Picture Credit: CM Punk and AJ Lee (Instagram and X)
CM Punk’s return to WWE at Survivor Series 2023 made big waves, making it one of the biggest comebacks in WWE history. It was seemingly impossible at one point because of his deteriorated relationship with WWE. In real life, he has a trouble-free relationship with his spouse, unlike his tumultuous WWE journey.
The Best in the World is currently married to the former WWE star and Divas Champion, AJ Lee. Their dramatic wedding took place on the Punk and was fired from WWE in 2014. Remaining married for a decade, they are a couple’s goal for other wrestlers who also pursue a romantic relationship from this business. CM Punk and AJ Lee are one of the most distinguished couples in professional wrestling, despite the latter’s prolonged absence from the ring for almost ten years.
What places them among wrestling’s power couples? Explore the possible reasons why.
5) Impressive achievements
There are only a few couples in professional wrestling whose resumes together are as remarkable as the iconic duo of Punk and Lee. Although not a Grand Slam Champion yet, he is a five-time world champion, including his record-breaking 434-day title reigns that turned out to be the PG Era’s longest reign.
He is a former Intercontinental Champion, Tag Team Champion, and ECW Champion. He has two Money in the Bank wins to his record, helping him acquire his maiden world title. Over and above all, the Chicago native is a box office draw, remaining in the hearts of WWE fans years after his departure because the fans would seldom chant his name in different arenas.
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In the same way, his wife AJ Lee’s title tally was awesome-inspiring in the Divas Era. The 37-year-old accumulated three divas titles to her name, becoming one of the accomplished champions. Out of her three reigns, the first one was the lengthiest, spanning 295 days. Their title collection is fabulous as a couple.
4) Led a revolution
CM Punk and AJ Lee wrestled simultaneously around the same time, remaining part of the same locker room. The Best in the World in the early 2010s was a dissenter, rising against the injustice of WWE corporates, both off and on the screen. It led to the infamous Piper bomb promo.
His significant influence made the era prosperous, establishing Punk as a big name aside from John Cena. Due to his talent, he was given a main event. AJ Lee, on the other hand, possessed a similar impact in the women’s division, making them a match made in heaven.
AJ wrestled in the Divas era, a time that was focused on the looks of women over talent, resulting in short matches lasting only a few minutes. However, AJ Lee was instrumental in its evolution. Her proficiency in both mic and ring work made a bright example of how a top diva should be. She ignited the initial transformation in the WWE women’s division. Together, the couple brought a new movement in wrestling irrespective of looks or size, excelling through talent.
3) Became an inspiration for the new generation
Not many wrestling couples have collectively inspired the next generations through talent and hard work. Today, both CM Punk and AJ Lee stand as inspirations to millions of the upcoming generations who grew up watching them wrestle in the 2010s.
For example, the former NXT Women’s Champion, Cora Jade, and the current champion, Roxanne Perez, consider Punk and Lee as their inspirations, spending childhood watching the iconic couple. Following the Second City Reign’s return to WWE, they established a solid bond with him, calling him the ‘wrestling dad.
Punk’s courageous mind of speaking the truth and standing up for what’s right touched millions making them his fans. On the other hand, hundreds of aspiring female talents still look up to AJ Lee as their hero in the ring.
2) The Longevity of the marriage
Staying on the road for the majority of the year, seeing wrestlers falling in love is a common occurrence. While some culminate in marriage, some don’t. Miss Elizabeth and Macho Man Randy Savage, Beth Phoenix and Edge, The Undertaker, Michelle McCool, Bryan Danielson, and Brie Bella are some steady and strong marriages in the wrestling community.
Likewise, Punk and AJ have been wed for more than a decade, having each other’s back through highs and lows, making them the epitome of a perfect match. The former WWE Champion, unfortunately, lost his job on the wedding day, facing a shaky start early on.
Then Punk endured an embarrassing run during UFC, losing both MMA fights comprehensively. His AEW run was also dismal due to a couple of controversies. Regardless of his career challenges, AJ Lee has supported him through thick and thin.
1) Success Beyond WWE
CM Punk and AJ Lee reached the height of their fame in WWE, attaining the highest honors of the promotion. Unlike a majority of wrestlers, the power couple’s popularity didn’t fade away after departing the Stamford-based promotion.
Seeing CM Punk’s fame, UFC signed him, hoping to bring more eyeballs to the sport, similar to the signing of Brock Lesnar. Even though he failed in the octagon, he was still the headliner for his reputation from the squared circle. Additionally, he became a writer, authoring a handful of characters for Marvel Comics. Bearing in mind Punk’s profound impact on AEW, he garnered the most ratings in their history.
Lee’s career outside the ring has been remarkable in the past ten years. Advocating for mental health, her book became one of the New York Times bestsellers, inspiring a myriad of people who were struggling with mental health. Akin to her husband, she contributed as a comic book writer, notably for DC Comics
As an individual wrestler, their talent, determination, and passion for the craft of professional wrestling are unmatched. In the early 2010s, the couple was fortunate enough to share the ring, showing brief romance on the screen. If AJ Lee decides to return to the ring again, taking into account that she is only 37 years old, they could perform as a couple, competing in some dream mixed tag team matches.
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Avik Das is an English Literature graduate with an experience of over six years as a professional writer. He has written for renowned publications such as The Sportster, Sportskeeda, Pinkvilla, and The Things