After Chris Jericho brutally attacked WWE Champion CM Punk on Raw, WWE.com has learned the champion suffered a contusion to the back of the head, according to WWE medical personnel. (WATCH EXCLUSIVE: PUNK AFTER THE ASSAULT)

Although The Straight Edge Superstar did not suffer any permanent injury, the full impact of the brutal assault on the champion is yet to be seen.

Stay with WWE.com for more.

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WEAR AND TEAR, 5:08 p.m.
The Voice of the Voiceless has paced through the corridors at Sun Life Stadium for hours. In that time, he’s received a text from The Excellence of Execution and idol of Punk’s, Bret “Hit Man” Hart. The encouragement comes in via phone call from The Hot Scot as well, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. They are two WWE Hall of Famers who competed in a legendary mat classic for the Intercontinental Title at WrestleMania VIII exactly 10 years ago. For Punk there is no greater honor than to be recognized and supported by these ring masters.

The emotions are overwhelming and the immensity of the day clearly affects the WWE Champion. His very human expression of drowsiness is easily relatable and while a mid-afternoon nap is out of the question, a boost is in order. Continue reading »

“CHAMPION OF MIAMI,” 10:33 a.m.
If you ask Punk what “CM” stands for today, it’s “Champion of Miami.” The Voice of the Voiceless is chomping down the earthy blend of green “chuice” as he sits on a bus that’s bound for Sun Life Stadium. It’s WrestleMania Sunday, which explains why the WWE Champion is, unexpectedly, fixed in the front seat of a lengthy charter bus to transport him and his fellow Superstars to the site of The Show of Shows.

“I don’t really feel the pressures or magnitude of WrestleMania until the day of,” the champion states from underneath his “1969” Chicago Cubs cap. “I’m definitely feeling it now. We’re maybe eight hours away from kicking off the show. We’re going to blow off a bunch of fireworks and then it’s really on.”

Punk seems like the type to be toward the rear of the coach (and he probably is), but his eagerness for this day plants him as close to the grand stage as possible. He’s able to get through three songs on his iPod – played at high, speaker-like volume on his neck wrapped headphones – until the very last Superstar climbs aboard: Mick Foley. It’s off to the races, or rather, the longest, hardest, greatest race of the year. Continue reading »

SOUND AND FURY, 11:40 a.m.
A treadmill hum and generic lobby music is infiltrated by muffled yet audible riffs of metal punk music. These sounds reverberate louder as WWE Champion CM Punk steps further into the hotel gym for a workout.

Hoodie and all, he gets rolling immediately on the elliptical while the sounds of This is Hell pound through his Beats headphones. It’s the morning before his match against Chris Jericho and Punk’s focus will not sway. The zipped up Straight Edge Superstar warms up and gets his heart rate moving for a more intensive training to follow. Continue reading »

STEP AND REPEAT, 9:13 a.m. 

Chris Jericho’s first morning in Miami is spent in front of a total of no less than 25 different cameras within less than an hour. Hosts and journalists from around the globe, from international networks like n-tv Germany, FX Korea and Eurosport, open up televised segments in mixed languages, then engage in casual English conversation with Jericho.

WrestleMania is the topic for the “step and repeat” setup at this media event but Jericho is sure to keep it entertaining, weaving in discussion about his roots in similar nations where wrestling is adored, where he is adulated. When addressing Japanese and German audiences, Jericho speaks about places he once called home and expresses his ties with such countries, not to mention his enthusiasm for his next return. “It’s all part of my legacy, part of my history,” The “Ayatollah of Rock ’n’ Rollah” proudly explains.
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HITTING THE GYM, 12:33 p.m.

Well after sunrise in the Sunshine State, the WWE Champion corrals a small entourage of fellow Superstars en route to the University of Miami for a rigorous training session. CM Punk has been in Miami for 24 hours, and yet his opponent is hours away from his arrival – which isn’t a shocking revelation for the titleholder.

“No, I’m not surprised. I think that’s par for the course,” Punk says. “On Twitter, it’s a little strange taking pictures of yourself in a mirror and say, ‘I’m coming for you.’ All right, I’m waiting for you.”

The Straight Edge Superstar sets aside further social media discussion. He’s been bellowing “hashtag” over fellow Superstars’ shoulders while they’re tweeting at WrestleMania week events. His focus is instead his body.

“My workout is going to include working out … not yoga,” Punk explains. “I do yoga constantly, but that’s not all I do. I incorporate other stuff into it. I don’t make ferocious faces after doing yoga, either.” Continue reading »

TAKING THE MIC, 1:32 p.m.
The opening shot of WrestleMania week is fired from the Eden Roc Hotel in Miami, where WWE Champion CM Punk collects his thoughts in front of rows of unoccupied seats prior to a live press conference streamed around the globe on WWE.com, YouTube and Facebook. Just moments before media of all kinds converge upon the event, he stands before one of his signature weapons – a microphone – leading to perhaps some consternation by WWE officials on hand. Notwithstanding the concern of corporate types, Punk assures that there will be no censorship today.

“They know that if they tell me not to do something, I’ll do it,” the champion states, bold yet honest. “They just cross their fingers and hope for the best.” Continue reading »

If you grew up watching professional wrestling like I did, then you’re well aware that Wrestlemania 28 is taking place this weekend at Sun Life Stadium — home of the Miami Dolphins.

One of the headline matches involves WWE champion CM Punk against Chris Jericho. The AFC East blog caught up with the world champ — yes, we’re well connected that way — to get his take on various topics.

Punk shares his thoughts on Wrestlemania, potentially walking to the Octagon in Brazil with UFC middleweight Chael Sonnen, and Dolphins stud center Mike Pouncey forming a tag team with his twin brother, Maurkice.

CM Punk, a year ago at this time, considering your contract situation with WWE, did you think you would be in this spot, defending the world title at Wrestlemania 28?

CM Punk: No, because I was leaving. At Wrestlemania last year — and I always say I thrive in high-pressure situations — my job was to steal the show and prove to everybody how awesome I was and what an amazing talent they were losing. I went out there with Randy [Orton] and we put on, in my opinion, the best match on the show of pure wrestling. I wasn’t concerned about what I was doing next year. I was leaving in my mind. I didn’t think I would still be here or holding the title.

At what point did that mentality shift? Did the pen have to hit the paper for you to finally realize you were staying in WWE?

Punk: Yes, absolutely. I didn’t re-sign until middle of July, I think. It was actually the day of [the Money in the Bank Pay Per View], I believe. It was after the show even started. So it was down to the wire.  Continue reading »

This Sunday, April 1, beginning at 7:00 PM EST on pay-per-view, WWE presents the pinnacle of its year when WrestleMania XXVIII brings the world’s greatest gladiators together for the Showcase of the Immortals. Three days later on Wednesday, April 4, the two most powerful factions in the Marvel Universe kick off a war of their own as AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #1 hits stands and the Marvel Comics app.

Up first, WWE Champion CM Punk, who will put his title on the line against Chris Jericho coming up Sunday, spoke up about his impending match, WrestleMania memories, belief in Captain America, plus much more, including his kinship to Tony Stark.To get set for both of these monumental collisions, we got some of WWE’s biggest Superstars and Fightin’ Fanboys to comment on their dates with destiny at WrestleMania as well as what they see coming to pass in AvX. Continue reading »

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WWE Champion CM Punk sounds off on life, family, friends, co-workers and his film aspirations.

Vince McMahon: “(We) have a lot more one-on-one conversations. I wont say he takes the time to talk to me now, because he always did, but I think he views me differently now. He used to view me as maybe talking to a boy. Now he thinks he’s talking to a man after I stood up and did everything I did over the summer. I always thought I was a main event player. The difference is now he knows I’m a main event player.”

The Rock: “I don’t think I have a realtionship with The Rock. Over the past few weeks, it’s been better. Probably because I’ve been outspoken (about him) in the media. Of course, everything gets sensationalized and twisted. I don’t hate The Rock or fault him for coming back. I just think heaping credit on The Rock for ratings, buyrates – that’s where I get offended. It’s a team effort 365 days a year. Me and the entire locker room bust our (butts) and all our super stoked. Give credit where credit is due. Wrestlemania had a huge buyrate last year, not because of one guy. The numbers out there prove he hasn’t done much else, like the Survivor Series buyrate.” Continue reading »