CM Punk Reveals the Story Behind His Iconic Photo With Steve Austin

If you’ve been a wrestling fan long enough, you’ve probably come across a legendary photo of a young CM Punk, donning a look reminiscent of Eminem, standing with none other than Stone Cold Steve Austin. The image, taken during Austin’s time in WWE and before Punk’s rise to wrestling stardom, has been circulating the internet for years, sparking curiosity and nostalgia.

In an interview on No Contest Wrestling with O’Shea Jackson Jr. and TJ Jefferson, CM Punk opened up about the origin of this now-iconic moment.

“I’m a smart wrestling fan, proudly wrestling in backyards, and gaining a reputation in the Chicagoland area,” Punk recalled. “All the wrestlers would stay at the Clarion Hotel next to the Rosemont Horizon, which is the Allstate Arena now. I think we dipped in there, Steve saw me, and he’s like, ‘Hey kid. Can I get a picture with you?’ [laughs]. I’m just kidding. Me and my friends were just a bunch of dumb kids, ‘Oh, the wrestlers hang out here? Let’s go hang out with wrestlers.'”

Punk shared how surreal it was to find himself underage and sitting at the hotel bar, surrounded by wrestling stars. “We’re ordering pizza. ‘Come get pizza.’ Wrestlers are like, ‘Free pizza.’ We’re delighted to just be rubbing elbows with these guys. There are probably a million other pictures from that day, but the me and Steve Austin one has become famous,” he added.

According to Punk, the photo first appeared in his 2011 WWE documentary and has since become a part of internet lore, serving as a reminder of his journey from fan to wrestling superstar.