Rise to Success: Career Highlights of CM Punk
How CM Punk built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Phillip Jack Brooks (CM Punk) is a professional wrestler and actor currently signed to WWE's Raw brand. Widely considered one of wrestling's greatest, he is known for his "straight edge" persona and confrontational style. He is the current World Heavyweight Champion, marking his record-tying second reign. Notably, his 434-day reign as WWE Champion is the 10th-longest in the company's history.
October 25, 1997: Debut Match
On October 25, 1997, CM Punk had his debut match, defeating Brawn the Lumberjack the day before his 19th birthday.
1997: Wrestling Career Begins
In 1997, CM Punk began his wrestling career on the independent circuit.
1999: Steel Domain Wrestling
In 1999, CM Punk began wrestling at Steel Domain Wrestling in St. Paul, Minnesota, as part of his training.
September 18, 2002: NWA: TNA Debut
On September 18, 2002, CM Punk made his debut for NWA: Total Nonstop Action with Ace Steel, winning a three-way tag team match.
November 9, 2002: ROH In-Ring Debut
On November 9, 2002, CM Punk made his in-ring debut for ROH at All Star Extravaganza in a gauntlet match.
2002: IWC Heavyweight Champion
In 2002, CM Punk became the International Wrestling Cartel (IWC) Heavyweight Champion in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.
2002: Signs with ROH
In 2002, CM Punk signed with Ring of Honor (ROH), marking a significant step in his wrestling career.
November 2003: Feud Settled with Raven
In November 2003, CM Punk defeated Raven in a steel cage match at The Conclusion, settling their rivalry in ROH.
2003: Joins The Gathering
In mid-2003, CM Punk returned to TNA and was paired with Julio Dinero as part of Raven's stable, The Gathering.
March 2004: Quits TNA
In March 2004, CM Punk officially quit TNA over a dispute about competing in ROH after TNA ordered its wrestlers to no longer wrestle in ROH.
July 2005: Leaves IWA Mid-South
In July 2005, CM Punk concluded his time with IWA Mid-South as a wrestler and commentator.
August 13, 2005: Final ROH Match
On August 13, 2005, CM Punk had his final scheduled match in ROH against Colt Cabana, which he lost.
September 2005: CM Punk Debuts in OVW
In September 2005, CM Punk debuted in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), WWE's developmental territory, in a dark match, after being signed by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and mentored by Paul Heyman.
November 2005: CM Punk Wins OVW Television Championship
In November 2005, CM Punk defeated Ken Doane to win the OVW Television Championship.
2005: Signs with WWE
In 2005, CM Punk signed with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), a major move in his professional wrestling career.
January 2006: OVW Television Championship Match
In January 2006, CM Punk competed in a three way dance for the OVW Television Championship against Brent Albright and Ken Doane. Aaron "The Idol" Stevens replaced an injured Doane and won the match to become the new OVW Television Champion.
February 11, 2006: Special Appearance at Unscripted II
On February 11, 2006, CM Punk made a special appearance at ROH's Unscripted II, teaming with Bryan Danielson to defeat Adam Pearce and Jimmy Rave.
February 2006: OVW Heavyweight Championship Tournament
In February 2006, CM Punk participated in a tournament to crown a new OVW Heavyweight Champion, ultimately losing to Brent Albright in the finals.
May 2006: CM Punk Wins OVW Heavyweight Championship
In May 2006, CM Punk defeated Brent Albright in a strap match to win the OVW Heavyweight Championship.
June 24, 2006: CM Punk Debuts in ECW
On June 24, 2006, CM Punk debuted in ECW, defeating Stevie Richards at a Philadelphia house show.
July 2006: CM Punk Wins OVW Southern Tag Team Championship
In July 2006, CM Punk and Seth Skyfire defeated Shad Gaspard and the Neighborhoodie to win the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship, making Punk a double champion.
August 2006: CM Punk Loses Championships
In August 2006, CM Punk and Seth Skyfire lost the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship to Deuce Shade and "Domino" Cliff Compton. Later that month, Punk also lost the OVW Heavyweight Championship to Chet the Jett.
January 9, 2007: First Singles Loss in ECW
On January 9, 2007, CM Punk suffered his first singles loss in ECW against Hardcore Holly, ending his six-month undefeated streak.
January 22, 2008: CM Punk Loses ECW Championship
On January 22, 2008, CM Punk lost the ECW Championship to Chavo Guerrero in a no disqualification match after interference from Edge, ending his 143-day reign.
February 7, 2008: WWE and OVW end developmental partnership
On February 7, 2008, WWE and OVW ended their developmental partnership, marking the end of CM Punk's regular appearances with OVW.
January 5, 2009: Intercontinental Championship Title Match
On January 5, 2009, CM Punk received his title match against William Regal on Raw, which ended in a disqualification when Regal grabbed the referee's jersey.
January 2010: Straight Edge Society Recruitment
Throughout January 2010, CM Punk began to convert planted members of the audience to a straight-edge lifestyle, making them take a pledge of allegiance to him and shaving their head as a sign of renewal and devotion, furthering the Straight Edge Society storyline.
June 20, 2010: World Heavyweight Championship Challenge at Fatal 4-Way
On June 20, 2010, at WWE Fatal 4-Way, CM Punk challenged for the World Heavyweight Championship against Mysterio, Big Show and the champion Jack Swagger, but was unsuccessful due to an attack by Kane.
October 2010: Trade to Raw and Injury
In October 2010, CM Punk was traded back to the Raw brand after being swapped with Edge. He also participated in the interbrand tag team match at Bragging Rights and suffered a hip injury that prevented him from wrestling for several months.
December 2010: Joins The Nexus
At the end of December 2010, CM Punk left the commentary team after assaulting John Cena on the December 20 episode of Raw and the December 21 episode of SmackDown with a chair. Punk later revealed that he had joined and assumed control of The Nexus.
January 30, 2011: Involvement at the Royal Rumble
On January 30, 2011, CM Punk and The New Nexus cost Randy Orton his match with The Miz for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble as revenge for Orton prematurely ending Punk's first World Heavyweight Championship reign in 2008.
June 2011: "Pipebomb" promo
In June 2011, CM Punk delivered his "Pipebomb" soliloquy, which is considered one of the most important promos in professional wrestling history.
June 27, 2011: "Pipe Bomb" Promo
On June 27, 2011, CM Punk delivered a highly acclaimed on-air speech, known as the "Pipe Bomb", criticizing WWE's operations and owner Vince McMahon, and referencing other wrestling promotions.
2011: Slammy Award and PWI Wrestler of the Year
In 2011, CM Punk was named Superstar of the Year at the Slammy Awards and voted PWI Wrestler of the Year, recognizing his success and popularity.
January 29, 2012: WWE Championship Defense against Dolph Ziggler
On January 29, 2012, at the Royal Rumble, CM Punk defended his WWE Championship against Dolph Ziggler. John Laurinaitis served as the outside enforcer during the match. Punk successfully retained his title despite Laurinaitis's presence.
2012: PWI Wrestler of the Year
In 2012, CM Punk was voted PWI Wrestler of the Year for the second consecutive year, solidifying his position as a top performer.
January 7, 2013: WWE Championship Defense against Ryback
On January 7, 2013, CM Punk returned to in-ring action on Raw, defending the WWE Championship against Ryback in a TLC match. Punk retained the title following interference from The Shield.
January 27, 2013: The Rock announces he will wrestle for the WWE Championship
On January 27, 2013, at Raw 1000, The Rock, who had interrupted CM Punk earlier in the night, announced that he would wrestle for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble. This set the stage for a future title match between Punk and The Rock.
2013: Wrote foreword for Natalie Slater's cookbook
In 2013, Brooks wrote a foreword for his friend and ex-girlfriend Natalie Slater's cookbook titled Bake and Destroy: Good Food for Bad Vegans.
January 26, 2014: Royal Rumble Elimination
On January 26, 2014, at the Royal Rumble, Kane eliminated CM Punk from the match after Punk had previously eliminated Kane. Kane then performed a chokeslam on Punk through the announce table.
December 6, 2014: CM Punk Signs with UFC
On December 6, 2014, CM Punk announced that he had signed a multi-fight contract with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
2014: Leaves WWE
In 2014, CM Punk acrimoniously left WWE, marking a significant turning point in his career.
January 2015: CM Punk Begins Training at Roufusport
In January 2015, CM Punk began training under Duke Roufus at Roufusport MMA Academy.
February 2015: Marvel Comics' Thor Annual No. 1 Released
In February 2015, Marvel Comics' Thor Annual No. 1, partly written by Brooks, was released.
May 2015: Vertigo Comics' Strange Sports Stories No. 3 Release
In May 2015, Brooks cowrote "The Most Cursed", which appeared in Vertigo Comics' Strange Sports Stories No. 3.
September 10, 2016: CM Punk's UFC Debut
On September 10, 2016, CM Punk made his UFC and MMA debut against Mickey Gall at UFC 203, losing via rear naked choke submission. He was paid a disclosed $500,000.
2016: UFC Debut
In 2016, CM Punk made his professional mixed martial arts debut at UFC 203, losing via submission to Mickey Gall.
November 2017: Marvel's Master of Kung Fu one-shot published
In November 2017, Brooks wrote a one-shot of Marvel's Master of Kung Fu, which was published.
June 9, 2018: CM Punk Fights Mike Jackson at UFC 225
On June 9, 2018, CM Punk fought Mike Jackson at UFC 225 in Chicago, losing via unanimous decision. Dana White suggested he should retire from UFC.
November 8, 2018: CM Punk Signs with CFFC as Commentator
On November 8, 2018, CM Punk signed with Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC), a UFC affiliate, as a commentator.
2018: Second UFC Fight
In 2018, CM Punk had his second UFC fight against Mike Jackson at UFC 225, initially losing via unanimous decision, which was later overturned to a no contest.
November 12, 2019: WWE Backstage Appearance
On November 12, 2019, CM Punk made a surprise appearance on Fox Sports 1's WWE Backstage as a special contributor and analyst.
2019: Horror Films
In 2019, CM Punk starred in the horror films Rabid and Girl on the Third Floor, marking his venture into acting.
2019: CM Punk Discusses Possible UFC Return
In 2019, CM Punk stated he wasn't seriously considering a UFC return, though he believed Dana White would permit him a third fight.
June 2020: WWE Backstage Production Halt
In June 2020, production of WWE Backstage, on which CM Punk was a special contributor and analyst, was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
December 2020: CM Punk Pulls Out of UFC Drug Testing Pool
In December 2020, CM Punk pulled out of the drug testing pool for the UFC.
2020: WWE Backstage Pundit
From 2019 to 2020, CM Punk worked as a pundit on WWE Backstage, providing commentary and analysis.
August 2021: CM Punk Retires from MMA
In August 2021, CM Punk notified the UFC he would be retiring from MMA after returning to professional wrestling earlier that month.
August 20, 2021: AEW Debut
On August 20, 2021, CM Punk made his debut for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) at The First Dance event on Rampage, marking his return to professional wrestling after a seven-year retirement.
2021: Joins AEW and Returns to Wrestling
In 2021, CM Punk returned to professional wrestling by joining All Elite Wrestling (AEW), ending his retirement.
2021: WWE Backstage Cancellation
In 2021, Fox cancelled WWE Backstage as a series entirely, after having suspended it earlier. CM Punk was a special contributor and analyst for the show.
February 2, 2022: First Loss in AEW
On February 2, 2022, CM Punk experienced his first loss in AEW to MJF in a singles match on Dynamite after months of feuding between the two.
September 2022: Altercation at All Out
In September 2022, CM Punk was involved in an altercation at All Out, after which he claims no one from AEW spoke to him for six months and he had to pay for his own surgery and recovery.
June 17, 2023: CM Punk Returns to AEW
On June 17, 2023, CM Punk made his return to AEW on the premiere episode of Collision, teaming with FTR to defeat Samoa Joe, Jay White, and Juice Robinson.
September 2023: Fired from AEW
In September 2023, CM Punk was fired from All Elite Wrestling (AEW) after backstage controversies.
2023: Heels TV series
From 2021 to 2023, CM Punk starred in the wrestling drama series Heels, showcasing his acting skills.
January 27, 2024: CM Punk Wrestles at Royal Rumble 2024
On January 27, 2024, CM Punk wrestled his first televised WWE match since 2014 at the Royal Rumble, where he was the runner-up and tore his right triceps.
April 10, 2024: AEW Shows Backstage Altercation Footage
On April 10, 2024, AEW aired footage of the backstage altercation between CM Punk and Jack Perry on Dynamite to further the feud between The Young Bucks and FTR.
April 2024: CM Punk's Interview on The MMA Hour
In April 2024, CM Punk gave an interview on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, where he contradicted Tony Khan's claim that he was fired for just cause, stated he wanted to leave AEW, and criticized the company.
January 6, 2025: CM Punk Wrestles First Raw Match in Eleven Years
On January 6, 2025, CM Punk wrestled his first match on Raw in almost eleven years, defeating Seth Rollins on the debut episode of Raw on Netflix.
November 2025: World Heavyweight Champion
In November 2025, CM Punk is signed to WWE, performing on the Raw brand, and holds the World Heavyweight Championship for a record-tying second reign.
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