'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#1 Former WWE Champion CM Punk
Trending
CM Punk was known by this name before he signed for WWE and was even able to take the name with him to UFC.
Both AJ Styles and Samoa Joe have also followed in Punk's footsteps in being able to retain their independent wrestling names whilst working for WWE in recent years. Punk was a hugely successful star in WWE for nine years but departed the company back in 2014 and took his name with him.
WWE doesn't want these wrestlers back - Find out now!
WWE went on to transfer all of the merchandise rights for their former star's name over to him after his departure and he has continued to use the name outside of WWE. At the time, the former world champion was a pioneer for stars who came from the independent scene and were able to retain the names in which they had risen to fame.
Punk's real name is Phillip Brooks, but publicly he has always been known as CM Punk and has even retained the name as part of his acting and writing careers.
Big name returning at Evolution? More details HERE
