CM Punk is still one of the biggest and most popular WWE stars in the industry nearly three decades after his professional wrestling debut.
Punk’s legendary feuds with John Cena, as well as Seth Rollins in his second run, have helped make him one of the most enduring figures in the industry.
The Best in the World’s return to WWE in 2023 is one of the biggest surprises in history, and his run in the intervening years has lived up to the hype.
Here is everything you need to know about Punk.
How old is CM Punk?
Punk was born in Chicago, Illinois, on 26 October 1978, making him 48 years old as of September 2025.
What is CM Punk’s height and weight?
CM Punk’s billed height is 6’2″ (188 cm) and his billed weight is 218 lbs (99 kg).
X/Twitter and Instagram accounts
Punk can be found on social media on the handle @CMPunk on both Instagram and X (formerly known as X).
The star is far more active on Instagram than X, where he has 1.8 million followers and he’s posted 309 times.
CM Punk’s failed UFC career
After his first stint in WWE came to an end at the beginning of 2014, the Best in the World announced he had signed to UFC.
The star fought twice in Dana White’s company, but Punk failed to win either of his fights. His debut against Mickey Gall at UFC 203 saw him lose by submission in the first round.
Punk’s second fight took place at UFC 225 Mike Jackson, in the Best in the World’s hometown of Chicago, Illinois.
He lost the fight by unanimous decision, although Jackson later tested positive for marijuana so it was made a no contest.
CM Punk’s wife
Punk is married to former WWE star AJ Lee, who he met during their time on Monday Night Raw between 2012 and 2014. The pair married in 2014, and they reside in Los Angeles, California.
AJ Lee returned to WWE in September 2025 to team with Punk against Becky Lynch and Rollins at Wrestlepalooza.
What is CM Punk’s plan after WWE retirement?
In an interview with The Metro, Punk said he didn’t have a retirement plan because “You never know what’s going to happen.”
However, the star has reportedly expressed an interest in taking over the reins of WWE NXT from Shawn Michaels when he hangs up his boots.
“Basically, he wants this to work out, he wants to get paid, and then he wants, when it’s time to slow it down, to slow it down and just run NXT,” said Ibou on WrestlePurists.
CM Punk’s incredible 434-day WWE Championship run
Punk’s peak during his first WWE run was holding the company’s top belt for well over a year between 2011 and 2013.
Punk defended the title against the likes of John Cena, Chris Jericho, and Daniel Bryan, before controversially dropping the strap to The Rock at the Royal Rumble in 2013.
This caused Punk to miss out on the WrestleMania main event, which ended up being The Rock vs Cena for a second time.
Nevertheless, the 434-day reign was the high point of the product at the time and cemented Punk as a main event star.
CM Punk’s WWE championship reigns
Punk has held nine championships in his WWE career since signing in 2005, including seven World Championship reigns.
| Championship | Number of reigns |
| WWE Championship | 2 times |
| World Heavyweight Championship | 4 times |
| ECW World Championship | 1 time |
| Intercontinental Championship | 1 time |
| World Tag Team Championships | 1 time (with Kofi Kingston) |
The only championship that has eluded Punk throughout his WWE career is the United States Championship.
Punk has also won the Money in the Bank briefcase on two occasions, as well as 11 Slammy Awards.
CM Punk’s AEW career
Punk returned to professional wrestling for the first time since leaving WWE in 2014 by appearing at AEW’s First Dance in 2019.
The star signed a long-term contract with the company and wrestled the likes of Jon Moxley, Darby Allin, and Hangman Page.
Punk’s time with the company was incredibly controversial, and included two backstage fights during his short tenure.
He reportedly fought with The Elite (Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, and Page) after his match at All Out in 2022.
The star also confronted Jack Perry ahead of his match with Samoa Joe at AEW All In at Wembley Stadium, which saw him fired by Tony Khan.
CM Punk’s WWE dream match wish list
In an interview with 1035 KISSFM after the culmination of his feud with Drew McIntyre in 2024, Punk picked several names he’d like to work with in WWE.
Punk named Rey Mysterio, Cena, Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, Chad Gable, Ludwig Kaiser, Gunther, Dominik Mysterio, and Damian Priest as names he’d like to face before he retires.
Since the interview, Punk has faced several of these names on TV, PLE, or at house shows.
Punk faced John Cena at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia and he faced Gable in his El Grande Americano guise on WWE Raw.
The Best in the World has faced Ludwig Kaiser and Dominik Mysterio in WWE house shows since making his return, but never in front of the cameras.
He also took on and defeated Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam, before he was screwed by Seth Rollins’ Money in the Bank cash-in.
The only names from that list that he’s yet to properly face are Mysterio, Priest, and Orton.