Prior to joining WWE, CM Punk wrestled extensively on the independent wrestling circuit gaining a cult following and a reputation of someone to look out for in the future. WWE acknowledged this and signed him to a developmental contract. Punk was sent to WWE’s development facility, Ohio Valley Wrestling and after some time there he joined the ECW roster in July 2006. Turning heads with his eye-catching and unique muay thai and kickboxing wrestling style and his ‘straight edged’ lifestyle, Punk soon climbed up the ladder in ECW.

He was undefeated for six months on ECW and made his first PPV appearance at Survivor Series 2006 teaming up with DX and The Hardys. Just one week later Punk was part of the Extreme Elimination Chamber Match at ECW: December to Dismember but came up short in his quest to become ECW Champion. But that would not detract Punk who went onto qualify for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania 23, only just being knocked off the ladder in the closing stages of the match. Punk was then asked to join the New Breed stable of wrestlers by leader Elijah Burke and although he originally accepted Punk revealed it was all a ruse and the two battled at Judgment Day 2007. Punk then went after the ECW Championship and battled champion John Morrison firstly for the vacant title at Vengeance 2007, then again at The Great American Bash 2007 and at SummerSlam 2007. However, each time Morrison seemed to sneak out the victory using every dirty trick in the book. Punk, though was still on a mission to become champion and in a ‘last chance match’ on an episode of ECW, Punk finally defeated Morrison for the ECW Championship with his finishing manoeuvre the Go To Sleep. CM Punk again went on an undefeated streak and defeated Burke at Unforgiven 2007, Big Daddy V at No Mercy 2007 and The Miz at Cyber Sunday 2007. Punk was a proud champion and even beat two tag team partners, The Miz & John Morrison in a Triple Threat Match at Survivor Series 2007. However, in January 2008 on an episode of ECW Chavo Guerrero defeated Punk for the ECW Championship after interference from Edge.

Punk wouldn’t stay out of the limelight for long though because at WrestleMania 24 he won the Money in the Bank Ladder Match to win the briefcase and the guaranteed title shot at a time of his choosing. Soon after he entered the tri-branded King of the Ring tournament on Monday Night Raw and after a tremendous showing he was defeated in the final. This opened up a lot of eyes to Punk’s potential and in the 2008 WWE Draft, Punk was drafted from ECW to Raw. In his first appearance on Raw, he took advantage of a beaten down Edge by cashing in his Money in the Bank contract and pinning Edge to become the new World Heavyweight Champion. The WWE was turned on its head and the Raw brand had a new face. Defending the title successfully against behemoths like Batista at The Great American Bash 2008 and JBL at SummerSlam 2008, CM Punk gained a lot of respect and a whole new fan base. By losing the World Heavyweight Championship by forfeit after being attacked by Randy Orton and his cronies, Punk will not rest until revenge is served.