CM Punk: Pro wrestling more dangerous than MMA

Phil “CM Punk” Brooks was recently interviewed by Kenny Herzog for Rolling Stone about his career change from the Squared Circle to the Octagon. Brooks, 36, was Christmas-accessory shopping at a Chicago Walgreens at the time.

Kenny Herzog: Are critics not being realistic about what a win-win this is for you and the company?

Phil “CM Punk” Brooks: I definitely do think it’s a win-win for myself and the UFC, but I will be quick to point out that, normally, the first person to tell you that something’s impossible has already failed at it. And this is not me passing judgment on anyone else. It’s just my perception of things. There’s a very real possibility that whatever anybody’s definition of failure is, that might happen to me, but I’m confident it won’t, because I believe in myself and I believe in my ability. All this is me; it’s my life. I’ve seen some people get really bent out of shape about it, and that I can’t really spend time trying to grasp. If you’re really that upset about it, you’re going to see me get punched in the face, so it’s a win-win for you too.

I understand other peoples’ point of view about, “Oh, there’s great fighters out there like Ben Askren.” My only point on that is, “Don’t be mad at me, Ben. Be mad at Dana.” I’m sure Ben Askren’s a nice guy. If he’s mad at me, I understand. But if the Blackhawks came to me before Dana and Lorenzo did and were like, “We’re gonna put you in goal,” I’d be like, “That’s great. I played a little hockey when I was a kid.” You know what I mean? I’m not gonna deny myself some opportunity because somebody on Twitter thinks I shouldn’t have it.

KH: Once you do step inside the Octagon in 2015, will there be any fear about getting hurt?

 CM: No. I’ve been getting beat up for most of my adult life. Pro wrestling is a lot different than MMA. Most recently, I had a conversation with King Mo, and he’s been training to be a pro wrestler, and he was like, “Pro wrestling is harder.” Now, that doesn’t make my decision to do MMA like, “Oh, this is easy,” because I know it’s not. I just know I’ve put in work in pro wrestling, and the work ethic you learn from doing that will translate for me. It will put me in a good position.

KH: Is there actually a higher risk of injury amid the choreographed violence of wrestling than in the specialized fighting of MMA?

CM: I definitely think pro wrestling’s more risky. The pro wrestler’s mentality, and it’s ingrained in them from the start, is you have to work hurt. And I know guys in MMA are banged up and will “work hurt,” but if you tear your knee up, you’re gonna get surgery. Pro wrestlers will not, because they’re afraid about losing their jobs. They will work through torn ligaments and everything, and I’ve done it and it’s not smart, and it’s not the healthiest work environment.

If I step in the Octagon and I get knocked out, I don’t gotta keep fighting. If that was pro wrestling, and I slipped and I fell and something happened to me and I got knocked out and I woke up three seconds later, guess what: I gotta finish this match. That’s just the pro wrestler’s mentality, and I’m glad I don’t really have to be subjected to that anymore. Imagine if an MMA fighter fought four-to-five nights a week. That’s essentially what I was doing in pro wrestling. Obviously, there’s big differences between a real fight and a fake one, but it’s a lot more wear and tear on your body, the travel is brutal. So I won’t be doing that.

Read entire interview…