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, famously known as CM Punk, is a highly regarded American professional wrestler and actor currently signed with WWE on the Raw brand. Known for his outspoken "straight edge" persona mirroring his real life, CM Punk is recognized as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. His impressive 434-day reign as WWE Champion stands as the 10th-longest world title reign in the company's history.
October 25, 1997: Debut Match in Lunatic Wrestling Federation
On October 25, 1997, one day before his 19th birthday, CM Punk had his debut match in the Lunatic Wrestling Federation, defeating Brawn the Lumberjack.
1997: Wrestling Career Begins
In 1997, CM Punk began his wrestling career on the independent circuit.
1997: Reference to the Montreal Screwjob
In 1997, an event reminiscent of the Montreal Screwjob happened in the feud between CM Punk and Undertaker. CM Punk defeated The Undertaker in a submission match to retain the World Heavyweight Championship. The Undertaker originally won the match with his "Hell's Gate" submission hold, but SmackDown general manager Theodore Long restarted the match.
1999: Wrestling at Steel Domain Wrestling
In 1999, CM Punk began wrestling at Steel Domain Wrestling in St. Paul, Minnesota, as part of his training at the Steel Dominion wrestling school.
September 18, 2002: NWA: TNA Debut
On September 18, 2002, CM Punk made his debut for NWA: Total Nonstop Action alongside his trainer Ace Steel, defeating Derek Wylde and Jimmy Rave and The Hot Shots (Cassidy O'Reilly and Chase Stevens) in a three-way match to qualify for the tag team Gauntlet for the Gold.
November 9, 2002: ROH In-Ring Debut
On November 9, 2002, CM Punk made his in-ring debut on 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.
November 2003: Feud with Raven Concludes
In November 2003, CM Punk's feud with Raven was settled at The Conclusion, where Punk defeated Raven in a steel cage match.
2003: Returns to TNA and Joins The Gathering
In mid-2003, CM Punk returned to TNA while simultaneously wrestling for Ring of Honor. He was paired with Julio Dinero as members of Raven's stable The Gathering.
March 2004: Quits TNA
In March 2004, CM Punk officially quit TNA during the Rob Feinstein controversy due to a dispute over his ability to compete in ROH.
May 2004: IWA Mid-South Boycott Ends
In May 2004, CM Punk ended his boycott of IWA Mid-South and returned to wrestling for the promotion.
2004: Feud with Samoa Joe
In mid-2004, CM Punk faced off against ROH World Champion Samoa Joe for the championship in a three-match series.
July 2005: Leaves IWA Mid-South
In July 2005, CM Punk left IWA Mid-South, where he had been performing as a wrestler and commentator.
August 13, 2005: Final Scheduled Match in ROH
On August 13, 2005, CM Punk's final scheduled match in ROH took place at Punk: The Final Chapter 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. Later that month in September 2005, he suffered a broken nose and ruptured eardrum during a match on OVW TV with Danny Inferno.
November 2005: CM Punk Wins OVW Television Championship
In November 2005, CM Punk defeated Ken Doane to win the OVW Television Championship.
January 2006: Three Way Dance for OVW Television Championship
In January 2006, CM Punk participated in a three way dance with Brent Albright and Ken Doane for the OVW Television Championship. Aaron "The Idol" Stevens replaced Doane due to injury and ultimately won the match.
February 11, 2006: Special Appearance at ROH Unscripted II
On February 11, 2006, CM Punk made a special appearance at the ROH show Unscripted II, teaming with Bryan Danielson to defeat Adam Pearce and Jimmy Rave.
February 2006: OVW Heavyweight Championship Tournament
In February 2006, CM Punk entered a tournament to crown a new OVW Heavyweight Champion, 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 OVW Titles
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 in August 2006, Punk also lost the OVW Heavyweight Championship to Chet the Jett.
January 9, 2007: CM Punk Suffers First ECW Loss
On January 9, 2007, CM Punk suffered his first ECW singles loss against Hardcore Holly, ending his six-month undefeated streak.
January 22, 2008: CM Punk Loses ECW Championship
On January 22, 2008, CM Punk's 143-day reign as ECW Champion ended when he lost to Chavo Guerrero in a no disqualification match on ECW following interference from Edge.
February 7, 2008: WWE and OVW End Developmental Partnership
On February 7, 2008, WWE and OVW ended their developmental partnership, after which CM Punk ceased appearing regularly with OVW, though he had already been making sporadic appearances.
2008: CM Punk Wins Money in the Bank and World Heavyweight Championship
In 2008, CM Punk won the Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania XXIV. Later, he was drafted to Raw and cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to win the World Heavyweight Championship from Edge. Later in 2008, Punk was attacked by The Legacy and Randy Orton, who punted Punk in the head before the Championship scramble match, ending his reign at 69 days.
2008: Money in the Bank Winner
2008: Revenge for Premature End of Championship Reign
In 2008, Randy Orton prematurely ended CM Punk's first World Heavyweight Championship reign.
January 5, 2009: CM Punk's Intercontinental Title Match Ends in Disqualification
On January 5, 2009, CM Punk received his Intercontinental Championship title match against William Regal, which ended in a disqualification when Regal grabbed the referee's jersey.
2009: CM Punk Wins Money in the Bank, Drafted to SmackDown and Wins World Heavyweight Championship
In 2009, CM Punk won the Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania 25, becoming the first person to win it twice. He was then drafted to SmackDown and later cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to defeat Jeff Hardy for the World Heavyweight Championship at Extreme Rules. In 2009, Punk would retain and lose the title multiple times.
2009: CM Punk's Sinister Turn
In late 2009, CM Punk's character began taking on a more sinister direction. He converted Luke Gallows to the straight-edge lifestyle and started The Straight Edge Society.
January 2010: CM Punk Converts Audience Members
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 heads as a sign of renewal and devotion.
June 20, 2010: CM Punk Challenges for World Heavyweight Championship at Fatal 4-Way
On June 20, 2010, at WWE Fatal 4-Way, CM Punk challenged for the World Heavyweight Championship against Rey Mysterio, Big Show and the champion Jack Swagger, but he was unsuccessful when he was attacked by Kane.
December 2010: CM Punk Assumes Control of The Nexus
At the end of December 2010, CM Punk left the commentary team after assaulting John Cena and revealed that he had joined and assumed control of The Nexus.
2010: CM Punk Feuds with Rey Mysterio
In 2010, CM Punk feuded with Rey Mysterio, being eliminated by him during the Elimination Chamber match. They faced each other in a match at WrestleMania XXVI where Mysterio won. Punk and Mysterio had a rematch at Extreme Rules where Punk won. On May 23 at Over The Limit, Punk lost to Mysterio and was subsequently shaved bald.
January 30, 2011: Punk and The New Nexus Cost Orton His Match
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: "Pipe Bomb" Soliloquy
In June 2011, CM Punk delivered his famous "Pipe Bomb" soliloquy, considered one of the most important promos in professional wrestling history.
January 29, 2012: Punk defends WWE Championship against Dolph Ziggler
On January 29, 2012, at the Royal Rumble, CM Punk successfully defended his WWE Championship against Dolph Ziggler despite John Laurinaitis acting as the outside enforcer.
January 7, 2013: Punk retains WWE Championship against Ryback
On January 7, 2013, CM Punk returned to in-ring action on Raw, retaining the WWE Championship against Ryback in a TLC match following interference from The Shield.
January 27, 2013: The Rock announces he will wrestle for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble
On January 27, 2013, at Raw 1000, The Rock, who was a special guest, announced that he would wrestle for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble. Later in the night, CM Punk attacked The Rock, turning heel in the process.
January 26, 2014: Kane eliminates Punk from the Royal Rumble
On January 26, 2014, at the Royal Rumble, Kane eliminated CM Punk from the outside and performed a chokeslam on him through the announce table.
December 6, 2014: Signing with UFC
On December 6, 2014, at UFC 181, CM Punk announced that he had signed a multi-fight contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and would compete under his ring name.
2014: Leaves WWE
In 2014, CM Punk acrimoniously left WWE and retired from wrestling.
February 2015: Release of Thor Annual No. 1
In February 2015, Marvel Comics' Thor Annual No. 1, partly written by Brooks, was released.
May 2015: Publication of "The Most Cursed"
In May 2015, "The Most Cursed", co-written by Brooks, appeared in Vertigo Comics' Strange Sports Stories No. 3.
September 10, 2016: UFC and MMA Debut at UFC 203
On September 10, 2016, CM Punk made his UFC and MMA debut against Mickey Gall at UFC 203 in Cleveland, Ohio, losing via rear naked choke submission early in the first round. He was paid a disclosed $500,000.
2016: UFC Debut
In 2016, CM Punk debuted in the welterweight division of UFC at UFC 203, losing to Mickey Gall via submission.
November 2017: Publication of Master of Kung Fu One-Shot
In November 2017, CM Punk wrote a one-shot of Marvel's Master of Kung Fu, which was published by Marvel Comics.
June 9, 2018: Second Professional Bout at UFC 225
On June 9, 2018, CM Punk had his second professional bout at UFC 225 against Mike Jackson in Chicago. Punk lost the fight via unanimous decision.
November 8, 2018: Signing 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 lost his second UFC fight to Mike Jackson via unanimous decision at UFC 225; later overturned to a no contest.
November 12, 2019: Punk joins WWE Backstage
On November 12, 2019, CM Punk made a surprise appearance on the Fox Sports 1 series WWE Backstage, joining the program as a special contributor and analyst.
2019: Starring in "Girl on the Third Floor"
In 2019, CM Punk (as Brooks) starred in the horror film Girl on the Third Floor, receiving positive reviews for his performance.
2019: Horror Films and WWE Backstage
In 2019, CM Punk starred in the horror films Rabid and Girl on the Third Floor and worked as a pundit on WWE Backstage.
December 2020: Pulled from UFC Drug Testing Pool
In December 2020, CM Punk, despite his inactivity, pulled out of the drug testing pool for the UFC.
2020: WWE Backstage
In 2020, CM Punk continued to work as a pundit on WWE Backstage.
August 2021: Retirement from MMA
In August 2021, CM Punk notified the UFC he would be retiring from MMA after he returned to professional wrestling earlier that month, ending his MMA run with a record of 0-1 (1 NC).
August 20, 2021: Punk debuts for All Elite Wrestling
On August 20, 2021, CM Punk made his debut for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) at The First Dance event on Rampage, challenging Darby Allin to a match at the All Out pay-per-view event.
2021: Portrayal of Ricky Rabies in Heels
In 2021, Brooks portrayed wrestler Ricky Rabies in the professional wrestling drama series Heels.
2021: Joins AEW
In 2021, CM Punk returned to wrestling and joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
February 2, 2022: Punk experiences his first loss in AEW
On February 2, 2022, CM Punk experienced his first loss in AEW to MJF in a singles match on Dynamite.
September 2022: AEW World Championship win
In September 2022, CM Punk won the AEW World Championship, a title he would later reclaim and customize after his return.
September 2023: Fired from AEW
In September 2023, CM Punk was fired from AEW after backstage controversies.
November 2023: CM Punk Signs with WWE
In November 2023, CM Punk signed with WWE and began performing on the Raw brand.
2023: Heels
In 2023, CM Punk continued to star in the wrestling drama series Heels.
January 27, 2024: First Televised WWE Match Since 2014 at Royal Rumble
On January 27, 2024, at the Royal Rumble, CM Punk wrestled his first televised WWE match since 2014, entering the Royal Rumble match at number 27 and ultimately being eliminated by Cody Rhodes, sustaining a torn triceps during the match.
January 5, 2026: Title Retention Against Bron Breakker
On January 5, 2026, at the Raw on Netflix Anniversary Show, CM Punk defeated Bron Breakker to retain his title.
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