For CM Punk, “Cult of Personality” is more than an entrance theme. It’s a career marker, a personal statement, and even a bargaining chip he once used against Vince McMahon. In a new interview with GQ Sports, Punk put an end to speculation that he might one day return to his earlier WWE theme, “This Fire Burns”, by sharing the story of how Living Colour’s anthem became inseparable from his identity.
The decision dates back to a pivotal contract renegotiation in 2011, when Punk’s leverage was at its peak. Knowing McMahon’s aversion to paying for licensed music, Punk turned that reluctance into his ultimate demand.
“I knew it was time to make ‘Cult of Personality’ my official theme song in WWE when I was renegotiating my contract and I knew how much Vince McMahon hated to pay for licensed music,” Punk recalled. “And I said, ‘Guess what, pal? The only way I’m re-signing is if I get this song.’ I thought he was gonna say no and I was gonna peace out and go on vacation. He said yes, and well, now here I am.” (h/t Wrestling News)
While “This Fire Burns” by Killswitch Engage provided the soundtrack to his early rise in WWE, Punk emphasized that “Cult of Personality” holds a deeper, long-standing meaning. He first used the song during his independent circuit days, well before bringing it back in the wake of his 2011 “Pipebomb” promo.
“No, I can’t, and I’m gonna tell you why, even though it’s none of your business. ‘Cult of Personality’ is iconic. ‘This Fire Burns’ is also iconic. But come on, we’re talking about Living Colour. Vernon Reid. That song’s been with me since 1989 when it came out and I was on the Little League team,” Punk explained.
For now, Punk’s focus is squarely on the present. This Saturday, he headlines the inaugural Wrestlepalooza premium live event in a mixed tag team match alongside his wife, AJ Lee, who returns to the ring for the first time in nearly a decade. Ahead of the show, Punk confirmed that while he will be in Indianapolis for the final SmackDown before the event, his role will be confined to backstage.
The reunion with Lee is clearly meaningful for him. “Having her be back in this environment with me at work is like a dream come true,” Punk said, even jokingly describing himself as the “uber, nerdiest wife guy.”
This run has firmly positioned Punk as a babyface, a role he admitted may define the rest of his career. “I don’t know if I’m ever going to be a bad guy again, ’cause it seems I’ve kind of leveled up,” he remarked, pointing to the wave of nostalgia and respect he now receives from the audience. As for the branding of this weekend’s show, Punk offered his unfiltered take: “That might actually be the first time I’ve said it. It’s a ridiculous name.”
Wrestlepalooza will showcase both Punk’s continued prominence and Lee’s long-awaited comeback, as the pair take on World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch. The match serves as both a milestone moment for Lee and the latest chapter in the year-long rivalry between Punk and Rollins that has been central to WWE programming.