WWE Superstar CM Punk recently shared his list of the greatest wrestlers of all time during an appearance on the Pardon My Take Podcast. His selections highlight figures he personally worked with, emphasizing the connections he formed throughout his career that shaped his perspective on wrestling greatness. The topic of CM Punk Greatest Wrestlers drew attention as he mentioned legends like Bret Hart, Harley Race, Roddy Piper, Dusty Rhodes, Terry Funk, and Eddie Guerrero.
Exploring CM Punk’s Picks for Wrestling Legends
CM Punk’s list of wrestling icons includes several notable names, each representing a different era and style. Punk highlighted eight-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race, the charismatic ’80s stars Roddy Piper and Dusty Rhodes, the hardcore legend Terry Funk, and the beloved Eddie Guerrero. These competitors not only earned respect in the ring but also crossed paths directly with Punk during his career.
The history connecting Punk with these wrestlers adds depth to his choices. For example, in 2001, during a Mid-American Wrestling event, Punk had the rare opportunity to compete in a match officiated by Harley Race as a special guest referee. Bret Hart, WWE Hall of Famer, also served as a guest referee in two of Punk’s matches during 2011, including a televised bout on WWE RAW against John Cena and Rey Mysterio.
Terry Funk and Punk clashed in three notable matches, two in the early period of TNA Wrestling and one at Ring of Honor’s Glory By Honor II event in 2003. Their encounters showcased Funk’s legendary hardcore style and Punk’s emerging versatility in the ring. Similarly, Punk and Roddy Piper shared an in-ring moment as participants in the 2008 Royal Rumble match, while Dusty Rhodes faced Punk at the 2005 WrestleReunion event alongside his son Dustin Rhodes and Mike Graham.
Finally, Eddie Guerrero played a significant role in Punk’s professional development. After Guerrero’s WWE release in 2001, he teamed with Punk on the independent wrestling circuit in promotions such as International Wrestling Cartel and IWA Mid-South. Between these promotions, they competed in five matches, during which Guerrero imparted valuable insights about the wrestling business, deeply influencing Punk’s approach to the sport.
Upcoming Match for CM Punk and AJ Lee at Wrestlepalooza
Looking ahead, CM Punk is scheduled to take part in a high-profile tag team match at Wrestlepalooza on Saturday, September 20. He will join forces with his wife, AJ Lee, to face WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch. This match carries significant weight due to the ongoing rivalry between Punk and Rollins.
The tension escalated at SummerSlam when Punk briefly held the World Heavyweight Title before Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to claim it. Since then, both Rollins and Becky Lynch have been dominant adversaries for Punk. However, with AJ Lee now by his side, Punk is positioned to present a more formidable challenge in this upcoming event.
“It’s interesting how Punk has a connection to each of his picks.” – Unattributed
“Rollins has been the bane of Punk’s existence for some time now.” – Unattributed
