CM Punk, born Phillip Jack Brooks in Chicago on October 26, 1978, is one of the most recognizable and polarizing figures in modern professional wrestling. He cut his teeth on the indie scene before making a splash in WWE, quickly winning over fans with a gritty, technical style and – maybe even more so – with his sharp, brutally honest promos. For many, Punk was the antidote to the overly polished, corporate WWE era. He said things others wouldn’t dare, and in doing so, built a fiercely loyal following.
Punk’s biggest moment in the spotlight came when he held the WWE Championship for 434 days between 2011 and 2013 – a reign that helped cement his status as both a fan favorite and a locker-room lightning rod. But it was the famous “pipe bomb” promo in June 2011 that really set him apart. Sitting cross-legged on the stage, Punk aired his frustrations with WWE management in a way that blurred the line between storyline and reality. It wasn’t just viral wrestling TV; it was a pop culture moment that resonated with fans and critics alike.
Beyond the Ring
Things took a dramatic turn in 2014 when Punk walked away from WWE. He didn’t just fade into obscurity, though. Instead, he popped up in some surprising places – writing comics for Marvel (taking on characters like Drax and Thor), acting in the indie horror film “Girl on the Third Floor,” and even stepping into the UFC octagon for two fights. The MMA stint didn’t go his way, but in typical Punk fashion, he put himself out there and chased what interested him, regardless of the risk.
Away from the cameras and the drama, friends and colleagues often describe a very different side of Punk: intensely loyal, private, and a little guarded. It’s a sharp contrast to the no-holds-barred persona that fans are used to seeing. That tension between his public and private selves is part of what makes him so compelling to follow.
Romantically, Punk’s life has mostly played out behind the scenes – at least as much as that’s possible in the wrestling world. His most meaningful relationship started in 2013 with fellow wrestler AJ Mendez (known to fans as AJ Lee). Their connection quickly deepened, and they got married less than a year later, in a low-key ceremony in June 2014, officiated by a close friend. It was exactly what you’d expect from two people who’ve spent their careers avoiding the spotlight when they can.
Before AJ, Punk was involved with several women from the wrestling business. He and Amy Dumas (better known as Lita) dated from 2009 to 2013, a high-profile relationship given Dumas’s legendary status. There were shorter flings too – with Beth Phoenix in 2011 and Barbie Blank (Kelly Kelly) in the mid-2000s. Rumors over the years also linked him to Maria Kanellis and Mickie James, but nothing was ever confirmed.
Finding Balance
Maybe the most interesting thing about Punk and Mendez’s relationship is how they’ve managed to defend their privacy amid two very public careers. After Punk’s WWE exit, Mendez stayed with the company for over a year. It would’ve been easy for jealousy or awkwardness to creep in, but by all accounts, they supported each other through it. When Mendez retired from wrestling in 2015, she pivoted to writing, releasing a candid and successful memoir, “Crazy Is My Superpower.”
Punk, meanwhile, eventually found his way back to the ring. After seven years away, he made a headline-grabbing return in 2021 with AEW, with AJ cheering him on out of the spotlight.
They’ve built a life together in Chicago that seems grounded and, by wrestling standards, remarkably private. Shared passions – from comic books and tattoos to animal rescue – are part of their daily lives, but they keep most of it off social media. Every once in a while, Punk will let his guard down in an interview and hint at what makes his marriage work: “When you find someone who really gets you, everything else falls into place,” he once said.
Past Relationships
A.J. Mendez
Beth Phoenix
Amy Dumas
Barbie Blank
Maria Kanellis
Tracy Brookshaw
Shannon Spruill
Mickie James
Cathy Corino
Becky Bayless
It’s a striking shift for a guy who made his name by speaking out about everything. In his personal life, though, he’s chosen a quieter route, staying away from the spectacle. As fans and critics debate his legacy in wrestling, it’s clear there’s another side to Punk – one that values loyalty, real connection, and a sense of home far more than the drama he once thrived on in the ring. For a man defined by defying expectations, living a drama-free personal life might just be his biggest surprise yet.