WWE star CM Punk reveals his six favourite professional wrestlers of all time

CM Punk is arguably one of the best in-ring performers

CM Punk has always worn his passion for wrestling on his sleeve, and this week, he offered fans a glimpse into the stars who shaped his career.

Appearing on Pardon My Take, the former WWE World Champion named six legends he considers his personal favorites of all time: Bret Hart, Roddy Piper, Terry Funk, Eddie Guerrero, Harley Race, and Dusty Rhodes.

Each name carries weight in wrestling history, from Hart’s technical mastery to Piper’s unmatched charisma, Guerrero’s innovation, and Rhodes’ larger-than-life personality. For Punk, who prides himself on authenticity and storytelling inside the ring, the list is a direct reflection of his own wrestling philosophy.

CM Punk opens up about the WWE locker room dynamic

While sharing his influences, Punk also spoke candidly about life behind the curtain in WWE. Once known as a loner during his first run, with a reputation for being difficult to trust, Punk acknowledged that things are much different today.

He explained that not everyone in the locker room is close, but professionalism ensures that personal feelings don’t get in the way of business. “If you’re a true professional, you don’t have to even remotely like the guy you work with. The business is built on trust,” Punk said.

The Chicago native added that he’s not someone who socializes heavily outside the ring, yet he believes the current WWE environment is more open and collaborative than before. He credited the roster’s creativity, admitting that he’s more receptive to ideas than in the past.

Embracing collaboration and AJ Lee’s comeback

Perhaps the biggest shift for Punk has been his attitude toward storytelling. Rather than pushing his own direction, he’s adopted a John Cena-inspired “they deal ’em, I play ’em” mentality. He explained that many of his ideas are now aimed at elevating others, not just himself.

And at the heart of Punk’s newfound happiness is his wife, AJ Lee. Her surprise return to WWE has brought him a sense of joy and excitement that he hasn’t felt in years. He described working with her as a dream come true, saying he feels “like a kid at Christmas” every time they share the stage.

For a man once known as wrestling’s most divisive figure, Punk seems more at peace than ever. With his heroes guiding his mindset, a collaborative locker room around him, and AJ by his side, he’s fully embracing this chapter of his career.

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