Punk visits troops, prepares for WWE Florida swing
WWE Tribute to the Troops Dec. 19 on NBC
BY JIM VARSALLONE

Whether he is cheered or booed, CM Punk remains on the straight and narrow in his walk through life inside and outside the wrestling ring.

A WWE triple crown winner, Punk brought that straight-edge image with him on the recent Tribute to the Troops Tour, WWE’s annual holiday visit to the U.S. troops overseas in Afghanistan or Iraq.

Taped in Iraq, WWE Tribute to the Troops 2009 airs 9 p.m. EST Saturday, Dec. 19 on NBC. This marked Punk’s second straight trip to Iraq, touring with WWE.

"Being a part of the Tribute to the Troops really is cool," Punk said during a phone interview. "It is the most brutal travel of my entire life. I think a lot of people say that. Getting there and coming back are a gigantic pain in the %&&, but it really is a rewarding experience. Nobody is excited about going to Iraq, but when you talk about going for the troops and what a rewarding experience it is once you’ve been there, actually get there, it’s a really good time."

When WWE travels for the troops, the company brings top names like in 2009 with Punk, Chris Jericho, John Cena, Rey Mysterio, The Miz, Mark Henry, John Morrison, R-Truth, Chris Masters, Cryme Time, Finlay, the divas, Miami’s MVP and Carlito and even the boss Mr. McMahon.

It’s the most patriotic show of the year. WWE’s Tribute to the Troops features matches from Raw, SmackDown and WWE/ECW stars taped live in the Middle East. WWE’s mission to bring its unique form of entertainment to the U.S. servicemen in Iraq also bridges the American public with those who continue to fight in the name of freedom.

With goodwill in mind and heart, there are risks traveling to a high risk area. So why take the risk?

"Probably a question better asked of somebody with a wife and kids," Punk admitted. "I seem to think I’m indestructible for some reason. So I never really think of the danger of anything — whether it’s being in the ring or driving a car. I just seem to do what I feel is the right thing to do.

"Going over there, there’s a lot of kids you meet, guys 10 years younger than I am. They sometimes have a wife and kids or something like that, and they’re sacrificing. So the least I can do is go over there for three days."

Punk’s straight-edge mantra makes him different, unique. He abstained from alcoholic, drugs and cigarettes. He grew up in a household in Chicago where his father was an alcoholic. Would his lifestyle be different if his father was not an alcoholic?

"I severely doubt it," Punk said. "I firmly believe I was born this way [straight edge]. I don’t really think my dad having a problem with drinking was really a factor. It was just always who I was, before I knew anything.

"Once I found out about the whole label, the straight edge, the culture, it gave me an identity. That’s me. That’s cool. I’m normal. I’m not a weirdo.

"To me, it makes sense, especially with who I am and what I do. I’m a wrestler. It’s a hard business. To be the best I can be — to not be hung over the next day, to not take any kind of medication like pain pills or anything like that — I got to stay sharp. I got to stay on the edge where I need to be, and that helps me out.

"It’s not for me to say whether it’s more admirable or not. It’s what’s best for me, and that’s why I’m straight edge. I’m not straight edge for anybody else."

Each person lives life a certain way, He has friends who live different.

"I hang out with the boys all the time," Punk said. "I think I get a ton of praise and respect because I’ve never compromised myself for anything. I always fight for what I believe in. So I fit right in. Just because I don’t drink or do drugs or something like that doesn’t mean I can’t hang out with my buddies."

Since debuting in WWE in 2006, Punk has already won the world title three times, the Money in the Bank ladder match twice, the Intercontinental title, the world tag tag team titles and WWE’s ECW title.

"I’ve always just done my best and work really, really hard," Punk said. "Sometimes it pays off. Well, actually, it always pays off, but sometimes the pay off is immediate, and sometimes, even though you tried your best, you worked your %&& off at something, it doesn’t come your way. I get back on the horse and ride."

Punk deals with the physical rigors wrestling takes on his body.

"You have to listen to your body," Punk said. "I’m not the best at doing that. I’m in the gym or at least doing something everyday, and I stretch a lot. I don’t think people realize the importance of warming up and cooling down.

"On certain days, if I’m not feeling it, I just rest, and sometimes that’s the best thing to do."

Punk is currently aligned with Luke Gallows, formerly Festus, a 6-8, 300-pound talent.

"Luke Gallows means money to me," Punk said. "It’s the beginning of something. Who knows where it’s going to be in six months.

"It’s a different direction. I get to play a little bit more of a role of a teacher which is something I think I’m good at — if somebody actually wants to listen. It’s fun. I get to wear a lot of different hats now. It’s interesting."

Punk wore the good and bad hats on WWE TV.

"I think I was born bad," he chuckled. "The bad guy thing I think it translates on TV, too. I’m so much more comfortable.

"I think I was a damn good good guy, but certain aspects of my personality and just the way I am really seem to lend credence to my current [bad guy] character. I have so much more fun out there."

Punk’s list of real-life girlfriends is impressive including Maria, Traci Brooks, Daffney and Lita. So what’s his secret?

"I think I have a lot more failures than successes than people realize," Punk chuckled. "I’m horrible in relationships. I think I’m terrible with the ladies. So I appreciate the positive reinforcement.

"I have absolutely no secret. You’re not going to see a self help book coming out from me about how to pick up girls. I have two little sisters, and women fascinate me for some reason. I guess just be respectful. I’m always myself and super respectful to the ladies."

Punk enjoys punk music — listening.

"I think I do [have aspirations of performing in a punk band]," he said, "but I definitely don’t have any concrete plans. I was just actually joking around. I got a lot of friends who are in bands, and they’re always joking around about coming out with some ridiculous, punk rock, straight-edge, super group.

"I’m always flattered that they want to involve me, but I haven’t the slightest idea of what I would do, besides scream and play saxophone or the drums horribly."

These days, Punk is big fan of Against Me!, a punk rock band formed in 1997 in Gainesville, Fla.

"I also like Rancid, H2O, the Luchagors," he said. "I love them all."

So CM means Chicago Midway?

"No, no, no, no. I fly out of O’Hare," he said. "Midway, while not a completely atrocious airport, is definitely second best in Chicago."

It seems the answer changes when asked the meaning of CM, something he’s often asked: Chick Magnet, Cookie Monster, Crooked Moonsault, Chuck Mosley, C. Montgomery Burns from The Simpsons, Crazy Mariachi, Chicago Made, Championship Material to name a few.

"I think a lot of people have a different perspective of what CM means," he said. "I think it’s funny. It’s hilarious."

Cubs or White Sox?

He answered seriously: "Chicago Cubs, always."

Punk has many tattoos. His most meaningful one?

"That can vary, depending on my mood," he said. "I have my dog’s paw print on the inside of my left forearm with her name on it [Callee, a Dalmatian]. That’s always meant a super ton to me. That’s about 10-years-old now."

• WWE’s annual Tribute to the Troops Tour honors the brave men and women who put their lives on the line for the United States and the free world.

WWE superstars like Punk along with WWE divas, the owner and staff members visited 20-28 Forward Operating Bases, bringing holiday cheer while thanking the troops who are protecting the United States and democracy overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq.

This year’s tour marks the seventh year of the program.

The tour concluded with a live sports entertainment performance for up to 7,000 troops. The events are videotaped and later edited into a holiday television special.

The WWE Tribute to the Troops television special debuted on UPN in 2003. It has since aired on USA Network and NBC.

WWE Tribute to the Troops 2009 airs 9 p.m. EST Saturday, Dec. 19 on NBC.

"When any TV show we do goes into production, they’re always looking for moments," Punk said. "You hear the term WrestleMania moment. They’re always looking for sound bites or clips they can put together in a video package that makes what we do really stand out, and without words convey why you should come to a WWE show, why it’s exciting, why it’s pop culture.

"When we go to Iraq or Afghanistan, there are so many sound bites and so many three second video clips of pure raw emotion. It’s hard to leave stuff on the cutting room floor. One of my favorite moments every year is seeing the video package they put together.

"We have 12-15 talents going over there along with cameramen, sound guys, production crew. Vince [McMahon] goes over. We’re a family when we’re on the road going over there, and putting smiles on the troops faces is one of the greatest things that we do every year as a WWE family."

WWE has a long history of support for American troops. During in the Gulf War in the early 1990s, WWE sent superstars to visit troops. WWE also offers U.S. military personnel free tickets to WWE live events worldwide. Military personnel, who arrive the day of an event that is not sold out, receive a free ticket.

In 2004, the USO of Metropolitan Washington presented WWE with the first Legacy of Hope award. In 2006, WWE and Vince McMahon each received the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Award.

• Punk and WWE are gearing for a December run in Florida.

The SmackDown crew will stop for a house show (no TV) on Friday, Dec. 18 at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami.

They will go to the Expo and Fairgrounds for another house show on Saturday, Dec. 19 in West Palm Beach.

Because of the holidays, the SmackDown and WWE ECW TV tapings will be Sunday, Dec. 20 at the Amway Arena in Orlando.

The Raw group will have a house show on Sunday, Dec. 20 in Tallahassee.

Monday Night Raw TV will be live on Dec. 21 from Tampa. Matches will be taped for WWE Superstars.

SmackDown will host a house show on Dec. 21 in Fort Myers.

Punk is a vital part of the SmackDown roster.

"Florida is rich in wrestling history," Punk said. "Mike Graham and his father [Eddie] ran Championship Wrestling from Florida. It’s pretty much where Dusty [Rhodes] got a big stronghold, his foot in the door in wrestling.

"I like going down to Florida. It’s nice. It’s warm weather. I’m coming from Chicago where it’s 30-below."

Florida’s fans are one-of-a-kind.

"The fans in Florida are always vocal. They’re always excited to see us. It always seems to be a a little bit different of a crowd," Punk said. "Everywhere we go the crowd is always different. A Philadelphia crowd is different than a Chicago crowd. The Florida fans are not better or worse. They’re just different. We love going to perform in front of them."

Source: miamiherald.com