match. However, he later admitted that he never wanted to be a part of this feud.
#8 How CM Punk got over with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and his real-life relationship with Triple H
Long before CM Punk’s relationship with Vince McMahon turned bitter, they were on perfect terms. It is a well-known fact that he drew a lot of heat backstage in WWE. Punk vehemently promoted his straight-edge lifestyle and openly criticized superstars who disagreed – something that he does to this day. Bruce Prichard once revealed that all the heat towards Punk set him apart from the rest of the roster.
He further stated that Vince McMahon too noticed CM Punk’s straight-edge lifestyle and liked a video in which Prichard had interviewed the budding star. While CM Punk had a good relationship with McMahon at one point, it was never the case when it came to him and Triple H. Both of them had a mutual dislike for each other for the entirely of Punk’s time in WWE.
Backstage reports from over the years claim that Triple H never thought CM Punk had that “it” factor. The latter disagreed with the management’s booking decisions while The Game insisted that they were right. Punk chose to walk away from WWE instead of facing Triple H at WrestleMania XXX.
#7 WWE fired CM Punk on his wedding day
CM Punk’s relationship with WWE went from bad to baffling towards its end, but this incident was the final nail in the coffin. After he decided to walk out, Vince McMahon handed him a two-month suspension via a text. Later, Triple H reached out to Punk, and the two agreed to have a discussion after the latter returned from his honeymoon. However, that never happened.
Instead, CM Punk and AJ Lee received a FedEx in the mail that carried his termination papers. He was informed that his contract has ended, and he has to forfeit all royalty rights. Punk later described the incident as “Very calculated, very deliberate.” Later, he got a lawyer and settled with WWE on mutual terms.
#6 CM Punk and Paul Heyman shared good times in WWE
While CM Punk did not have the best relationship with Vince McMahon and Triple H, he enjoyed a great time with Paul Heyman. Punk often hailed Heyman as his mentor, and the two worked closely together for a long time. Even Paul Heyman agreed that he “had a blast working with CM Punk.” Heyman once revealed CM Punk’s backstage reaction to WWE putting both of them together:
"I look over at him at he says ‘Can you believe they’re f***ing putting us together?’ And I’m like ‘We’re both gonna be f***ing fired in the next four weeks, don’t you get it?’ And he goes ‘But the s**t we’re going to stir in four weeks, they don’t f***ing have a clue!’ I loved working with him, I loved it. I had the time of my life," said Paul Heyman.
Heyman has always maintained that he respects CM Punk and they love bouncing ideas off one another. He also stated that both he and Punk preferred to step inside the ring without any idea about what they would say. They believe that it helps them speak the truth.
#5 CM Punk once knocked out Michael Cole’s tooth
While CM Punk impressed several fans with in-ring prowess, his hard-hitting blows once landed Michael Cole in trouble. This incident dates back to Cole’s infamous match against Jerry Lawler at WrestleMania XXVII. WWE was close to calling off this match when Cole was involved in an accident.
CM Punk accidentally knocked out Michael Cole’s tooth when they were both messing around backstage. Later, Punk offered to pay for Cole's dental fees. The latter was worried as he was merely a few hours away from performing at The Grandest Stage of Them All. However, the match was beyond awful, and no one paid attention to his missing tooth.
#4 CM Punk’s support for Darren Young after he came out
Former WWE Superstar Darren Young shared an intimate backstage story involving CM Punk. Young was the first person to come out as gay while still being signed with WWE. He revealed how Punk approached him backstage and showed his support. Punk also told him to let him know if he faces any trouble in the locker room. Here’s what Darren Young had to say:
“One thing about Punk is – if I could talk about him just for a second – when he had his match with Brock Lesnar in 2013, that was a couple days before I made my announcement to TMZ. After his brutal match with Brock Lesnar, he was all iced up and I hadn’t seen him since I made my announcement.”
“So he came up to me in catering and he told me to stand up in front of people. I stood up, he gave me a hug, and he said ‘I’m proud of you. If you ever have your problems with anyone in the locker room, you let me know and I got your back.’”
Young also revealed that Randy Orton and Big Show showed him a lot of support after his announcement. He thanked Punk, Show, and Orton for their kind words and gestures backstage.
#3 CM Punk constantly called out The Miz
CM Punk often targeted The Miz backstage in WWE and called him out more than once. Punk believed that The A-Lister did not deserve to be in the main event of WrestleMania and was vocal in his criticism. He also took a shot at The Miz before WWE’s show in Saudi Arabia in a now-deleted Tweet that said:
“Go suck a blood money covered d**k in Saudi Arabia you f***ing dork," tweeted CM Punk.
The Miz, who has a reputation for taking brutal shots at superstars on-screen, also directed verbal blows at The Straight Edge superstar. However, he refused to make any personal comments about CM Punk.
#2 How CM Punk returned for WWE talk show
Once upon a time, WWE and CM Punk dismissed any plans of working together after the latter’s exit from the company. Therefore, it was surprising to see him return for WWE Backstage on FOX. Many don’t know that former WWE presenter Renee Young reached out to him despite not speaking in over seven years.
Renee Young, aka Renee Paquette, was excited when she first found out that CM Punk could return as a part of the project, and she insisted on convincing him at all costs. Both of them developed a great friendship that reflected well in their work together.
#1 John Cena replaced CM Punk as Royal Rumble winner
Back in 2008, CM Punk was supposed to win the WWE Royal Rumble. However, the plans were changed when John Cena returned ahead of schedule. He had to take time off after suffering from a torn pectoral muscle. However, Cena ended up recovering earlier than expected and was ready to go into action. As a result, WWE decided to have him win the Royal Rumble instead of Punk.
"I was supposed to win!" CM Punk said. "I was supposed to win that Royal Rumble, then John Cena comes back after three months from a torn pec. Thanks a lot, John."
Cena made a huge return that night and eliminated Triple H to win Royal Rumble. If not for the last-minute change of plans, CM Punk would have headlined WrestleMania XXIV with a match against WWE Champion Randy Orton or World Heavyweight Champion Edge.
A WWE Hall of Famer called out AEW fans HERE
