CM Punk’s WWE debut turns 20 years old on the same night he defends the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes.
Punk’s first televised match came on August 1, 2006, when he beat Justin Credible with the Anaconda Vise on an episode of ECW on Sci-Fi taped at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York. That match capped a short build that started with a house show appearance on June 24, 2006, at the former ECW Arena, followed by a pre-taped promo about his straight edge lifestyle that aired July 4, 2006.
Punk marked the anniversary on his Instagram Story, posting a photo of a new WWE Shop shirt commemorating the milestone.
“I debuted on WWE tv twenty years ago today. From Philadelphia to Minnesota and everywhere in between. Today is for the fans. Thank you for the support,” Punk wrote.
The shirt, the Men’s Black CM Punk 20 Years Boots Boxy T-Shirt, is now available on WWE Shop.
“This is a cool shirt. It means a lot to me. I’m fortunate I get to do this. I enjoy every moment in front of a live audience. It’s why I do house shows. It is a privilege. I wrestle every match like it is my last because I never know when it will be. Enjoy yourself. It’s later than you think. Love you all,” Punk added.
CM Punk Reflects on his 20-Year WWE Anniversary
Punk also discussed the milestone with ESPN’s Get Up ahead of Night One of SummerSlam.
“I do believe August 1st, Saturday, first night of SummerSlam, the show that I’m wrestling on, will be my 20th anniversary of debuting in the WWE, and what keeps me going is the fact that everyone kind of looks at that like, ‘Oh, you’re finishing up. You’re getting ready to say goodbye,’” Punk said.
Proving Critics Wrong
Punk pointed to LeBron James and Tom Brady as the standard he measures himself against.
“I look to older athletes that have been in that same position and I’m talking LeBron (James), Tom Brady, people who are extraordinary at what they do when they necessarily shouldn’t be that good and that kind of feeds the drive and the ego a little bit. I like proving people wrong.
The Stakes On Night One
Punk arrives at the anniversary holding a title he didn’t have a year ago. He beat Sami Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Championship on the July 6 Raw in his hometown of Chicago, months after dropping the World Heavyweight Championship to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42.
Rhodes gets his shot Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, a match Punk has already framed as a measuring stick between the two. WrestleVotes Radio has reported that Punk and Reigns are the internal favorites to retain their titles this weekend, though Punk has said the crowd’s affection makes a heel turn nearly impossible no matter how the build shifts.
