7 Greatest Champions of WWE’s Modern Era
By Ian Carey
WWE.com
5. CM Punk
Total Reigns: 5
Total Days as Champion: 622
CM Punk has been unsuccessful in his MMA career thus far, which is a stark contrast to how his pro wrestling career went.
Punk is easily the smallest guy on this list, and arguably the least “WWE” looking wrestler. Seth Rollins, amongst others, have credited CM Punk for opening doors in WWE for guys that look and wrestle a style more common on the independent circuit than in WWE.
After winning the Money in the Bank briefcase at WrestleMania XXIV, Punk cashed in on Edge to win his first championship on an episode of Raw. He would eventually have to vacate the title due to injury after being punted in the head by Randy Orton. He would then become the first wrestler to win the MITB briefcase twice when he won it again at the following year’s WrestleMania, this time cashing in on Jeff Hardy. Fans were less positive about Punk cashing in on Hardy, and his heel turn into the straight edge cult leader persona began.
Punk’s most famous title reign, the longest in the modern era, spanned 434 days. He won the title initially at Survivor Series 2011, defeating Alberto Del Rios. He would spend most of his championship reign as a babyface, and would successfully defend the belt at WrestleMania 28 against Chris Jericho.
Punk would turn heel in late 2012, beginning a program with the Rock. Finally, the Rock took the title from Punk and went on to main event WrestleMania 29 with John Cena. Something Punk was not too happy about.