CM Punk

[9.0] "The nickname is almost not a lie. CM Punk is certainly one of the best in the world. He isn't THE best in the world, as his backstage controversy has caused a division mostly in his fanbase. But his promo work, wrestling skills, and general longevity certainly make him one of a kind."

[7.0] "He is undeniably great as a pro wrestler and one of the most impactful of this century. To me the biggest testament and his magnum opus would remain his pipebomb not only because it legitimately encompasses so much of what Punk is as a performer in my eyes and what he is in the eyes of his loudest fans and harshest critics. The fact that a big chunk of people especially when it originally happened believed it to be real is so impressive and a testament of him as a performer. I guess your opinion on him would also heavily be impacted by what directly appeals to one about pro wrestling, some people love the work shoot element of it while many genuinely find a connection with the "irl" person and root for them in an almost parasocial manner and ofc the very americanised, promo centric approach as well all. To me those are the elements I can appreciate and find a lot of enjoyment out of sometimes with the right performer or situation, but primarily I value expression in the ring and in that field I think Punk is pretty solid in ring with his ROH work and the Cena feud being his best work imo."

"He's probably the best at mic work don't get me wrong, and his performance before was good, but I think people shrug off a little bit too much how much of a hypocrite this guy is. If we exclude that, he has great feuds, but his actual in-rIng performance has declined."

[7.0] "Never saw Punk at his prime so I can only rate what I have seen. Great run in AEW outside of his bizarre meltdowns. WWE return has been pretty horrid like 99% of the product over the last few years outside the great final match with Drew. His character has lost all creditability and really should be a heel if they want it to make sense. Tough to rate."

[8.0] "While I cannot stand the man called Phil Brooks, I will admit as CM Punk he has been a strong performer, however the 8 rating goes to the years before he left and not what he does now. Back then, he was putting on great matches and had some entertaining feuds, always was fire on the mic even if at times he took it too far and thought too highly of himself which made him come across as too smug, arrogant and cocky for my liking. I don't care for his work now, too washed up and injury prone in my opinion, plus his real life arrogance being even worse (it was always there but it's cranked up to 11 now)"

"[5.0] Since his 2011 rise I would rock all his shirts and slick my hair back because I thought I was as cool as CM Punk was back in Middle School. Seeing him quit WWE did break my heart. Punk came back to AEW was so freaking awesome to see because AEW was like this rebellion product mixing that with CM Punks rebellion fighting spirit I was a very happy man. Anxiety and depression hit me so hard I didnt even know how those things felt like, it was like loosing my mind and I always remembered singing CM Punks Cult of Personality in my head and even mumbling it because that song with CM Punk made me feel like not giving up and all those stuff. If it wasnt for remembering that Cult of Personality theme I dont even know what would have happened. Ive gotten better and all then I see the backstage stuff with Punk and AEW and him getting fired. That shit broke me down even more. Then he comes back to WWE where he vowed to never return and quoting stuff like "not here for friends only here for money" or even "im too old and too rich to give a damn" that shit made me realize how much of a hypocrite he was and all of his rebellion fighting spirit against the corporation was a fake fasaud. Im glad I found other wrestlers that I can look ip to have that rebellious fighting spirit and actually mean it, breathe it and live it. So yeah, maturing is realizing that CM Punk only cares for his pay checks and for those who kiss his ass no matter what he does good or bad"

[9.0] "He's my personal favorite wrestler of all time. In the ring he's a bit washed now, but he's almost 50. Who wouldn't be? His promos are still good, and despite being a bit washed he's still good in the ring. I can't give him a 10 because IMO a 10 requires you to transcend the wrestling business. His feud with Drew McIntyre is a contender(and my pick) for best of the decade so far."

[10.0] "Punk will always be one of the most polarizing wrestlers in pro wrestling history, and that's never going to change. Many like him, many hate him. Something that's hard to deny is that he's one of the best talkers of the modern era if not ever. His run from 2011-2013 and the first year of his AEW run has been some of the best stuff I've ever seen in wrestling. When he's motivated, his feuds are must watch. Is he athletic? No. But that doesn't prevent him from being good in the ring. His matches are great because he's able to tell the story in the ring very well, which many wrestlers these days simply cannot do. 2025 was a down year for him. It had it's highs but also a bunch of lows. So far 2026 has been a really good year for him and I hope it continues."

[8.0] "I like CM Punk, really do, wasn't a huge fan of wrestling during his height of popularity, but still, someone who I appreciate as a good wrestler overall. My main gripe is him in the modern day, where he essentially sold out. I was okay with his AEW stuff, didn't appreciate how he tried to jump Tony Khan & Jungle Jack Perry, but alas, I have to give him his dues. Seeing all the stuff he's doing rn at WWE makes me appreciate older Punk less, but overall, good wreslter, shame that he has a past of trouble in the locker room."

[10.0] "Cm punk is one of the very top wrestlers of this generation has a catalog of great matches and moments. He has had many great title reigns and has carried the company especially in 2011"

[9.0] "His run from 2011 to early 2014 was generational, nobody doubts that he is one of the best on the mic and I also think he is fairly underrated in ring."

[10.0] "CM Punk. wybitny mic skill, ringowo przyjemny do ogladania. zdecydowanie jeden z topowych wrestlerow w historii."

[10.0] "My top 5 wrestlers from my childhood, adolescence, and adulthood: I don't think there's been a wrestler who has influenced my life as much as CM Punk. I still find it quite funny that in 2009 he was the villain even when he promoted a straight edge life... yeah only CM Punk could make me hate Jeff Hardy lol"

[6.0] "I mean, I guess I just don't see the vision behind CM Punk. While I won't ever argue or disagree as to how great his persona, or how amazing he is on the mic (he's one of the greatest ever, in my opinion), I would argue that his in ring work was never amazing, and has declined significantly over the years. It doesn't help his believability that he tries to play the brave, fighting babyface when he had a complete failure of an MMA career either. Nothing against the man, but overall I have seen better."

[6.0] "CM Punk connection with the fans is the only reason he has this high rating. Seriously when was the last great match he was part of? He should've never returned because all his work since returning to wrestling is below average. His first run was memorable by everyone watching wrestling but he was always good but not great inside the ring. His mic skills are good but he's no where near guys like Jericho Miz etc."

[8.0] "It is hard to rate cm punk because I feel like his quality is different now than it was then. If I am rating early 2010's cm punk that is an easy 10. His promo work was god tier and his matches were consistently amazing. However these days he's so washed. His mic work is still great but it's definitely not as good as it once was. Where he has fallen the most is his match quality. He had two genuine gems since returning those being the hell in a cell match and the mania 41 triple threat but outside of those matches it's mostly stinkers. He had a match with Gunther which is probably the most boring match I've ever seen. He had a match with both Jey and Bron that were major botch fests. He also had a match with AJ Styles that was kind of a snooze. AJ Styles was on an absolute roll since crown jewel and the one match he had I thought was mediocre was against CM Punk. I feel like that says a lot. He's just so gassed in every match and it's sad to see. Overall I like this guy but he has definitely fallen off."

"10.0 The greatest of all time man. Genuinely do not have enough words to describe how great a talent he is. Whenever he speaks on the mic you feel what he is saying, even old man Punk is capable and has been putting on banger after banger after banger during his current title run. Genuuinely the goat"

"[10.0] From his days as an indie sensation, bringing Japanese moves and a charismatic persona to the scene, to his storied career as a changing of the style of WWE and who could get pushed, combined with his exceptional promo skill, he is undoubtedly a wrestler who have every stage of his career studied and watched for years to come, by both fans and upcoming wrestlers. Truly a modern classic."

[2.0] "He was always clumsy in the ring but decent on the mic. The problem is that even his best promos he's whining and complaining about his station in life in wrestling. Then he got older and now he's not only clumsier, he's out of breath after 10 minutes and his promos are a strange mix of white meat babyface from the 70's with more whining and none of it makes sense. It's been that way since his first match back in 2021. His entire kayfabe and shoot persona is self congratulatory. He's exactly like Roddy Piper except Piper didn't pretend he was a great guy. Punk is so hypersensitive he lets every comment he doesn't approve of ruin his universe and then he makes it everyone else's problem. He's maybe the least deserving big star that is constantly forgiven for his poor behavior and get showered in adulation."

[10.0] "One of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time and my personal favorite. CM Punk has been one of the most entertaining guys to watch from the days of ROH to his early run in wwe to the record breaking championship run to even the run in AEW. His recent run as "Old Man Punk" has soldified his GOAT status even more so for me. A masterclass in how not being the most athletic or technical guy are not reasons to not be one of the most popular and best. 2026 especially has been a year of (if its even possible) another revalation for CM Punk! Almost singlehandedly making pro wrestling watchable for me personally. His run as WHC currently is one of the most entertaining things as well!"

[3.0] "So much talk, really good at talking. Then what? The bell to bell only delivered when it never mattered & on the big stage - he under performed. Total choke artist. One of those "its ALL talk" guys, like a Shane Douglas. It just never worked for me. It never clicked & i never bought into him. I kinda liked his WWECW stuff but even that felt underwhelming. He's so-so at best. But, "oh the mic work". Look kid, promos are cute n all. But i like BELL TO BELL stuff & i could never ever find him that credible. It just never worked for me. Also, the greasy hair, the goofy tattoos all this AND the guy should work out more if he's gonna just yap yap yap...dude NEVER kept in good ring condition. UGH! so overrated its painful."

[2.0] "he could certainly hang with the best of them in his prime, but now he just looks desperately outmatched by any main event-quality talent. i can appreciate what he did to bring eyes to aew, but the current direction of aew suggests that aew still exists in spite of him, rather than because of him. his aew world title reigns did absolutely nothing for anyone besides him, and his poor behavior backstage and subsequent departure left the company with 3 more hours on tv and nothing to fill it with. early collision was nearly unwatchable if you weren't already invested in punk (which i wasn't), and his "tell me when i'm telling lies" promo and damn near every main event being cmftr versus some random heels are a huge reason why. to paraphrase the big bad booty daddy, he belongs in wwe, because wwe sucks."

[10.0] "Best of his generation on the mic and one of the best ever. Can talk people into the building whether that's to root for or against him. Never been the best athlete, but he understands match psychology and has fantastic timing. Knows how to structure a believable match and makes up for his shortcomings by being smart. Very glad he decided to come back to wrestling after such a length time off. One of the best of all time."

[10.0] "Amazing performer in and out of the ring. One of those guys we will still talk about in 100 years. A genius. Maybe the best talker in history. I'm glad he decided to come back and i'm glad he's back in WWE. Still very good in 2026."

[10.0] "Right now he may be sloppy but I'm still giving him a 10 mainly because of his charisma and mic skills."

[5.0] "I'll give good ol' Phil here a 5 because there are points and moments of his career that I like and remember fondly, but man am I absolutely sick of seeing this guy on my TV screen. I don't like this guy outside of wrestling so I'll try not to let it affect my opinion of his work. Let's just get things straight here, this is a 47 year old man still hogging the spotlight away from younger and honestly better talent and is now trying to do the same exact thing with his wife in the women's division. He has had some good matches lately, like the Gunther and McIntyre HIAC ones, but think about it, has those really served any purpose besides putting Punk over? Besides the few, every match feels the same, Punk can't move like he used to anymore, and most importantly no one else is getting over! Thinking about his entire career in retrospect, I always thought his mic work, while rock solid, was a tad overrated. He was always better as a heel but yet his giant ass ego won't let WWE present him as anything but a face. Punk's best work by far was the "Second City Saint" stuff in ROH, the Jeff Hardy feud, and the Cena 2011 feud, besides those three moments, very little about Punk's career and work has stuck with me. 5 for now, could go even lower if he continues the bullshit run he's had lately."

"He means that shit when he says he is the best in the world, he brings the best out of everyone while at the same time always having quality feuds"

[10.0] "As a wrestler throughout his career he seemed awkward in ring, but he more than made up for that with his promos, psychology, and crowd interactions. CM Punk always knew and/or knows how to make feuds matter. He has elevated so many wrestlers and made so many feuds mean more with his skills."

[10.0] "CM Punk isn't the most athletic, smooth, powerful, high flying, or technical wrestler. But he knows how to put on a great match. Whether it's against Brock Lesnar, Seth Rollins, Chris Jericho, Bryan Danielson, and more, he can tell a fantastic story in the ring and sell you on any match. His matches feel big time, and his mic skills and connection with the crowd are something only a few in the business can match."

[9.0] "Cm Punk when he first came to WWE felt like he was 100% real and there was nothing fake about him, proving to the company that he is the best in the world, he was one of my favorites as a child for a reason. Than he left and we all felt like he would never come back, and then he did. He came back to AEW and had to prove himself again, that he is deserving of the title scene again and that he is still a great wrestler, And he did. However now in his second stint With wwe it just doesn't feel the same. Yes he has had great moments like coming back, having his fued with Drew McIntyre, and than winning the title just to get cashed in by Seth, which is another great fued, but that doesn't change the fact that he's starting to feel like one of those corporate wrestlers. His second world title reign since coming back hasn't been that good albeit he won it in a awkward time near survivor series. But that doesn't take away the fact that he hasn't had that great moment with the belt, and that's what I want to see. I want to see something different with him again, he just feels the same as the others now."

"I do not see the appeal of CM Punk in WWE in this decade. What does he represent but the personality-melting effects of CTE and the sad reality that even the most principled-appearing people can be bought?"

[10.0] "A masterclass in storytelling. Every match has purpose, every pause is deliberate, every crowd reaction is earned, never begged for. It's not about flips or spotfests -- it's about intensity, timing, and pure psychology. He sells pain, sells conflict, sells the finish, and makes you feel like everything happening in the ring actually matters. The kind of performer who elevates anyone standing across from him."

[0.0] "Phil Brooks is a whiny, narcissistic, troublemaking, awful prick. No clue how anyone can genuinely like this guy just because he has said a few memorable lines. All his backstage (and public) meltdowns and tantrums make him such an unlikable figure. Whether it be the with the WWE doctors, Triple H, Vince McMahon (or his family) or anyone else in power at the WWE... or in AEW with Tony Khan, Jack Perry or literally anyone else who wouldn't worship the ground he walks on... he has just made trouble and picked fights with anyone and everyone. On top of all of this, he's genuinely just average in ring. Why he's anyone's favorite is FAR beyond me. He needs to hang it up already."

[8.0] "CM Punk from 2009-2012 was easily my favorite wrestler of all time. When he returned to AEW, I was so hyped because that's a company where he belongs. His later years in AEW weren't great, but when he returned to WWE, I was more excited than I was when he joined AEW. His feud with McIntyre from 2023-2024 was peak, and I liked how he teamed up with the OG Bloodline at Survivor Series. However, everything after WrestleMania 41 just hasn't been that great. Punk seems more like a corporate wrestler nowadays than the Voice of the Voiceless. Not only that, his feud with the Vision sucks, and his second title reign has been atrocious. He's only defended it once and he's won it in November last year, now it's December. CM Punk back then would easily be a 10, but his recent work takes away two points."

[10.0] "My GOAT. It was him who made me a wrestling fan, and it was him that made me comeback. Fantastic promos, incredible caracthers (the best in the world and the straight edge society) and a very solid in ring work."

[10.0] "He is undoubtedly the guy that can still go. He has matured enough to work in WWE again, so obviously he has mended fences. This guy can work with the best in WWE right now, Seth, Roman, Brock, AJ, Randy, etc."

[7.0] "The best wrestler in the microphone.Although he has good in ring skills but his mic work will always be remembered.Nobidy can ever forget his pipebomb and his epic rivalry with the likes of John Cena, Rock, Seth Rollins, Mark Henry, Jeff Hardy.He always tries to improve."

[8.0] "Best in mic worst in wrestling... IDK but i still love him if he hadn't quit wrestling to try himself in the UFC, he could've been better. but i understand he wants to prove himself to everyone."

[10.0] ""CM Punk is one of the most incredible superstars in WWE history. His in-ring ability, storytelling, and charisma are unmatched. Every match he steps into feels intense and memorable, and his presence alone elevates the entire show. From his technical skills to his ability to connect with the crowd, Punk consistently delivers performances that are nothing short of amazing. Without a doubt, he deserves a 10/10 for everything he brings to the ring and the legacy he has created.""

[10.0] "Top 5 for me. I love roh punk so much and he is really inspirational to me. Straight edge is forever (minor threat reference)"

"He isnt a good wrestler but hes good on the mic, thats all I can really say, he has the best theme song in the wwe, Living Colour's Cult of Personality is amazing. I really really like it so so much, wow"

[8.0] "Punk has established himself as such a prominent figure in wrestling that crowds were chanting his name ppv after ppv in the WWE before he made his amazing return (which I find to be the best in WWE's history). You can tell how experienced he is by his in ring psychology and minimal botches, and his storytelling is on another level as seen in his feuds with McIntyre, Cena and Hardy. Also his entrance themes are some of the best ever, this fire burns and cult of personality are absolute bangers, his mic work is also second to none. However, he's never been best in ring with a somewhat limited moveset. His temper problems have been an issue as seen in many videos and fan interactions. Overall he has influenced the wrestling world in a positive way and by winning the world heavyweight title in the most recent snme he will Continue his great work since his return"

[8.0] "One of the more memorable personalities to say the least, Punk is a very solid wrestler and even better promo, I have nothing but appreciation for Punk's talent and skills."

[10.0] "One of the more undeniable, and certainly most influential of his time. Top 3 mic worker in the history of the company, great in ring when he was younger and at 47 now he stills finds ways to tell a great story in the ring with whatever his body will allow of him. A polarizing, yet sturdy cornerstone of modern wrestling, whether you lover or hate him."

[5.0] "I'm gong with a 5 because his early career was great. CM Punk had some of the best matches and best feuds in early ROH. His 2011-2013 WWE run was legendary. He could get a 10 if he were that person today, or if he had just never come back to wrestling, Since his debut in AEW and continuing into his current WWE run, he's been a sloppy, unsafe, pre-madonna. A lot of people talk about his promo skills, but even those aren't as good as they were 10 to 15 years ago."

[7.0] "Good, but vastly overrated in the ring. I think his strength lies in his promo skills, and while not bad in the ring, I don't think he was ever close to being what he thinks he is. I also don't think his promos are quite as good as his fans think they are, but I understand he's divisive and that the people who love him LOVE him."

[10.0] "CM Punk is one of the most important wrestlers of all time. His charisma, mic skills, and in-ring storytelling are unmatched. A true legend who changed the business forever."

[4.0] "CM Punk is one of the most overhyped wrestlers ever. He's ruined the momentum of many careers, doesn't actually have the in-ring ability to back up his claims, and yet keeps pushing himself as the "best in the world." The reality is, most of his reputation is built on promos and controversy, not actual wrestling skill. The backstage hate he gets is more than justified, because he constantly stirs drama wherever he goes. His so-called anti-establishment persona is nothing more than a gimmick, because at the end of the day he's just selling that image to grab the biggest paycheck possible."

[10.0] "Truly best in the world, he's one of the few people that can clown prime cena, change the game with his mic work, very outspoken but to a point of getting way out of the line, I'm glad he's change for the better now, still going strong to this day, and he always show his support for the ladies"

"CM Punk is one of the most influential wrestlers of the modern era. His outspoken personality, sharp promos, and unmatched storytelling ability helped shift the industry during the "Pipebomb" era. He proved that a wrestler could break through on authenticity and attitude rather than fitting a traditional mold. Whether fans love him or hate him, his impact on wrestling is undeniable and his legacy is already cemented."