Americans: why is CM Punk famous?

[billharford]

Not sure how famous CM Punk ever was. He was big in wrassling circles, but it wasn't like he was Bieber or some shit. I had only vaguely heard of him before people started talking about him trying out MMA.

 

[mkt]

Fuck me. I get Lesnar but Phil, please...

100% agree. As someone who hasn't watched fake wrasslin' in years, I didn't know who either Brock or Punk were before they did MMA. However, Brock:

1) Had a Div-1 All-American wrestling background, which gave him legitimate credentials for MMA

2) Was a huge, physical speciman. That helped sell him and helped his MMA game (size and strength aren't everything, but do matter). He was also a very good athlete, having gone through the NFL combines and played football briefly in the NFL.

3) Didn't talk much, but could play the heel very well (like after the Mir remach)

Punk has none of those things. Maybe he was a good actor in pro wrestling, but he's a complete bore in MMA. And he brings nothing to the table as far as credentials or athleticism. He may have studied some BJJ beforhand, but so have thousands of other men who are average physical specimens.

 

[BEAST]

There's a lot of retarded hillbillies in USA that loves WWE.

There are also a lot of retarded poor people around the world that love soccer.

 

[mkt]

He was the best in the world with deadly Muay Thai and strong enough to lift a 500 lb man.

On a serious note, he had everyman appeal for the exact reasons people here make fun of him - because he isn't a musclebound giant Adonis (aka a Sherdogger) and the average joe wrestling fan, especially hardcores, could relate to him.

But do people relate to him? I don't think so. I think a lot more guys relate to Roy Nelson. I remember after one of Nelson's KO's (I think it was Kongo), Rogan said "A lot of guys look like him. But not many can do what he does."

I could see myself getting destroyed in MMA just like Punk does, but that has zero appeal to me.

 

[Snolla]

He was the closest thing that the WWE has seen to the Attitude era of WWF sports entertainment. He is one of the most successful entertainment wrestlers of all time.

 

[BigMuffler]

But do people relate to him? I don't think so. I think a lot more guys relate to Roy Nelson. I remember after one of Nelson's KO's (I think it was Kongo), Rogan said "A lot of guys look like him. But not many can do what he does."

I could see myself getting destroyed in MMA just like Punk does, but that has zero appeal to me.

I was referring to relating to him in WWE not to him being destroyed in MMA lol.

 

[Destino2018]

Because he’s a bigger star than 95% of the roster. People may not like it but Pro Wrestling is a far bigger draw than UFC will ever be.

 

[Steve-French]

Because there is a part of our culture that likes Pro Wrestling and that is what he did. It's like me asking why Zindine Zidane is famous because most Americans don't watch soccer.

Love or hate pro wrestling it still takes skill. I don't watch it any more, but I still like the history. It's basically MMA's big brother. We actually wouldn't have MMA today if it wasn't for pro wrestling.

 

[sdss]

Because he was successful at something that is popular in America.

This seems like an easy answer if you think about it for like 3 seconds.

 

[613]

Most of them are just kids anyway.

Pretty sure most of them are like 40 lol

 

[Swoliosis]

I didn’t know who he was, everyone just posted gifs of him making stupid faces. He’s famous for that I guess

 

[lorenzofertatta]

There are also a lot of retarded poor people around the world that love soccer.

Sure, but what does that have to do with this thread?

 

[Krixes]

I've always wondered how this dude got popular myself. He just looks like some average 40 year old dude.

 

[BEAST]

Sure, but what does that have to do with this thread?

That things that appeal to retards are popular.
Because the world is full of them.

 

[drbolony]

Yes, we do! So, sue us!

Hey man, they just facts. Murcia!

 

[mkt]

Love or hate pro wrestling it still takes skill. I don't watch it any more, but I still like the history. It's basically MMA's big brother. We actually wouldn't have MMA today if it wasn't for pro wrestling.

It's probably part of the reason for MMA's birth and popularity. I think Bruce Lee (and a few others, but primarily Lee) popularizing martial arts in the U.S. and introducing fictional style vs. style tournaments (Enter the Dragon) is even more fundamental, though. In Japan, pro wrestling definitely gave birth to MMA, but the UFC itself isn't a direct descendent like Pancrase was.

 

[BigMuffler]

I've always wondered how this dude got popular myself. He just looks like some average 40 year old dude.

He wasn't 40 when he got popular and his average-ness was part of his appeal.

 

[KeiranMc]

WWE has gone to complete shit since the real days of Stone Cold, The Rock etc.

The real days where Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, Macho man etc.

The attitude era was after them.

 

[Taric]

I've never watched WWE but I knew who Brock Lesnar was before he came to MMA. I've also heard of John Cena, Steve Austin, The Rock, Triple H, etc.
I had never heard of CM Punk until he hit the MMA scene, so my assumption is he can't be that popular.

 

[fractal]

He wasn't a boring speaker...like at all. Not when he was performing in the WWE. Dude had some great ass promos, legit some of the best. He was a heel you loved to hate. His most remembered promo was this one. Don't remember exactly what he said. But he started going off script and going off on the wwe so much that they had to cut his mic.

Never seen that, but that's really awesome. But it's not surprising, Vince loves guys that bend over for him, and those are the ones that will always be on the marquee.