A long CM Punk interview

[Guest bob_barron]

CM Punk, The Next Step

Interview by Al Lagattolla

CM Punk will be realizing one of his career dreams when he leaves for Japan this week for a two-week tour with Zero-One. He's already got a full schedule and he will be leaving Chicago soon to become the trainer at Ring of Honor's training school on the East Coast.

 

Punk sat down with Chicagowrestling.com's Al Lagattolla - at Punk's apartment in Chicago - to talk about Japan, Ring of Honor, IWA MidSouth, NWA-TNA, Revolution Championship Wrestling, the Lunatic Wrestling Federation and his future.

 

Among the highlights:

 

Punk no longer will work for IWA.

 

He would rather have beginners as students in ROH than those who already have trained.

 

He's angry that the LWF continues to bring up his name at its shows.

 

He thinks Jim Cornette had a point in his rant against the IWA but also believes IWA isn't as bad as Cornette says.

 

Harley Race "could beat up 20 guys."

 

He's grateful to Eddy Guerrero and Raven for their roles in his success.

 

 

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HEADING TO JAPAN

AL: When does your Zero-One tour begin?

 

PUNK: Originally, I was supposed to leave on the 3rd (of August), and I was happy with that. I was going to be able to make the IWA show and the RCW show. But I'm leaving the 28th (of July), which is Monday, and my first show is on the 30th.

 

AL: How long are you supposed to be with them?

 

PUNK: Two weeks. I come back on the 11th of August. I think I have 8-10 shows. Only a partial lineup has been released on the Internet, so I don't know exactly what I'm doing yet.

 

AL: Do you know who your first match is against?

 

PUNK: Tagging with CW Anderson against (Naohiro) Hoshikawa and Ikuto Hidaka. That is very cool, since I'm already friends with Hidaka and that'll make it a little easier.

 

AL: How long have you been talking with them?

 

PUNK: I haven't really been talking to them. I was approached by the GAEA women's federation about doing their GAEA boys project thing. And it seemed a little weird to me, it seemed like I would be a sideshow to the women like Aja Kong. I didn't want to jeopardize any standing with any fed over there. I have been friends with (Steve) Corino for a while and friends with Low-Ki and others who are over there. I never ask for a handout, but I'll ask for advice. I talked to Samoa Joe, Chris Daniels and Corino about what they thought of the whole GAEA thing. Corino said (Shinsuke) Nakamura from Zero-One didn't think it would be a good idea from somebody of "my talent" - that's a quote - to go work for GAEA, because I'd be viewed in a negative light. So that was cool with me. I didn't ask for anything from Zero-One or Corino. I work hard and I don't want a handout. I see everybody bug Corino about that. He books flights for the Americans, but he has to get word from the office. I guess he took my "Best of" tape that his sister had, he took it to Japan on the tour before last. I guess the office liked it, and now I'm booked along with Josh Daniels from the East Coast.

 

AL: I'm sure you're familiar with Zero-One.

 

PUNK: Zero-One is the more entertainment-based company there, where New Japan does the shoot style and All-Japan is traditional Japanese wrestling. Zero-One combines a lot of styles. They do all kinds of stuff. There are the Zero-One USA shows. They have tremendous talent. Everybody over there is great. I know they want to fill out their junior heavyweight roster, which is thumbs-up for me. I suppose I am a junior.

 

AL: Two weeks is the first tour, what are the chances of going back?

 

PUNK: I would love to go back. I don't really have an itinerary, but I know Corino's kid, Colby, is coming with us. On our days off we may be visiting amusement parks. I'm going to try to get to the dojo as much as I can. I want to learn as much as I possibly can.

 

AL: What are your expectations out there?

 

PUNK: I'm already familiar with all the workers, since I watch all the tapes, so there's no worries there. Since I found out I was going, I've already gotten phone calls from Michael Shane, Paul London and Low-Ki, I'll ask them what should I pack. I'm really looking forward to it. I've been waiting for this for a long time. This has always been my goal. A lot of people say they get into the business to go to the WWF, but I've always wanted to go to Japan. I'm doing it for a very good company, and I'm very proud to carry the Zero-One banner.

 

AL: I'm sure you realize there are people out there who - as soon as you step foot in Japan - will look at you in a totally different way.

 

PUNK: It's weird. I've been dealing with that since I've been doing the pay-per-views. It's strange how I'm viewed in a different light just because I wrestle in Nashville on Wednesday nights. Everybody is all over the Internet saying I'm going to Japan, which is cool.

 

AL: Zero-One is where you're going. Is there anywhere else out there you've targeted?

 

PUNK: I've always thought Zero-One was a very good place. They use a lot of American talent, and they use a lot of American talent correctly. There's no other place I'd rather go. The triple crown champion is (Shinya) Hashimoto, a Zero-One guy. I'm not trying to be biased, but I think it's the hottest company in Japan.

 

AL: What kind of doors could this possibly open that are not open now - considering that this already is one of the doors that's opening?

 

PUNK: That's a good question. There is still a lot of junk going on with me that I don't want to talk about. Some doors are slightly open. Unless I get hurt - knock on wood - only good things are going to happen for me. 2003 has been my best year.

 

AL: Have you reached the point where pro wrestling is your only job?

 

PUNK: Yeah, I am. I think a lot of people have put me in a category with Christopher Daniels and AJ Styles, and that's great company. This is what we do. My job is wrestling. I send out anywhere between 12-15 tapes a week, I'm constantly in the gym working out. I wrestle every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. This is all I do. It's a lot of travel, but I would have it no other way.

 

AL: A big issue even in the WWE is whether people can handle that kind of schedule. Recently, there is the example of Jeff Hardy and the thought that he was burned out. Is that any kind of risk for you?

 

PUNK: I'm not in the WWE and things are a lot different there than people realize. You get paid when you sign a contract, and you really don't get more than what you signed up for. And it's not like WCW, where Ted Turner paid for everything. You pay for your meals, your rental cars and hotels. At the end of a week, doing house shows and TV, I can see how a guy can get really burned out. Then you can go home and spend maybe a day with your family, and you do it all over again. It's not like I'm really attached to anything. It's funny, I'm the busiest I've ever been. For years, I didn't have a girlfriend. Now I do. But everything is great. It's a lot better than I expected. I was worried with her doing her thing and me doing mine, but she's so rad and understanding. That's another cool thing that's happened in my life. No, I'm not going to be burned out. There's no way. If I feel like I'm getting burned out, I'll just take a nap.

 

AL: You're the guy who had the streak.

 

PUNK: Yeah, there is no way I'll be burned out. I want to see how it goes in Japan. Sure, it's a different culture and everything, but I like seafood. I'm pretty sure I'll be fine.

 

 

 

"I'M DONE WITH IWA"

 

AL: To switch to some things closer to home. IWA MidSouth, is that still a possibility, or are you done with them?

 

PUNK: I'm done with IWA. I haven't talked to Ian (Rotten) yet, but we've played phone tag. He knows I'm going to Zero-One. He just left me a message congratulating me, and while I'm driving (to his next show) I'll call him back. I disagree with a lot that Ian does, business-wise. I like Ian, and I don't want that to change. The best thing I can do is bow out and not work IWA anymore. I don't want to argue with him. It's his show and he can run it the way he does, but some of the stuff he does is a real slap in the face to the guys who bust their ass and work really hard for him. Instead of getting into a big personal battle with him, I'll leave it with that. I did want to go to the King of the Death Match - I had a lot of fun doing commentary on that last year - but I got booked in Japan and I'm not going to say no to that.

 

AL: There have been criticisms out there. People will say you backed out on this show or that show, but does Japan pretty much take precedence over anything else?

 

PUNK: I haven't even gone yet, and there's always the chance I'll never go again. That's why I'm bringing 26 disposable cameras with me so there is proof I was actually there. I'd say yeah, it's Japan and I won't say no to Corino. But definitely, my top priority besides Japan is Ring of Honor.

 

AL: Is the Primetime Wrestling thing (Punk was named the Peotone-based fed's trainer earlier this year, but the fed has not run a show this year), is that over?

 

PUNK: As far as I know. They called me up one day and told me they lost their building, and on their last day, they wanted to have Brandon (Bishop) teach it, and I understand, he was there from the beginning. They told me they were done.

 

AL: How many times did you actually train with them?

 

PUNK: It was a handful of times.

 

AL: I didn't want to get off the subject of IWA. I know you and Ian were close and it's been said he had a lot to do with you being able to have your streak (83 consecutive weekends worked before a skull fracture last year ended it). The problems aren't personal?

 

PUNK: I'll tell you what it is, it's him working with CZW. I don't have anything against CZW, but there were a lot of guys working for Ian who wanted to work in CZW and Ian told them you can't do that. He took the lightweight belt off somebody because he wanted to work at CZW, but now it's OK for guys to work at CZW because Ian is. And it's not benefitting any of the young guys. They won't learn anything over there. I'm cool with Trent Acid and I'm cool with Johnny Kashmere. I'm friends with B Boy. I don't want to pigeon-hole CZW. I have friends who are there. But there are guys Ian booked, and I think he should have asked Chris Hero if it was cool. The last time Hero was in CZW, these guys beat him up and jobbed him out, and that was disrespectful. Hero was Ian's top guy. He moved there for Ian. He doesn't work other feds (out of loyalty) for Ian. He works for Ian every weekend, and I think that's a bad business decision. Morale in the locker room is the shits right now. That's why, instead of me getting into a fight ... it's his show, he can do what he wants.

 

 

 

"I THINK CORNETTE IS RIGHT, BUT I ALSO THINK CORNETTE IS WRONG"

 

AL: Did you see Jim Cornette's comments on the IWA?

 

PUNK: Yes.

 

AL: Any thoughts?

 

PUNK: I think Cornette is right, but I also think Cornette is wrong. He's been in the business a long time, so he's not some delusional goof. He's got a point. Plus, back in the day, when the whole Ian-Cornette feud started, it was because Ian got pro wrestling shitcanned out of every VFW hall in Kentucky because of all the blood and lightbulbs. That is when Ian's entire show was blood and guts. Obviously, me, Cabana and Hero helped change that. They still have the main-event death matches and the death match tournaments. Cornette is going based on Ian taking money out of Cornette's pockets, because Ian fucked it up for all the promoters in Kentucky. That's why he started running in Indiana. So the heat those two have is their heat. I see Cornette's point. I don't think a lot of the stuff that happens at King of the Death is wrestling. It's not. Two guys lock up, and one guy is already bleeding. Then you throw him on the floor and start hitting him with stuff the fans brought. That's not wrestling. Sometimes, I've seen death matches that get built up with all the plunder and the furniture and all that. I see his point. But to say IWA is complete garbage, that's obviously a lie. I wrestled Eddy Guerrero there. He's going based on what happened in the past. I see his point, though.

 

AL: You'll probably see him once you head out east. Have you met Cornette?

 

PUNK: No, I've never met Cornette. I was looking forward to working with him in Ohio for Ring of Honor, but I'll be in Japan.

 

AL: How did the Ring of Honor wrestling school thing happen (Punk was named the head trainer for the ROH school)?

 

PUNK: I think it was April 12, I worked BJ Whitmer. The next night I was hanging out with the boys at the PWF show. I jokingly walked up to (Rob) Feinstein and said something about giving me a job. I'll sit in his office and stuff envelopes. He looked at me and asked if I was serious. I said, well, no. But he told me about the idea of the wrestling school. I sat on it for a few months and then I thought it was the best thing for me to do. I can get the fuck out of here (Chicago), even though I love this city. But my cost of living goes down. I'll get to wrestle every day. I'll be teaching people, and when you teach people, you learn more yourself. At the last Boston show, I told him I would do it. It was on the Internet in 5 minutes.

 

AL: It wasn't like he started going down a list, or anything?

 

PUNK: I'm sure they thought about other people. But I was at the right place at the right time. They just laid it on me.

 

AL: Does the Japan trip affect that?

 

PUNK: It does affect it. If I become a Zero-One regular, if I'm out there two weeks out of every month, then I can't give the kids everything they deserve, especially if they're paying their money. I'm going to do it, but we're looking at different options if I end up going there on a frequent basis.

 

AL: Will you have the option of having Ace (Steel) to help you out?

 

PUNK: Ace has his own stuff going on. He has some stuff on the horizon that you'll want to interview him about.

 

AL: Japan?

 

PUNK: I don't know.

 

AL: Is it going to be hard to move out East? Have you ever lived anywhere except for Chicago?

 

PUNK: No, I was born and raised in Chicago. I think it'll be hard. I'll miss Chez and Ace and (Vic) Capri. I will miss the city. I'll be living in the middle of nowhere, I can't drive around in the city like I do right now. But I've got lots of friends out there. It's not like I'll be lonely. Plus I'll be coming out here for RCW (Revolution Championship Wrestling). That's still definitely on. I love working for RCW. I've already talked to (Jay) Repsel about it.

 

AL: When is your next RCW show?

 

PUNK: Aug. 31.

 

AL: At the strip club.

 

PUNK: Yes, with Jasmine St. Hooker. That will be so much fun.

 

AL: Ring of Honor means something to some people. People will call it the workrate capital of the United States. What do you see at Ring of Honor. Do you buy into the whole, "this is different" thing?

 

PUNK: Ring of Honor uses all of the best guys in the world. Workrate capital, yeah. But the amazing thing is that me and Raven have been conditioning fans to fall in love with pro wrestling. There was a time - with the handshake thing and this isn't sports entertainment and blah, blah - the fans could have shit all over a match with me and Raven. But we've built it up. It's been fucking genius. They are going crazy for pro wrestling again. You get everything at a Ring of Honor show now. You get me and Raven, you get Low-Ki and Christopher Daniels. I think Ring of Honor is special. Somebody asked me the other day if I thought it could be the next ECW. It really could. But it's not like they've got guys under contract. Paul London just got yanked. Lucy just got yanked. To keep guys around, that's the biggest problem. It's probably their only problem. Production values are awesome. It's without a doubt the #1 indy. No one even comes close. It's great on tape and even better live.

 

AL: They're headed to Ohio. How much longer before they come here to Chicago? Is that something you have any knowledge of?

 

PUNK: They've been wanting to come here and that's something I was helping with, but it's a pain in the ass to find a venue. In finding that venue, it's going to be another pain in the ass to make sure another promoter doesn't screw me out of it, and I use the term promoter loosely. Chicago is ridiculous. If they ran Chicago, they'd draw 2 grand, easy. People are drawing 60 people and they say it's because of the scene. No, it's because they suck. I will tell it like it is. Every Chicago promotion fucking sucks.

 

AL: I would assume you're not counting RCW in that?

 

PUNK: No, RCW runs in LaSalle. I think RCW draws a decent crowd. I think a lot of people in Chicago go to RCW, because they can't see anything decent around here.

 

AL: The Ring of Honor as the next ECW is something people bring up. What can you do? Do you have any ideas? What does Ring of Honor need to do, do they need to sign people to contracts?

 

PUNK: I don't know if that's even possible. I guess if that's what they needed to do, the bottom line would be money. They are in the business of selling tapes. People on the Internet hate them, but they are smart guys. They don't spread themselves too thin and they're in the business of selling tapes. They do what they have to do to make sure those tapes sell. The budget for the shows is insane. I'm sure they've made a little money, but all the ticket sales are probably going to the boys. If they wanted to become the next ECW - and I hate saying that - is it's money.

 

AL: AJ Styles did an interview with noholdsbarred where he said something like they could become that if they had national TV.

 

PUNK: National exposure. That's what you need.

 

AL: That's what has people believing in TNA. Even if paying for a weekly pay-per-view is out of most people's budgets, at least you could watch it. What about TNA, are you happy with the way things are going there?

 

PUNK: Very happy. A lot of people will e-mail me and say, "I wish you were in an X Division match." Fuck that. I don't want to be in an X Division match. Look what they did with Ace, completely lost him in the shuffle. And there are a lot of X Division guys who are 10 times better than me. I would rather be working with everybody else. They put me in a storyline, and that's the greatest feeling in the world. Instead of those matches where there are 14 guys in a match and you just go out and have a car wreck, I was in a storyline. I've done interviews. That shows they believe in me. They tell me I'm talented. I can learn from so many people. I will ask Jeff Jarrett why we should do things a certain way and he will sit me down and explain. I don't care if people think I'm stupid. It's always good. I am learning. I work Raven twice every weekend and see him every Wednesday. Raven is the boss and he helps me out tremendously.

 

AL: But that again, I'm sure, depends on Japan.

 

PUNK: Everything hinges on Japan. They didn't know I was leaving for Japan until Wednesday, but the new guy - Bill Banks - used to work with the WWF and he's real cool with me. He said, "You're leaving for Japan, right?" I said yes. He asked when I was leaving. I said Monday. So he said "So you can't be in the House of Horrors match." I said no. I went up to Jarrett and I told him. He asked how many Wednesdays I'd be gone. I said two. He said, so you'll be back on the 13th (of August). I said yes. He's like fine, have fun, be safe, congratulations, stay healthy and say hello to the boys for me. I have to do what I have to do, and they know that.

 

AL: They've probably had to do the same thing.

 

PUNK: They've all been there. A lot of the guys have been fired and rehired in the WWF and WCW. They know you have to do what you have to do.

 

AL: Do you think the pay-per-view format is good? Have you ever bought it yourself, for instance?

 

PUNK: I don't even have cable, but I've gone to friends' houses to watch it. When I was off for two weeks - when I got hit with the fireball from Jim Mitchell - I watched it. I was involved in that stuff, and that was weird. Julio Dinero's cutting a promo and they're showing still shots of the fireball. That was really cool.

 

AL: Major League Wrestling gets out on TV. You're doing one thing with Raven there and something totally different in TNA. Most fans are savvy enough to know what's going on. Add to that the Ring of Honor stuff. It's probably safe to say Raven has had a pretty big hand in what you're doing these days.

 

PUNK: It was his idea. I had a powwow with Raven and Vince Russo. Raven was like, "I've worked this kid all over. He can do this. He can do that." We can do this, and that, and this. Raven has given me a huge rub, and I appreciate it.

 

AL: What are you doing now that you weren't doing when they first looked at you?

 

 

 

"I'M WAITING FOR (TNA) TO GIVE ME THE MICROPHONE. THEN ALL HELL IS GOING TO BREAK LOOSE IN NASHVILLE."

 

PUNK: TNA? I've got Raven putting me over. Disco putting me over. It's not always what you know, sometimes it's who you know. I'm not being plugged into random X Division matches. I'm in stories. I'm waiting for them to give me the microphone, then all hell is going to break loose in Nashville. They can see the acting and the promos.

 

AL: When you do get the microphone, do you know what you're going to say?

 

PUNK: No. I never know what I'm going to say. Thinking about what I'm going to say in a promo is useless. That's not how you talk. When you came here in this interview, I didn't know what I was going to say to you. I don't rehearse any of my promos.

 

AL: Is there anything you can't say?

 

PUNK: I don't like to swear in my promos anyway. I can be more clever. I don't need that.

 

AL: The whole straight-edge thing, I think it really got played up last weekend (at Ring of Honor, Punk had beer poured on him).

 

PUNK: I always have (played it up). Somebody finally took notice. Raven thinks it's tremendous. Tommy Dreamer didn't think it'd be over. He was sitting in the locker room saying, "Why would anyone care if they dump beer on you?" I was like, I don't drink. He said, I don't drink either. But I said, this is my entire gimmick. He kept saying it isn't going to work. After we got back to the locker room, Tommy said he couldn't believe that reaction. Those people flipped out. It's never been done, and it's not just my character. It's my life. God forbid if anyone steals that and puts it on TV. I'd kill someone.

 

AL: It's one thing to say you don't drink, it's another thing to tattoo it on you.

 

PUNK: It's on my knuckles, on my stomach. A lot of people don't want to believe that it's true. I get people ask me questions all the time. Then there are the assholes, "What about Pepsi, caffeine is a drug." It's never been done before, and that's what pro wrestling is missing. New ideas.

 

AL: If you make it and it becomes what it could be, people will be watching you all the time, thinking they see a beer in your hands.

 

PUNK: At the last Ring of Honor show, I was wandering around with a mini bottle of shampoo and a mini bottle of conditioner. I was in my towel, looking for a shower. I had to get through the crowd. I was covered in blood and I had beer all over me. I showered and all that, and I get on the Internet and two days later I read someone wrote, "I saw CM Punk walking around with a pack of cigarettes." That's tremendous. It makes me feel like I'm a superstar. It's hilarious.

 

AL: Is straight edge something you've always been.

 

PUNK: I've never drank, never done drugs, never smoked. When I was 15, I decided I was never going to do those things. I labeled myself straight edge. It just keeps me ahead of the stuff.

 

AL: So is there some kind of membership or anything?

 

PUNK: No, even though I'll tell Jimmy Rave there's some kind of form he has to fill out and I can ask the committee if he'll be allowed to be in. No, it's not like that. It's a personal choice. Anybody who is being straight edge because of me is doing it for the wrong reasons. You have to do it for yourself.

 

AL: Back to Chicago. You said you'll be back in RCW. How often do you think you'll work for them?

 

PUNK: One of the good things about RCW is they run the first weekend of every month. So I know that and unless I'm in Japan or Ring of Honor, I will say no to anybody else.

 

AL: So it's a second priority behind Ring of Honor?

 

PUNK: I would say yes.

 

AL: What do you like about RCW?

 

PUNK: I think they're getting away from this, but they need to realize what makes them special is they don't use everybody else people in Chicago use. That's the way it is. You can't see CM Punk work anywhere else (in Chicago) except an MCW show, and I'm not working for Brian Zenner anymore. And he's only run two shows in the last year. They need to use original talent. Nobody wants to see the same guys on every single fucking show. They'll use Jimmy Jacobs from Michigan. They'll use Ace. Everybody is in cohesive stories. I like Bill E. Valentine and you can't see him anywhere else.

 

AL: And he's not afraid to fly people in.

 

PUNK: Yeah, they'll fly in Vito (Thomaselli, who now lives in California). And people come to see him. They'll sell a lot of booze.

 

AL: I guess that makes you optimistic that you'll be flown in, since there's already a precedent to flying guys in.

 

PUNK: I've already talked to him about it.

 

AL: Can they emerge, could they make money in Chicago?

 

PUNK: Sure, they just need to advertise. That's all. That's another big thing about Chicago feds. They don't understand why they only draw 60 people. Well, the dumb fucks don't understand only 60 people are going to their websites, and those are the 60 people at their shows. It's common sense. People in Chicago don't have common sense. Some people have no business running shows. They really don't understand, they weren't schooled in the wrestling business. They'll blow you off and tell you they've been in it for 10 years or some fucking bullshit.

 

AL: Ian had problems drawing for a little bit, even if he had some of the best guys in the world.

 

PUNK: He doesn't advertise. I was surprised he had so many people there in Morris (last year, IWA's show in Illinois drew well despite a major snowstorm). You can't just advertise on a website.

 

AL: Some people just read about it, that doesn't mean they're going to a show. If IWA ever comes back to Chicago, would you work there then? Is it just something on principle?

 

PUNK: I didn't want to do the Ted Petty this year anyway. I don't see the point. I've been in all of them. Let someone else have the spot. Plus it's going to be a three-way dance in the final anyway and I'm not interested in that.

 

AL: You've talked about two numbers - 60 people and 10 years. So you've got to be talking about the (Lunatic Wrestling Federation). They say they're going to take some time off. Does that mean anything to you?

 

 

 

"THE FACT THEY (THE LWF) KEEP MENTIONING MY NAME AT THEIR SHOWS PISSES ME OFF."

 

PUNK: No. But the fact they keep mentioning my name at their shows pisses me off. I read that on your website - somebody did a review of their show. And to read that they said, "the LWF had Chicago's hometown hero, CM Punk, who has become an international superstar" that's fucking ignorant. They should mind their own business. I don't count my time in the LWF as time in the business. It's nothing against them personally. I just chatted with Billy Whack the other day on the computer and he told me he was thinking about hanging it up. But people need to understand, Billy Whack will talk about somebody else and say "that guy doesn't belong in the business because, blah, blah, blah." There's your first mistake. Worry about yourself before you criticize anybody else. People think Billy Whack doesn't belong in the business. Just because they drew 1,000 people however many years ago ... Anything I did yesterday doesn't matter. Tomorrow is the day I have to wake up to. It's frustrating that they mention my name and they try live off my hard work. That really pisses me off. A lot.

 

AL: To the point where you'll never work there again?

 

PUNK: There is no reason to work there. They can't afford me anyway at this point.

 

AL: If they came to you and said it was their last show ever ...

 

PUNK: I would just say good. That would be it.

 

AL: I'm sure you don't want to talk about what Ace has going on. But can we expect to see him at RCW the next couple of shows?

 

PUNK: I believe so. He'll be at the show on Aug. 2. I'm pretty sure he'll be there on the 31st.

 

AL: What about Vic Capri?

 

 

 

"I JUST WANT (VIC CAPRI) TO BE HEALTHY AND LIVE, SO WHEN I DIE, HE CAN GO TO MY FUNERAL."

 

PUNK: If he comes back, I'll beat the shit out of him. He's done, and he's at ease with it this time. He has a couple of head problems. I just want him to be healthy and live, so when I die, he can go to my funeral. He's done. It's not even a sore subject. He's cool with it and I'm cool with it. He's got a lot to live for.

 

AL: He didn't get that last match he wanted and I'm sure that was a hard thing.

 

PUNK: That's life. Shit doesn't always work out the way you want it to. At least he's alive.

 

AL: You keep in contact with him?

 

PUNK: I just got done working out with him. He should stop blowing me off sometimes to go work out, though.

 

AL: So he'll probably keep going to the gym.

 

PUNK: Sure, it's what he does. Maybe he doesn't have the same reason to stay in shape. If I couldn't wrestle anymore, I'd go to the gym, too. Maybe I wouldn't do all the cardio I do, but I enjoy going to the gym. It's fun.

 

AL: I've never seen your old, old LWF stuff. People tell me you changed a lot appearance-wise. Did you lose a lot of weight?

 

PUNK: When I started wrestling I weighed 220 pounds, and a lot of that was fat. There was a three-month spell where I did 45 minutes of power cardio a day and I ate cans of tuna and that was it. I was crabby and miserable and it was horrible. I was falling asleep at work. I got down to 180 and now I'm up to 203 pounds and 11% body fat. So yay for me. Maybe I'll release the CM Punk workout tape.

 

AL: I wanted to talk about your relationship with a couple of people. Danny Dominion.

 

 

 

"I DON'T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH DANNY DOMINION."

 

PUNK: I don't have a relationship with Danny Dominion.

 

AL: How was your last match against him?

 

PUNK: It was a bit of a comedy match. I thought it was funny for what it was. I didn't have a desire to really work him. I've seen the stuff he says on the Internet, but then in the locker room he says, "We really worked those people." I don't know if he's lying. He did give me a chair shot and he protected me, so it's not all that bad. Shit's been said and shit's been done and I have no desire to hang out with him again. Shit got way out of hand. Shit he does now, he's a different person. I don't want to have any part of how he makes his living.

 

AL: I don't really have an idea of what exactly you're talking about.

 

PUNK: Draw your own conclusions.

 

AL: Colt Cabana. How close is he to making it? Is he anywhere near a spot on TNA?

 

PUNK: You'd have to ask him. People think me and Cabana are really tight like we used to be, but we're not. There was a period where there was tension between me and him. Now it's died down. The stuff we do in Ring of Honor is hilarious. I think we're better friends now than we were 3 months ago. I heard a rumor he might be going to Mexico, which would be cool. But I can't really say.

 

AL: Dave Prazak. I know he's been doing dark matches in TNA. Are you guys still close?

 

PUNK: Totally. Prazak and Bob Ryder have been friends for 10 years, so every time Bob Ryder sees Dave Prazak, it's comedy. It's always good to see Prazak at TNA. He's the closest thing to Bobby Heenan independent wrestling has. He manages like a wrestler and he wrestles like a manager. If people don't understand what that means, it's too damn bad. Figure it out.

 

AL: Could he make it?

 

PUNK: I think so. He's one of those guys who would not only be on TV, but he'd be helping out with TV stuff or interviews, promo spots. Dave Prazak is a terrific hand. No one in wrestling has driven more for less. He just loves it. He goes to IWA shows just to do commentary. He can be a ring announcer. He can be in a match and wrestle. It won't be tremendous, but he can do it. Dave Prazak is underutilized. It's just a matter that male managers are a dying breed. Unfortunately, it's true.

 

AL: Chris Hero. His career has been a pretty interesting thing. What do you think of what he is right now, and what he can be?

 

PUNK: I think Hero is untapped potential. He's a tremendous wrestler. He knows a lot, and he wants to continue to learn. He doesn't have a bad attitude. What he needs to do is work out and tan, and that's basically it. That's what I did a few years ago. Look at me now. He needs to look like a wrestler, and hopefully soon he will. He's only going to get better now.

 

AL: Jay Repsel. Does he have what it takes to carry RCW?

 

PUNK: I'm not so sure he wants to. He might just be doing it for fun. Jay's a great guy. He drinks too much, but a lot of people do. You hear rumors about him not being with RCW, but then that's another company from LaSalle starting those rumors. He loves it. He started off as a fan and he still is. He'll say a lot that he doesn't know shit.

 

AL: Is it good that he gets himself involved in matches? He is trained, correct?

 

PUNK: He puts himself under, which is good. It's not like he's putting himself over. He went over on Sandman because Sandman won't come to somebody's show and say he's not jobbing. Hak puts people over, that's what he does. But Jay is trying to tone down his involvement.

 

AL: With your straight edge thing ... you must have a friendship with Sandman. Does the whole straight edge thing conflict with the people in the business - like him - who obviously aren't straight edge?

 

 

 

"I'M STRAIGHT EDGE FOR ME ... I DON'T FORCE IT ON ANBODY ELSE."

 

PUNK: No. I'm straight edge for me, that's my decision. I don't force it on anybody else. And they know what I am, and they don't try to force anything on me. It works. I guess it's like AJ Styles is very religious. I watch my GDs around AJ and he doesn't make me smoke crack. It's a wonderful relationship.

 

AL: What about Low-Ki? What are his chances of becoming a household name? He's already "made" it.

 

PUNK: Me and Low-Ki are a lot alike in some ways. He thinks the same way I do, he would rather make his career in Japan. A lot of my favorite wrestlers were superstars in Japan: Bruiser Brody, Stan Hansen, Detroyer, Dynamite Kid ... they were icons in Japan. Corino is well on his way to being the next one to make his name in Japan that way.

 

Low-Ki is the same way, he's so over already. I don't know how much desire he has to become a household name in the states. It's the best of both worlds, if you think about it. If I become a household name in Japan, I could still come here and go out for ice cream without people fucking with me. It works out.

 

AL: Low-Ki has very specific goals. I know one goal he had was he wanted to be a character on a wrestling video game.

 

PUNK: Yes. So do I. And I would like an action figure made of myself, too.

 

AL: Is there any chance of that happening? Is TNA going to market any kind of video game or action figures?

 

PUNK: They are working on a video game. There were people there last Wednesday. You never know what's going to happen in Japan. They are big on merchandising. We will wait and see.

 

AL: There is no actual CM Punk action figure.

 

PUNK: There's the one up there (points to a shelf at his apartment) that a fan made for me. That's it. Nothing mass produced.

 

AL: Are there any other goals like that in mind. Low-Ki actually has them listed on his website.

 

PUNK: I'm too lazy to do that. I'm sure I've got more, I just have to think about them. I mean, I almost headlined a pay-per-view the other day. That didn't dawn on me until the other day. And it's not like it's WrestleMania, but how many people have done that? When new opportunities pop up, new goals arise. It's constantly changing, but yeah, I would definitely like an action figure and to be in a video game.

 

AL: Brian Zenner, you mention you're not working for him anymore. Why is that?

 

 

 

"BRIAN ZENNER PROBABLY DOESN'T THINK CM PUNK IS WORTH A PLANE TICKET."

 

PUNK: I'm moving. Brian Zenner probably doesn't think CM Punk is worth a plane ticket. But also, when he and Ed Chuman started working together ... Ed has packets for paid shows. He can present a package with a tape, a presentation. Zenner took his packet, took Chuman's name off everything and put Brian Zenner's name on it. That's fucking wrong. Admit you ripped him off. Don't just say you don't want to work with him because he didn't bring anything to the table. The next bunch of shows are all paid shows because he ripped off Chuman's gimmick.

 

AL: Did Chuman have a lot to do with getting the local guys looks from NWA-TNA?

 

PUNK: I'm sure he did. He had a lot to do with me and Ace working that last MCW show, too. We were there for Ed.

 

AL: Ed is another guy, how long have you known him?

 

PUNK: I've known him a couple of years. He wants me to work more often for him in surrounding states, but I'm moving and it's going to be really hard.

 

AL: Another guy from the Domain, Eric Priest, do you run across him often?

 

PUNK: I saw him at Rockford, but that was the first time I saw him in months. I haven't seen a whole lot of him, but he's doing really good.

 

AL: Does he have a chance?

 

PUNK: He doesn't think like that. He's got a wife, he's got a house, he's got a job. He's focused on that.

 

AL: You can't have a wife and a family and a job if you're going to make it?

 

 

 

"SOMEBODY ASKED ME THE OTHER DAY WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A PRO WRESTLER ... I TOLD HIM, GET RID OF YOUR WIFE."

 

PUNK: No. Somebody asked me the other day what it takes to be a pro wrestler. He had a wedding ring on. I told him, get rid of your wife. It's not going to work. When I first started - traveling through hell and creation - I had a girlfriend and that's what broke us up.

 

AL: But you have a girlfriend now.

 

PUNK: Right. But I'm also not doing a Minnesota shot on a Thursday, driving to IWA on Friday, going to Michigan on Saturday and Ohio on Sunday.

 

AL: You said you talked to Billy Whack the other day, are you guys on any kind of terms right now?

 

PUNK: No. No, I've got nothing.

 

AL: The match in Revolution with Acid was supposed to happen two or three times. Is that ever going to happen?

 

PUNK: I would like to say yes. It was gonna happen on the 2nd, and then I went to Japan. It's my fault. I'm sure he understands. ... But I'm not going to stop working for RCW, so eventually it will happen.

 

AL: Do you think he's improved in the last year?

 

PUNK: He has improved his body. I used to think he had an attitude, but he really doesn't. I think he's got a house, too. Priorities change for people. This is all I've wanted to do. Others may think this is a hobby. They may not be willing to make the sacrifices I've made.

 

AL: Acid has been out to California and Donovan Morgan and Mike Modest said they want him to move out there. Does it take that sometimes, that you have to get away, like Vito did?

 

PUNK: Sometimes you need a change of scenery, but you take into account that they run a training school, and he would be paying them money. I don't want to put a damper on that, it's an awesome invite, but they want his money. They are businessmen. They would say the same to me.

 

AL: At Ring of Honor, would your focus be on beginning students, or would you target guys like him looking for an edge?

 

PUNK: The entire thing is completely up to me. I want to do beginners. I don't want anyone to undermine what I'm doing. I want to teach them from scratch. Ace ran Harley Race's fantasy camp with Ricky Steamboat this past weekend. There were some goofs from Minnesota there. Now you think you pay the money to learn from Ricky Steamboat, and Ace showed a kid something and the kid was like, no I learned it this way. What the fuck did you pay the money for if you're going to say I'm wrong? I want all newbies.

 

AL: At Primetime, how did that go?

 

PUNK: They would say, Brandon did it this way, and I do respect Brandon. But I think a lot of the stuff he did was a little weird. But if they wanted to do it the way Brandon did it, then that's OK.

 

AL: Is the way you train similiar to the way Ace taught?

 

PUNK: A lot of the way I'm going to go about it is the way I learned. But then I've worked with Eddy Guerrero, Steve Regal, Fit Finlay, Dave Taylor. I will incorporate what I saw when I went through my WWE tryouts. Everything gets jelled into one. It's not like I'm the only one running that. It's got to be the best place to learn how to work, because you've got access to Samoa Joe, Chris Daniels, everybody. There is no reason I wouldn't bring in Doug Williams a day early to do a camp on the British style. But Ace taught me fundamentals, and that's what I'm going to go by.

 

AL: Christopher Daniels. What do you think of what he has become, the way he has been able to adapt and change?

 

PUNK: Daniels could work a sandwich and it's be a good match. Every time me and him get in the ring, it's special. We don't waste the time we have in the ring together. We put together something really good. That's going to be the next big feud in Ring of Honor. The Raven thing was supposed to be over by now, but they love it so much, they keep wanting more.

 

AL: Raven is a guy who has been through a lot. I'm sure he's got a lot to teach someone who is willing to listen. What does he tell you that benefits you most?

 

PUNK: Raven doesn't teach moves or how to chain wrestle. He helps me with psychology and the political side of this. "Why would you do that kid, you're an idiot?" I hear that a lot from him, and he's right. I take everything he says to heart.

 

AL: At TNA, the CM Punk you see there is different than the CM Punk you see in LaSalle or the East Coast. Is there any chance we will see that CM Punk in TNA? I don't think they're going to let you use your music or anything.

 

PUNK: No, it's pay-per-view, and they could be sued. But eventually, you will see CM Punk, the big asshole you're used to seeing.

 

AL: Is Japan going to see that CM Punk?

 

PUNK: Of course. If I just did my whole thing, why would people care? OK I don't do drugs, who cares? But people see me every week and they get to like me, and then let's say I turn on Raven. Then I'm all over him about being drug free, it'll be a riot in Nashville. ... People have to get used to seeing my face. The best babyface is a heel that's turned, and vice-versa. I could get a mild reaction with a heel, but it's better if they get to love me and I stab them right in the heart.

 

AL: You mentioned the X Division. I'm sure the reason they have those big matches is to look at everybody. Do you embrace the concept of the X Division?

 

PUNK: It's a great idea, yes. There are a lot of good cruiserweight guys out there, but it's TV and you don't have a lot of time. That's what hinders it.

 

AL:They do get criticized for not using their time wisely, though. Do you watch their shows and consider yourself entertained. And I'm sure you're not going to say you don't, when you want to work for them.

 

PUNK: I think their shows are amazingly entertaining. Seriously. It's not just the same guys every week. You see a variety. To me, that's interesting.

 

AL: If you are in a position - maybe Raven's position - to have the power and influence to help people, could you bring in guys you believe in? It sounds like it could happen in Ring of Honor.

 

PUNK: It already kinda does. The original plan was to slowly bring in Cabana, but I got the whole Cabana thing was hot-shotted. And they said, who else from the Midwest is good? So I got Ace booked and Whitmer booked, and now Whitmer is all over. I got Jimmy Jacobs and Alex Shelly booked. I want to help people who are willing to work hard for it, and Jimmy Jacobs is definitely one of those people. I used to hate the kid, because he was a fucking goof, but he works out now.

 

AL: The first time I saw him at RCW, I got one impression, but then I saw him on an IWA tape and it was totally different. How did he improve?

 

PUNK: Repsel doesn't use Jimmy Jacobs correctly, and I've already told him that. Jimmy Jacobs shouldn't be wrestling Machine. Nobody's going to learn anything in that position, and it's not going to be good. And Jimmy Jacobs is a singles guy. Look at his stuff in IWA, it's off the wall.

 

AL: Another guy who works in RCW, who also was in LWF and worked in IWA - Ryan Boz. Has he become a better wrestler?

 

PUNK: He has become better. He's got a ways to go. That's the whole point of wrestling, to learn and get better. And he wants to. That's always the first step - saying you don't know and you want to learn. It's better than saying you don't need to do this or that. Boz has got potential, but he's got a lot to learn.

 

AL: Was IWA a place where if you worked there, you got a stamp of approval?

 

 

 

"I'LL GET PEEVED IF ANYBODY SAYS IWA IS THE PROMOTION THAT MADE ME ... CM PUNK DIDN'T MAKE IWA, AND IWA CERTAINLY DIDN'T MAKE CM PUNK."

 

PUNK: IWA has a bad reputation, but you got to get the most out of the situation. I'll get peeved if somebody says IWA is the promotion that made me. That isn't true. I was working for IWA and a million other feds. Ian, just being smart, booked me with names and I learned from them, but he did that for his product, not solely for me. He did what he had to do to make his product better, and I did what I had to do to become a better wrestler. CM Punk didn't make IWA and IWA certainly didn't make CM Punk.

 

AL: Of all the matches you've had in 2003, what are some of your highlights?

 

PUNK: Me and Hero, 93 minutes. Me and Homicide in Pittsburgh. A great tag match, me and Cabana against BJ Whitmer and Raven, an awesome tag match.

 

AL: In the Hero match, that's your second Iron Man match, is that something you intend to do every year?

 

PUNK: I make no promises. But I never say never, either.

 

AL: You know it's going to be 90 minutes, how do you keep people's attention for 90 minutes?

 

PUNK: We did it. We planned the finishes and we just wrestled, an athletic contest. We took everything we ever learned from anybody and just worked. I could read him like a book, and vice-versa. It's just a matter of two guys who love and respect each other, who know each other. I heard 45 minutes gone and 45 minutes left ... I couldn't believe that much time had passed. We know it's 2 out of 3 falls with a 93-minute time limit, and everybody is going to know that match is going to go 93 minutes. How are we going to approach it? It worked. We tried to wear each other down.

 

AL: You mentioned him, the whole looking like a wrestler thing. And he has lost a lot of weight. But the Chris Hero from last year, I would not identify him as a guy who would be a good candidate to go 93 minutes, but he's done it twice. Was it hard for him, hard for you?

 

PUNK: He has good cardio. He did the match right after he lost 40 pounds, so it was a lot easier for him. But some guys just have got good cardio. Dick Murdoch didn't have the best body, but he could go. Adrian Adonis was a fat fucking pig, but he was one of the best workers of all time. It's just a matter of breathing.

 

AL: You had a chance to visit with Harley Race a few times. He's one of the biggest names in wrestling history, what did you learn from him?

 

PUNK: Harley is a man's man. If there were 20 dudes about to kick my ass and I could call one person, it'd be Harley Race. He would kick the shit out of 20 people. He is the toughest man I've ever met in my life. I feel bad for anyone who thinks he's an old man. He's the strongest son of a bitch I've ever seen. Play a test of strength with him sometime. Being around Harley is fun. He loves this business. He treats me like I'm his kid, and that's an honor.

 

AL: You were able to meet Eddy Guerrero, and learning from him is an opportunity anyone would love. What have you learned from him?

 

PUNK: I learned it's not how many moves you do in a match, it's how you do them, where you put them, how you sell them. A lot of guys just want to get their moves in. But if you can't do something, don't do it. I learn from watching Eddy. It's a tremendous show of respect for Eddy Guerrero and Fit Finlay, Fit Finlay was in the ring with other people and wouldn't let them have anything. I get tagged in and he's bumping for me. The agents are like, why is he selling for this kid? He respects me, and that means the world to me.

 

AL: Is there a lot of teaching that goes on in those sessions?

 

PUNK: Yes, and there is a lot of yelling and a lot of screaming about how they want things done and how believable things need to be. Unless you are a complete moron - and I've seen that happen, they'll tell you to get out of the ring. Everybody gets nitpicked, but I learned a lot working out with Benjamin and Haas, and they still get nitpicked, too. It's always a great learning experience.

 

AL: Being there in front of so many people has got to be something else, too. What's the biggest crowd you've worked in front of, and do you think Japan will change that?

 

PUNK: When I did the Smackdown with the Road Warriors, I don't know how many were there, however many thousands. I couldn't even guess. There were 1,200 people at the Ring of Honor show, and we had them up and down like a roller coaster, it was amazing. They were expecting something big, and we hit a home run that night. But the biggest crowd was at Smackdown, against the Road Warriors.

 

AL: What was that like?

 

PUNK: That was great. The first person they see is me, and I took full advantage. Sgt. Slaughter looked at me and said, go make them hate you. I could do that with just a facial expression. When the Road Warriors' music hit, they just went crazy. They didn't expect to see them. They were selling for me and the crowd couldn't believe it. They were really behind them. I'd put that in my best matches of 2003.

 

AL: Taking the title off you in Revolution, did that have anything to do with him knowing you might be unavailable at some point?

 

PUNK: It had something to do with an angle that never went anywhere, partly because I'm not going to be there on the 2nd, and that's unfortunate. That's just how it goes.

 

AL: Is there anyone there who can be on TNA, make the next step?

 

PUNK: Who am I to say? I do get a kick out of seeing hard work, not some guy who thinks he's a fucking superstar. There is a bit of that in RCW, unfortunately, but it's like that everywhere you go. I don't think I'm a superstar, I'm just trying to eat.

[Chunk 0]

I think you've been beaten to posting this Bob. Look at the older threads. A good interview none the less though.

[Guest JAxlMorrison]

Hey, thanks alot for posting this. A very, very interesting read!

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

thanx 4 the post, great read!!!!

[Guest bort]

thanks alot for posting this. really good interview. nice and long , he gives alot of detail and such

[Guest Lord of The Curry]

"I watch my GD's around AJ and he doesn't make me smoke crack. It's a wonderful relationship."

 

That's fucking gold.

[Guest Markingout]

"I think it was April 12, I worked BJ Whitmer. The next night I was hanging out with the boys at the PWF show. I jokingly walked up to (Rob) Feinstein and said something about giving me a job. I'll sit in his office and stuff envelopes. He looked at me and asked if I was serious. I said, well, no."

 

LMAO,Punk is great. Reading all this interview I have alot more respect for Punk,and I know where he is coming from.

 

Awesome interview

[Rendclaw 0]

That was one of the better interviews I have read this year.