“Just when they think they’ve got the answers, I change…the culture.” CM Punk shocked the world, sort of, by appearing on FS1 studio show “WWE Backstage” on Tuesday night.
Punk promised he’d be back “next week,” and now Fox Sports has officially announced that the former WWE Superstar has joined “the roster” of the series as “a special contributor and analyst.”
Phil Brooks, Punk’s real name, will make select appearances in studio alongside host Renee Young and analyst Booker T, according to Fox Sports. Other regular contributors are fellow former WWE wrestlers Christian and Paige. Ryan Satin is the show’s news correspondent.
Punk, one of the most beloved WWE Superstars of all time, also had one of the most infamous falling-outs with the company ever. Since then, Brooks has mainly focused on his mixed martial arts career, which has not been a particularly successful one. Meanwhile, rebellious WWE fans still chant his in-ring name at live shows.
Bonus: Watch the video below to remember the magic of one of Punk’s final promos during his WWE tenure.
Yes, it’s the “pipebomb” promo from the June 27, 2011 “Monday Night Raw.” Current movie stars John Cena and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson got it particularly bad in this one.
Every WWE Champion Ever, Ranked by Number of Reigns (Photos)
Pro-wrestling championship belts change hands (or waists) like grapplers change ring gear these days, though it wasn't always that way. Bobby Lashley is the current WWE Championship after an incredibly short-lived reign by The Miz. It is Lashley's first-ever stint as WWE Champion, and it comes at a cool time: a month and change ahead of WrestleMania 37.
Scroll through our gallery to see every WWE Champion ever, ranked by their number(s) of title wins. Remember: this is a list of those who won the WWWF Championship, the WWF Championship or the WWE Championship. So don't come after us, Universal Champions, et al.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: Jinder Mahal # of Reigns: 1
Shortly before this publishing, the "Modern-Day Maharaja" dropped the title to A.J. Styles, ending a somewhat confusing run right before the WWE went to India.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: John "Bradshaw" Layfield # of Reigns: 1
JBL has taken his heel persona from the ring to the announce table. Never without a cowboy hat, Layfield thankfully leaves his lariat clothesline at home.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: The Ultimate Warrior # of Reigns: 1
The muscle-bound maniac who handed Hulk Hogan his first-ever "WrestleMania" loss died after suffering a heart attack three days after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: Pedro Morales # of Reigns: 1
History lesson: Back in the WWWF days, Morales became the first guy in wrestling history to win all three of the major men's titles -- the WWF Championship, the Intercontinental Championship and the WWF Tag Team Championship -- in the company.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: Bobby Lashley # of Reigns: 1
Rank: 16 (tie) Wrestler: The Miz # of Reigns: 2
The kid from "The Real World" made good on his over-the-top MTV promos. One of the best on the mic, Miz has been holding down the Intercontinental Championship more than any other Superstar of the past few years.
Rank: 16 (tie) Wrestler: Bob Backlund # of Reigns: 2
Backlund couldn't "Make Darren Young Great Again" -- or even keep the guy employed -- but the master of the cross-face chicken wing had a pretty incredible career of his own.
From Buddy Rogers to Bobby Lashley, here are all the guys from the old WWWF and WWF days — and beyond
Pro-wrestling championship belts change hands (or waists) like grapplers change ring gear these days, though it wasn't always that way. Bobby Lashley is the current WWE Championship after an incredibly short-lived reign by The Miz. It is Lashley's first-ever stint as WWE Champion, and it comes at a cool time: a month and change ahead of WrestleMania 37.
Scroll through our gallery to see every WWE Champion ever, ranked by their number(s) of title wins. Remember: this is a list of those who won the WWWF Championship, the WWF Championship or the WWE Championship. So don't come after us, Universal Champions, et al.
