Rey Mysterio beat CM Punk, shaved his head and apparently decided the hair was worth keeping. More than 16 years later, part of Punk’s hair is still sitting inside a Ziploc bag in Mysterio’s collection.
While speaking to MuscleManMalcolm, Mysterio looked back on his memorable 2010 WWE rivalry with Punk. Before they became bitter enemies on WWE television, Rey had already shared a ring with Punk and Eddie Guerrero on the independent scene.
“It was awesome, man. The fact that I was able to work with CM Punk and to see how much he had come so far when we worked at that point. You know, prior to me being part of WWE and Eddie had just gotten released, we did a three-way match, Eddie, Punk, and myself, you know, in the indie scene.”
By the time WWE put them together for a singles program, Mysterio had watched Punk develop into a completely different performer with his own loyal following.
“So to see that match and then forward, I don’t know, eight, nine years, 10 years, and to have a singles match with Punk and to see his growth and how he had his particular fan base that supported him was a really fun moment.”
Mysterio still has plenty of respect for what Punk eventually became. Even after everything they did to each other during that rivalry, Rey said getting in the ring with him was also a learning experience.
“It was a really good learning moment for me because look where he’s at now. He’s so damn good, man. And I enjoy stepping in the ring with him every time.”
Then came the part of their feud that Rey literally took home with him. Mysterio defeated Punk at Over the Limit 2010 in a Straight Edge Society pledge vs. Hair Match. That gave Rey the right to shave Punk’s head, and he revealed that some of what came off never ended up in the trash.
“It was very fun being able to shave his hair. I actually still have part of his hair in a little Ziploc bag with the date on it, which is what we would do back in Mexico.”
Keeping Punk’s hair wasn’t Rey randomly deciding to save a strange souvenir. He explained that the practice comes from Mexican wrestling tradition and something he learned from his late uncle, where the spoils from Hair vs. Hair and mask matches were preserved.
“If you won a mask or you won a Hair versus another opponent, you would save, at least I learned this from my uncle, rest in peace. I would put the hair in a little Ziploc bag, put a tape over it, and then I would put the date of the match, who I wrestled, and it’s there.”
As for where Punk’s hair has spent the last 16 years, Mysterio has a place for that too. He revealed that the bag is kept inside a photo album alongside other pieces of his wrestling history.
“I have a photo album. And everything’s there, yes.”
The Second City Saint eventually grew his hair back, but Rey never threw the old stuff away. Sixteen years after winning the right to shave him bald, Mysterio still has the evidence tucked away and dated.
What do you make of Rey Mysterio still having CM Punk’s hair from their 2010 WWE feud? Let us know in the comments.
This transcript was produced exclusively for Ringside News from the original recording. Republishing the transcription in full is prohibited. When using excerpts, provide prominent credit and a link to this article.
