Punk rocks
Chicagoan CM Punk has been the talk of WWE—and now he talks to us
By Ted Gruber, For RedEye
6:12 p.m. CST, December 21, 2011
"It’s clobberin’ time."
With those famous words before every wrestling match, Chicagoan and current WWE heavyweight champ CM Punk makes his entrance. Punk’s not only at the top of his game, but he put a spark in professional wrestling this summer with his seemingly off-script rant about WWE owner Vince McMahon and his ascension to the championship—in Chicago, no less.
He talked with RedEye recently about a variety of topics, including his fondness for MMA, as he prepares to return to Allstate Arena on Monday for "Raw."
Going back to July, how was that feeling of winning the WWE Championship in your hometown?
I don’t think it could have gone any better. It’s an awesome feeling and it was a very hostile environment, and I deal well with those kinds of situations. What better place to win the WWE Championship than in Chicago where I grew up and started my wrestling career.
Before that match you had a contract that was expiring and many didn’t know what was going to happen or where your career would continue. Was that situation on your mind while wrestling in the that match?
That wasn’t something that weighed heavily on my mind during the match because I had all my friends and family watching ringside. That was the real big pressure, trying to impress the fans, and I opened my mouth weeks prior with doing promos. I had a lot to prove.
Gabe Sapolsky: "CM Punk and Daniel Bryan on Top of the World Means …"
Monday, 19 December 2011 | Gabe Sapolsky
At last night’s WWE Table Ladders and Chairs pay-per-view, CM Punk retained the WWE Title while Daniel Bryan won the World Title. I had the privilege and good fortune to book both Punk and Bryan as Ring Of Honor World Champions. When both stood atop WWE Universe last night the only thought that came to mind was "FUCK YOU!!!!"
I’m not one to say "I told ya so" but I said years ago that Punk and Bryan (known as Bryan Danielson on the independent wrestling scene) would accomplish what they did last night. I didn’t just say that because of their in ring abilities or natural connection to the audience. I believe in them because they have those special intangibles that separate the greats from the wannabes and the elite from the greats. It’s not just extra time in the gym or studying a craft. It’s an inherent drive, a determination, a leadership gene. Let me illustrate.
It had been planned since 2004 for CM Punk to become ROH World Champion in the summer of 2005. Then one spring day Punk walked into my office in Bristol, PA and said that WWE offered him a developmental deal and he was going to take it. I tried to play it cool, and I knew Punk would end up in WWE one day, but this floored me and caught me totally unexpected. Punk was by far our biggest merchandise seller, he was a main eventer and all plans were set on him to carry the company.
I had a moment of anxiety and then Punk proved why he has that intangible. He said he would stick around for the summer, give us some great matches that would sell DVDs and let us adjust for changing direction. In addition, he gave us some memorable matches in Full Impact Pro (which I was also booking at the time), including his final match against Colt Cabana. He didn’t have to do this and could have headed right to WWE developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling to become the newest Paul Heyman guy. The legendary Summer Of Punk went down in the history books as a result.
[...]
So my "FUCK YOU" isn’t for Punk or Bryan. I am beyond happy for both and excited for their futures. For years, I had to hear critics, journalists, naysayers and detractors tell me reason after reason why neither would ever make it under the bright lights of WWE. They picked both Punk and Bryan apart trying to highlight every weakness they perceived that they had. To all of those people I proudly say "FUCK YOU."
By: Ryan Murphy | December 21, 2011
During a live broadcast of Raw on June 27, CM Punk sat cross-legged on the entrance ramp in a vintage “Stone Cold” Steve Austin T-shirt and delivered a monologue that has become the sports-entertainment equivalent of William Wallace’s speech to the war weary Scots at the end of “Braveheart.” A pointed, stirring battle cry that both indicted the enemy and roused the people, the call to arms led legions of WWE fans to unite under one word — change.
Frustrated with the direction of an industry he’s loved his entire life, The Straight Edge Superstar wanted to see a younger generation take charge and in the weeks since his incendiary rant he fought an uphill battle to make it happen.
At WWE TLC, the “change” Punk spoke about finally began to take shape. On that night in Baltimore, not only did Punk successfully defend his WWE Championship in a thrilling main event, but Zack Ryder grabbed the United States Championship and Daniel Bryan won the World Heavyweight Title.
Special thanks to Kim of Ted-DiBiaseJr.com for sharing her awesome candids of Punk from yesterday’s Raw supershow. Click below to view.
Related Links:
Fan Candids > Kim’s Candids – Philadelphia, PA 12/19/11 – Raw
Fightin’ Fanboys: WWE Champion C.M. Punk
A video interview with the Straight Edge Superstar and reigning WWE champ about Ed Brubaker, Doctor Doom and more
Posted Dec 20, 2011 3:16 pm
What was C.M. Punk doing just hours before winning the WWE Championship this November at Survivor Series? Chatting with Marvel.com of course!
We dispatched James Viscardi to catch up with the Straight Edge Superstar at historic Madison Square Garden and speak with the noted Marvel fan about his favorite characters, which writers he follows and which Marvel hero could be considered the best in the world as well as much more! Enjoy!
Source: marvel.com
[ Digitals | Screen caps ]
Six-Man Tag Team Match set for main event
The trio of WWE Champion CM Punk, World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan and United States Champion Zack Ryder had reason to celebrate. Lifelong sports-entertainment fans, the three Superstars overcame some serious odds to walk away from WWE TLC with their respective titles in hand. But the mutual admiration society didn’t have much time to pat each other on the back in Philadelphia. Soon besieged by the tyrannical trio of The Miz, Alberto Del Rio and Dolph Ziggler, the three champions fought off their attackers before receiving word from Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis that they will face those three Superstars in tonight’s main event.
WWE Champion CM Punk, World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan & United States Champion Zack Ryder def. The Miz, Alberto Del Rio & Dolph Ziggler
It looks like the change The Straight Edge Superstar promised is finally coming to fruition. Entering the ring through a raucous Philly crowd, WWE Champion CM Punk, World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan & United States Champion Zack Ryder showed how they were leading WWE into 2012 by blasting their way through a veritable rogues’ gallery with blunt force. The exciting young Superstars each got their fill of action before Bryan made Del Rio tap out to The LeBell Lock.
If it wasn’t clear at WWE TLC, it should be after this bout — the future is now.
@CMPunk: If you can’t get behind this, you will be left behind. pic.twitter.com/HAdr5ImZ
Related Links:
Pictures from other websites > Twitter.com > CM Punk’s Twitter
By: Joey Styles | December 19, 2011
When hearing the words “the great escape” many people immediately think of the 1963 classic war film starring Steve McQueen, James Garner and Richard Attenborough.
However, after WWE TLC “the great escape” may instead recall how WWE Champion CM Punk was handcuffed to the middle rope and unsnared himself by unscrewing the turnbuckle and disconnecting the rope en route to winning one of the most physically punishing WWE matches in history.
While Punk’s act of cunning will unquestionably will live on WWE highlight reels in perpetuity, was it the greatest escape in wrestling history? WWE.com submits these other close calls and asks that you make the call and submit your own memories on twitter using #WWEgreatescapes
July 17, 2011: At Money in the Bank, CM Punk defeats John Cena in his hometown of Chicago on the last day of his contact to escape WWE with its most prized possession, the WWE Championship.
Punk was interviewed on WMMR FM radio earlier today in Philadelphia, PA. Listen below.
