What Happened to Phillip Jack Brooks?

Phillip Jack Brooks, universally known as CM Punk, has had a career marked by both immense success and significant controversy. After a storied run in WWE that saw him become one of the longest-reigning WWE Champions of the modern era, he famously walked out in 2014 due to burnout and creative differences. His subsequent foray into mixed martial arts with the UFC, though brief and unsuccessful with a record of 0-1-0 (1 NC), showcased his willingness to pursue new challenges.

Punk made a highly anticipated return to professional wrestling in August 2021, joining All Elite Wrestling (AEW). His two-year tenure with AEW was initially met with widespread acclaim, including two reigns as AEW World Champion. However, it was ultimately marred by several controversial backstage incidents, most notably the 'Brawl Out' incident in September 2022 and a physical altercation with Jack Perry at AEW All In in August 2023. These events led to his contract termination by AEW on September 2, 2023, with AEW CEO Tony Khan citing that he felt physically threatened by Punk.

In a move that sent shockwaves through the wrestling world, CM Punk made a dramatic return to WWE at Survivor Series: WarGames in November 2023, held in his hometown of Chicago. This marked his first appearance in a WWE ring in nearly a decade and was widely considered one of the most shocking returns in WWE history. His return immediately positioned him as a top star, with plans seemingly in motion for a major match at WrestleMania 40. However, fate intervened when Punk suffered a torn triceps during the 2024 Royal Rumble match, an injury he instantly recognized and attributed to a move by Drew McIntyre. This injury required surgery and forced him to miss in-ring competition at WrestleMania 40, though he still made an appearance at the kickoff press conference.

Despite the setback, Punk's resilience saw him return to action. He signed a reported three-year deal with WWE in November 2024, solidifying his commitment to the company. In 2025, he achieved a significant milestone by winning his first WWE world title in over ten years, defeating Gunther for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam 2025. He held this title for 169 days before losing it in April 2026. Following a brief absence from television after a loss to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42, Punk was expected to return to WWE Raw in July 2026.

As of August 15, 2026, CM Punk is the Undisputed WWE Champion, having begun his third reign on July 6, 2026. He is currently advertised for a demanding schedule of 22 upcoming WWE events through October 2026, including appearances on Friday Night SmackDown, various Summer Tour live events, and an NXT live event. Notably, Punk is scheduled to appear at the WWE x AAA Worlds Collide 2026 event in Chicago on September 26, 2026, directly counter-programming AEW's annual All Out pay-per-view in the same city, a strategic move by WWE to leverage his past with AEW.