During a recent episode of Pardon My Take, WWE star CM Punk shared his reasoning behind using the phrase Six Grandfathers instead of the usual Mount Rushmore when referring to wrestling legends. Punk expressed that selecting four icons is difficult and preferred the number six, drawing parallels to how athletes are ranked differently across sports over time.
I’m gonna cheat. I’m gonna be a really annoying — I’m sure somebody’ll call me a liberal cuck — I like to say Six Grandfathers instead of Rushmore. Four is hard! And to me, it’s interesting because in sports, if in the ’60s, you said ‘Give me your top four baseball players?’ it’s infinitely easier than 2025, right? Same with football, same with hockey.
— CM Punk
Why Bret Hart Earned the Top Spot on Punk’s List
CM Punk selected Bret Hart as the foremost member of his six wrestling grandfathers, valuing his overall excellence. Although Hart faced criticism for his microphone skills, Punk emphasized his authenticity and consistency in the ring, rating him a perfect “10 out of 10” for what he represented.
This is why some people love me and why some people hate me: the top six pro wrestlers of all time? Man, it’s still pretty hard. Bret Hart. In terms of just overall to me, he’s like a 10 out of 10 at everything. People can give him flak for not maybe having the best mic skills, but for who he was and what he was trying to accomplish, Bret was always Bret.
— CM Punk
Other Wrestling Legends Included in the Six Grandfathers
Punk also named Terry Funk, Harley Race, Roddy Piper, and Eddie Guerrero as part of his distinguished list. He acknowledged the challenge of narrowing down his picks, noting that other wrestlers like Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, and Dusty Rhodes are commonly discussed as top contenders.
That’s five. It’s hard, right? Everyone normally says like, you know, [Ric] Flair, Shawn Michaels is a good pick, Dusty’s another good pick.
— CM Punk
Thoughts on Logan Paul’s Wrestling Potential Compared to Historical Figures
When asked whether Logan Paul should be added to this list of wrestling greats, Punk recognized Paul’s rapid skill acquisition but stressed his own perspective as a wrestling history enthusiast. He ultimately favored Dusty Rhodes as the sixth member, making a final and confident assertion.
Very, very, very good, very skilled, picked it up very fast, but you’re talking to a wrestling history buff. I think Dusty is a very – I think Dusty [Rhodes] is a very good pick. Yeah, Dusty, six; six with a bullet.
— CM Punk
Significance of Punk’s Six Grandfathers and Their Impact on Wrestling
CM Punk’s designation of his “Six Grandfathers” highlights important figures who shaped professional wrestling’s legacy and resonates with fans by avoiding oversimplification. This nuanced list invites reflection on how wrestling heroes are chosen and suggests the evolving nature of the sport’s history. Punk’s insider perspective may influence how future generations view wrestling’s greatest contributors.
