CM Punk born in Chicago
Punk is born in Chicago, Illinois. Punk grows up in the area as an active fan of rock music, comic books and the Chicago Cubs. Both of his parents struggle with substance abuse through his early life.
I grew up with an alcoholic father. He never beat me, he never raised a hand against my mother or anything like that, but I’d seen enough stupid and ridiculous things between that, my mother and her prescription pills, and just hanging out with an older crowd when I was a kid, that I didn’t understand a lot of the fun to what partying was, so I just never did it. I didn’t understand waking up next to somebody you don’t remember going to bed with; I didn’t understand getting, you know, blackout drunk and not remembering the good times you have with your buddies; and I feel so strongly about it that I’ve just always been this way—it just made sense.
Joins TNA
Punk begins appearing for TNA Wrestling on their weekly pay-per-view events. He appears as part of the faction “The Gathering”.
I got into NWA:TNA through an old friend from Minnesota, Mortimer Plumtree. After my concussion and head fracture I was in Philly traveling with my good friends Josh Prohibition and M-Dog 20. Ace called me and told me to come home; we were going to be on the PPV. We got there and saw on the booking sheet we were going to be a tag team that was going over and getting into the battle royal. Like lots of times in this business, dont count your chickens till they hatched.
Leaves TNA
Punk leaves TNA when the company ends their talent sharing agreement with Ring of Honor. Punk, wishing to still compete in ROH, severs ties with the company entirely to continue working with ROH.
Signs with WWE
Punk competes in a try-out match on WWE Sunday Night Heat. He is later offered a developmental deal with WWE to begin training in their OVW territory which he accepts.
Punk, Lee marry
Punk marries Lee during a private ceremony. The event is attended by close friends and family. The pair met while working for WWE as performers.
Ice Bucket Challenge: CM Punk
Punk takes the charity Ice Bucket challenge with AJ Lee.
Signs with UFC
Punk signs with UFC fighting. He is set to make his fighting debut sometime in 2015. At 185 pounds, he will fight as a middleweight. Punk comments:
This is my new career, 100-percent. I’m going to go full steam ahead, all systems go after today, and it’s going to be fun. My professional wrestling days are over, it’s awesome to be here. This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.