Growing up in Chicago, the Extremist’s childhood consisted of watching the likes of “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and Jimmy Snuka exchange words, then blows. Such heated rivalries helped Punk realize that sports-entertainment was where he belonged. Adopting the “straightedge” movement—in which one bases their life around personal development, and avoids drugs, alcohol and a dependency lifestyle--Punk has brought his own style to ECW.

Although the Extremist is part of ECW’s New Breed, his style is an assimilation of fighting styles he has learned from his travels around the world including Muay Thai Kickboxing and Brazilian Jujitsu. In his WWE pay-per-view debut as a part of Team DX, Punk brought down the house in Philadelphia where fans showed their respect for his talents. With reactions all over the world like in Philly, CM Punk’s star-power will only grow stronger within the realms of ECW.