CM Punk just dropped his version of GQ’s 10 Essentials—and it’s equal parts wholesome, chaotic, and extremely on-brand.
In the new video, the WWE Superstar opened up about the ten things he absolutely cannot live without, and spoiler: his dog, Larry, is at the top of the list. In fact, Punk brought Larry’s action figure along for the ride and gave him a full unboxing. “This little man, look at him. Look how beautiful he is,” Punk said proudly. “He weighs 3,000 pounds… I have to pick him up and put him in the bed most nights.”
Punk revealed Larry was rescued from PAWS in Chicago and is named after Larry Talbot from The Wolf Man. “He’s my best friend,” Punk said. “He goes everywhere with me unless I have to get there via plane. He does not like to fly unless it’s private.”
Also high on his list of must-haves? His wedding ring and a bracelet that holds deep emotional meaning. “This bracelet… has my dog, Larry, and my wife’s initials on it. Chicago stars. This was gifted to me by a fan… When I leave my wife and my dog, I always bring this with me because it helps me mentally stay connected to them.”
Punk also shouted out Bret Hart, who he calls a mentor. “He travels in my fanny pack with me… I often will find myself in situations where I ask myself, what would Bret Hart do?”
As for practical gear, Punk’s mouthpiece and earplugs are non-negotiables for sleep and training. “If I don’t have earplugs or my mouth guard in, I feel like I’ll shatter what teeth I have left by grinding in my sleep.”
And yes, Punk still carries an iPod. “I have stuff on here that I just can’t transfer to anything else,” he said, calling it a “do not disturb” device when paired with his headphones—though that doesn’t stop fans from trying. “I used to wear the obnoxious giant headphones… and people still came up to me. Some even took them off my ears.”
He stays repping his hometown hard with a red Chicago Blackhawks hat, especially when his hair isn’t cooperating. “People used to dress like me and it freaked me out. So I switched over to the red Blackhawks hat. Reminds me of home.”
Coffee and C4 pre-workout made the list, along with Spin Drift, which Punk says helped him kick soda. “I’m the idiot with a Pepsi tattoo, mind you. I don’t drink soft drinks anymore. It’s been a decade plus.”
He also swears by his gym bags, heart rate monitors, and HOKA sneakers. “These are the most functional, comfortable shoes that I’ve ever worn in my entire life,” Punk said. “Like this is for working out, walking through airports, and running from crazy people.”
One surprise? He’s finally reading The Shining and loving it. “I’m 226 pages in. Can’t wait to see how it ends,” he joked. “Horror’s my genre… I mean, I named my dog after the Wolfman.”
CM Punk’s 10 Essentials:
What’s your favorite item from CM Punk’s essentials list? Did anything surprise you—or sound exactly like something he’d say? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.