Body Talk with CM Punk

Last week, Funfare had a “body talk” with Mark Gordon Henry, tagged as “The Strongest Man in the World” who is coming for showdown at the Big Dome on July 10 with more than a dozen other wrestlers including Batista, Jeff Edge, Rey Mysterio, Chris Jericho, Umaga, The Great Khali, Kane, Christian, Shelton Benjamin, Michelle McCool and, yes, CM Punk with whom Funfare also did an exclusive phone interview three days ago. He called from Chicago, Illinois, where he grew up.

At 30 (born on Oct. 26, 1978), CM Punk stands 6’1" and weighs 220 lbs. His real name is Phil Brooks. According to his bio-data, he trained at Ace Steel & Danny Dominion at the Steel Domain Wrestling School and his signature moves are G.T.S. (as in Go To Sleep) and Anaconda Vise. His career highlights: ECW champion, World Heavyweight champion, World Tag Team champion and Intercontinental champion.

Before signing up with WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) in 2005, CM Punk worked a few house shows and dark matches. He won the ROH World title against Austin Aries and lost it to James Gibson.

“Luck is for losers,” CM Punk was quoted as saying.

After winning a Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania XXIV, CM Punk was drafted to RAW following the 2008 Draft. Without delay, the summer of 2008 proved to be the Summer of Punk. He cashed in his Money in the Bank and captured the World Heavyweight Championship for the first time.

His arm is tattooed with good-luck charms.

“But,” stressed CM Punk, “I believe that you make your own good fortune through hard work and intense preparation.”

He has adopted the so-called “Straightedge Movement” in which one bases his life around a personal development and avoids drugs, alcohol and a dependency lifestyle.

It says in your bio-data that you once worked house shows and dark matches.

“It was very cool, very good learning experience. It opens your eyes.”

Why do you call yourself CM Punk?

“You know, I think Punk is probably the best way to describe myself.

I’ve never kind of run with the crowd. When I was a kid I was nicknamed Punk because of my attitude — you know, the way I dressed.”

You are a holder of another Money in the Bank. Are you going to cash it in during your match in Manila on July 10?

“I don’t know. It depends. You have to show up to find out.” (Laughs)

Why are you called The Straightedge Superstar?

“I’ve been ‘straight edge’ all my life, you know. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I don’t do drugs. I’ve always had a strong sense of well-being, of who I am. I was into hardcore music when I was a kid but I later found out about the Straightedge Movement and it has been my lifestyle ever since.”

Clean-living, yes. According to your bio-data, you took up Muay Thai Kickboxing and Brazilian Jujitsu. Haven’t you heard of any Filipino martial-art form?

“I used to do modern Arnis de Mano which is a little bit Filipino.”

It’s your first visit to the Philippines in July, right?

“Yes. That’s why I’m excited.”

Did you know that one of the stars on your Big Dome show is half-Filipino, Batista?

“Yes, I know.”

I talked to Mark Henry, said to be “the strongest man in the world,” and he said that he’s going to “demolish anybody who gets” in his way. How do you react to that?

“I know Mark Henry. I fought with him before. He likes to talk a lot but he definitely, definitely can’t back up what he’s saying. I mean, he’s the strongest man in the world, but...Well, I love challenges. Let’s see if during our match in Manila he can back up what he said.”

What kind of diet do you have? How do you keep fit?

“I just try to refrain from eating junk food, like ice-cream. I cut my carb intake at around 2 o’clock in the afternoon. I have a high-protein diet.”

Any other food that you avoid?

“Yeah. Normally, I don’t eat fried food. I don’t like that. It’s bad for your health. So I usually make my own food.”

And what food do you prefer?

“I’m a big sushi guy.”

Do you take vitamins or supplements?

“I just take multivitamins and I stuff myself with protein shake. That’s about it.”

How much water do you take per day?

“Lots and lots of water!”

Aside from lifting weights, what workout do you do?

“I jog; I run a lot. I do studio martial arts and stuff like that.”

Your body seems to be perfect as it is. Is there any part that you think needs some improvement?

“Oh, there’s always room for improvement, yeah! I’m always in the gym, I’m always running. I try to stay fit and leaner.”

What part of your body is most vulnerable?

“Hmmmm. I don’t know. Over-all, I’m pretty healthy so I don’t know if there’s any part that’s vulnerable.”

How much sleep do you get per night?

“I haven’t been getting enough sleep these days. I try to get eight to nine hours per night but I can’t because of my schedule. I’m traveling a lot, you know. So I get maybe only six to seven hours per night.”

How do you cope with stress?

“I work out. I do yoga. It’s very relaxing. And I listen to music.”

What kind of music do you like?

“All kinds, but mostly pop rock.”

In your younger years, didn’t you dream of becoming somebody else aside from a wrestler?

“No. I’ve always wanted to be a wrestler.”

I guess you have sustained a lot of injuries.

“Yeah. You can’t avoid it. In 2002, I fractured my skull.”

They say that wrestling is a violent sport. Is everything for real or is it scripted (or choreographed)?

“I’ve been hurt, you know that. Wrestling is a hard-hitting sport so you always have to be careful so you won’t get hurt.”

How are you at home? How do you unwind with your family?

“I unwind by working out. I do love to watch movies; I go to concerts and stuff like that. But I hardly have time for them because we’re always on the road.”

Would you advise any of your children to follow in your footsteps?

“I don’t have children; I’m not married. But if I did have children, I would advise them, and my fans, to do what they love to do and make that their living.”

What’s the best thing about being CM Punk?

“I think it’s very cool to be able to travel to different countries and meet your fans. That’s the best thing.”

And the worst, if any?

“Hmmmm. Wrestling is kind of a double-edged sword, you know. Being away from home most of the time. I’m not married but I miss home. That, I think, is the worst part.”

(Note: For ticket inquiries about The WWE SmackDown & ECW Live Tour in Manila at the Araneta Coliseum on July 10, call SM TicketNet at 911-5555 or 374-9999.)

Briefly noted

• Last March 16, racer Gaby de la Merced (remember her as one of last year’s Pinoy Big Brother’s “tenants?”) went to San Francisco to test with Spoon Sports, a Japanese company which specializes in engine tuner and other car parts made by Honda.

The two-day tryout was held on March 21 and 22 at the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma where Gaby drove the TSX Spoon race car. Opak Racing, Spoon Sports US counterpart, was satisfied with Gaby’s performance and signed her up in its team.

Another female racer, a Peruvian, also made it to the cut and joined the first race at Button Willows, California, on April 25 and 26.

Gaby got the thrill of her life when she met Patrick “Dr. Dreamy” Dempsey, a racing enthusiast, in one of the races.

Last May 30, Gaby took second place in a US race. She’s arriving any day now to fulfill local commitments.

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