Phillip Jack Brooks, better known by his ring name CM Punk, is an American professional wrestler and actor who has made a significant impact on the wrestling world. Born on October 26, 1978, in Chicago, Illinois, Punk is renowned for his outspoken and confrontational straight edge persona, which draws from his real-life experiences. He is celebrated as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, having achieved remarkable success in various wrestling promotions, most notably in WWE, where he became the longest-reigning WWE Champion in the modern era.

Punk's journey into the world of professional wrestling began in 1997 on the independent circuit. He gained further recognition after signing with Ring of Honor (ROH) in 2002, where he captured the ROH World Championship and was later inducted into the ROH Hall of Fame in 2022. His charisma and exceptional in-ring skills quickly garnered attention, leading to his signing with WWE in 2005. During his time with WWE, Punk's career flourished; he won the WWE Championship twice, the World Heavyweight Championship three times, the ECW Championship, the Intercontinental Championship, and the World Tag Team Championship once each. He made history by winning the Money in the Bank ladder match in both 2008 and 2009, becoming the only wrestler to achieve back-to-back victories. His accomplishments earned him accolades, including the Superstar of the Year award at the 2011 Slammy Awards and the distinction of PWI Wrestler of the Year in both 2011 and 2012.

In 2014, Punk's relationship with WWE soured, leading to his abrupt departure from the company. He briefly retired from wrestling but made a triumphant return in 2021 when he joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW). During his tenure with AEW, Punk captured the AEW World Championship twice, solidifying his status as a top competitor. However, his time in AEW was marred by backstage controversies, resulting in his firing in September 2023. Just two months later, Punk returned to WWE, where he has since headlined multiple major pay-per-view and livestreaming events, including the high-profile WrestleMania 41 – Night 1, and has won the World Heavyweight Championship twice in his record-tying second reign.

Outside of wrestling, Punk ventured into mixed martial arts, joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) as a welterweight. His professional debut came in 2016 at UFC 203, where he lost via submission to Mickey Gall. He faced another defeat in his second fight against Mike Jackson, which was later overturned to a no contest. After these experiences in the octagon, Punk officially retired from MMA in August 2021. He also appeared as a pundit on WWE Backstage from 2019 to 2020 and has served as a part-time color commentator for Cage Fury Fighting Championships since 2018. In addition to his wrestling career, Punk has acted in several films, including the horror features Rabid, Girl on the Third Floor, and Jakob's Wife, as well as in the wrestling drama series Heels from 2021 to 2023.

With a career that spans decades and a legacy that continues to evolve, CM Punk remains a compelling figure in both the wrestling and entertainment industries, known for his authenticity, resilience, and dedication to his craft.