CM Punk Opens Up On Being A ‘Pioneer’ For Independent Wrestlers In WWE

World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk has opened up on being considered a ‘pioneer’ for independent wrestlers in WWE.

CM Punk signed with WWE from Ring of Honor back in 2005, at a time when independent wrestlers were often looked down upon by the company.

Punk would go on to achieve major success in the company despite his independent background, which many believed opened the doors to more independent names signing with the company in the following years, including Bryan Danielson, Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens.

Punk is often considered a pioneer for independent stars in WWE, and he has now opened up on being considered as such.

Speaking on Unsportsmanlike with ESPN, he said:

“I’m conflicted when I talk about this stuff, because then people will point and say ‘you’re egotistical’. The truth of the matter is, the first guy through the wall gets bloodied, and I was the first guy through the wall.

“Independent wrestling was looked down upon. This is the land of the giants. I have, to the casual observer, so pretty ridiculous tattoos, but like everything else tattoos are subjective.

“I wasn’t supposed to make it as far as I did, but I would not be denied, and there are many more men and women just like that, that bet on themselves, believe in themselves, but they don’t have a look that fits a certain person’s idea of what a pro wrestler is, and that was definitely me.

“So to be able to try and always reach down and pull up the next generation; I’m not pulling the ladder up, I’m trying to help other people get here.

“I think Seth Rollins is a great example of that, he’s a guy that fit the same mold as I did, didn’t have the size, you wouldn’t look at him and be like ‘he’s a world champion’, now he’s a multiple time Heavyweight Champion and one of, it pains me to say it, one of the greatest superstars of the last 10-12 years.”

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Punk will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Balor at WWE Elimination Chamber in Chicago this weekend.