The members of the MTV Newsroom are enthusiastic about a number of different entertainment avenues. Music, obviously, tops that list. Movies are right up there, of course. Sports are important, as are art galleries and theatrical performances. And then there are also a handful of us who quite enjoy professional wrestling. That’s why we couldn’t let the day go by without wishing CM Punk, one of the best performers currently working on the WWE circuit, an extremely happy birthday. The man born Phillip Brooks turns 32 years old today.

Punk is notable for a number of reasons. He doesn’t have a traditional professional wrestling look (he is obviously in good shape but would never be mistaken for a professional bodybuilder the way stars like John Cena or Triple H might) and has a totally unique character (he is straight edge, a lifestyle he actually subscribes to in real life). Despite all the piercings, tattoos and crazy hair choices, Punk has managed to ascend to the top of the heap both within the WWE (he has been a world champion four times) and among wrestling fans (he won 2009 Best Feud of the Year in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter). He has had some of the most incredible matches of the modern era, including an incredible series of matches with Samoa Joe in Ring of Honor, a pair of victories in Money in the Bank encounters and a nutty TLC match with Jeff Hardy.

Punk has often talked about his love for music (MTV News’ own Kyle Anderson actually interviewed him for a story about music in Spin magazine a few years ago), and his taste runs pretty (his entrance music is by Killswitch Engage). He also said that the first band he ever got totally obsessed over was Rancid, which is why we celebrate his birthday with a little “Ruby Soho.”