Source: Miami Herald
After Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) emerged as the new breed unleashed this past summer by World Wrestling Entertainment, CM Punk became the new face of a new brand.
Early in his indie career, the Chicago native gained fans’ respect with marathon matches against guys like Chris Hero and the straight-edge mantra he lives: no drugs, no alcohol, only competition.
Punk, the future of ECW, is now undefeated in ECW, and even though he is competing on a larger stage, he still elicits the same dedicated cult-like fan base from his indie nights.
Take the recent Survivor Series, one of WWE’s biggest pay-per-views. Punk joined Shawn Michaels, Triple H and the Hardy Boyz on the DX team. Even with the star power generated by those four, popular WWE mainstays, Punk was the name Philadelphia fans chanted.
”I don’t even know if I can explain it, but it was pretty awesome,” said Punk, who has a number of tattoos on his body, including the ever-popular Pepsi logo.
“You can probably imagine going and working nine years in front of 50 people to thousands and thousands of people. To have 17,000 in a sold out Wachovia Center in Philly chant my name in the Survivor Series in my WWE pay-per-view debut was just awesome. It was seriously a dream come true.”
Before making it to WWE, Punk earned a solid reputation and championships in independent companies across the country including IWA Mid-South, Major League Wrestling (MLW) and the Philadelphia-based Ring of Honor. He even had a stint in Total Nonstop Action wrestling (NWA/TNA).
”Wrestling is a universal thing,” said Punk. “If you can captivate people in a National Guard Armory in Charleston, Indiana, you can probably captivate 17,000 people in a Wachovia Center.
“You have to have a passion for it. You have to want to do it and study wrestling. You have to know its past. The transition was fairly easy. The only thing that gets me and a lot of guys starting out is the pressure to do good and do good immediately.
“If you go out there and have a match and don’t do so good, that could be your one chance. You might only have that one shot to make a first impression. Luckily, I did that.”
While most tattoo-laden talented youngsters might let their trek toward superstardom go to their heads, Punk remains grounded and appreciative for his opportunity. His dedicated and positive attitude gave him the chance to work alongside veterans including Mick Foley, Terry Funk, Harley Race and Raven, who appreciated his desire and will to learn.
”I know there are a lot of guys that I ask advice from,” said Punk. “I worked with Ricky Steamboat in Ring of Honor, so I know I can always go to Ricky. William Regal is there watching not only my matches but every single match on the show.
“If ECW and SmackDown! are taping together, he will watch all the SmackDown! shows and stay after to watch all the ECW stuff, giving advance to me and everybody around.
“If I have a question to ask anybody, I don’t hesitate to ask because a lot of the veterans are there to help out. Chris Benoit is there and the behind the scenes producers I also get advice from.
‘There is such a wealth of wrestling knowledge behind the scenes at WWE right now. It is pretty ridiculous not to ask guys opinions. Even if I had a perfect match, quote, unquote, I would still try to bounce different ideas and `what if’ situations to Arn Anderson or Dusty Rhodes to just get a different angle and opinion on it.”
Punk contends his personal choice of philosophy and lifestyle does not affect his relationship with his co-workers.
”Drugs and alcohol are just something I never wanted to do,” said Punk. “It has no interest to me. I’ve gone and hung out with the boys. The thing about the wrestling business is nobody is going to force you to drink. A lot of times they just want you to come hang out with the boys to get to know you.
“The comradery of the boys is something that is important to a lot of the guys. If you’re always not going out and staying to yourself that may rub people the wrong way.
“They might think you are kind of a loner or better than you really are. It’s always a misunderstanding. I’ve gone out with people while they’re drinking, and I’ve never been pressured to take so much as a sip.”
It’s Punk’s individuality which makes him a perfect fit in today’s ECW. Working with Paul Heyman in Ohio Valley Wrestling, the feeder group to WWE, helped Punk progress. Heyman wanted Punk in ECW when Vince McMahon decided to re-form the group, albeit with a different approach.
”I think ECW presents a more reality-based, down-to-earth, gritty product,” said Punk. “I think obviously with guys like myself and Sabu, it’s guys you wouldn’t see on Raw.
“We’re kind of like the land of misfit wrestlers. I think that in itself separates us. You want to see the guys that don’t really care. Certainly, they’re not pretty boys. I mean take a look at Sabu. This guys got scars up and down his body. He’ll do anything to win a match. I think the extreme rules matches definitely separate us from everyone else.”
For years, Punk utilized a more high-risk arsenal, which is common in today’s business to build interest in matches. However, recently, he reverted to a more ground-based submission game.
Considering WWE’s recent talks with Mixed Martial Arts company Pride Fighting Championships, could Punk compete in such an environment?
”If they wanted me to fight right now, I would,” said Punk. “I would just need six to eight months to extensively train for it. I’ve never done a fight before and am not saying I’m a tough guy. It would be something that would interest me. I would just need to get a hardcore training regiment to actually compete.”
Competition is key for Punk, who heads into an extreme elimination chamber match 8 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 3 at ECW’s December to Dismember pay-per-view.
”This is the biggest match of my career,” said Punk. “I have an undefeated streak going into this thing, and I think I will remain undefeated. I intend to be the ECW champion at the end of the night.
“I watched the past four elimination chamber matches to kind of put me in the right mood and mindset and to see how everyone else has utilized this cage. I’m not the biggest guy, but I definitely have the biggest heart.”
• CM Punk joins ECW champ the Big Show, Rob Van Dam, Sabu, Test and Bobby Lashley in the first-ever extreme elimination chamber match 8 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 3 at ECW’s December to Dismember PPV from Augusta, GA.
For one night only on ECW PPV, the Hardy Boyz team to battle MNM Joey Mercury and Johnny Nitro with Melina.
Plus, Sandman, Hardcore Holly, Tommy Dreamer, Daivari and more.
• SmackDown will be taped, and ECW will be live on Tuesday, Jan. 2 at the Lakeland Civic Center in Lakeland, Fla. Ticket prices $60, $40, $30, $20.
Tickets available at the box office, TicketMaster online, Ticketmaster outlets or charge by phone at 863-682-5300 or 813-287-8844.
• SmackDown and ECW will have a house show (no TV) 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30 at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Tickets are currently on sale.
Tickets are $40, $30 and $20. Tickets available at University Box Office, Reitz Union, Ticketmaster outlets, TicketMaster online or charge by phone at 352-392-5500, 352-392-1653 and 904-353-3309.
• WWE’s Monday Night Raw begins 2007 in Miami with a live show on New Year’s Day night at the AmericanAirlines Arena, home of the world champion Miami Heat.
Tickets, ranging from $20-$70, are on sale now at the arena box office, TicketMaster online, TicketMaster outlets or charge by phone. Bell time is 8 p.m. on Jan. 1 with the live broadcast starting at 9 p.m. ET.
• Armed Forces Entertainment has once again invited World Wrestling Entertainment to bring holiday cheer and perform a series of wrestling matches for U.S. troops based in Iraq.
On Christmas night, WWE will present WWE Tribute to the Troops: Christmas in Baghdad, which airs 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT Monday, Dec. 25 on the USA Network.
The television special will highlight military personnel telling their stories, interacting with WWE superstars and enjoying a presentation of WWE action.
WWE is teaming with America Supports You, A Million Thanks and Microsoft to show support for U.S. uniformed personnel.
• WWE presents The Spectacular Legacy of the American Wrestling Association (AWA) on DVD.
The two-disc set features Verne and Greg Gagne, Larry and Curt Hennig, Nick Bockwinkel, Bobby The Brain Heenan, Mean gene Okerlund, Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty, Jesse the Body Ventura and Adrian Adonis, Baron Von Raschke, Sgt. Slaughter, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Ricky the Dragon Steamboat, Jim Brunzell, Eric Bischoff, The Road Warriors, Crusher and Bruiser, Dusty Rhodes, the Iron Sheik, Mr. Saito, Mad Dog Vachon and more.
• Born To Controversy: The Roddy Piper Story is available on DVD via WWE. The three-disc set features some of his greatest matches, Piper’s Pit segments and interviews with Hulk Hogan, Cowboy Bob Orton, Greg The Hammer Valentine, Ric Flair and more.
