CM Punk's Relationship With Rey Mysterio, Explained
Mia Walsh
Published Mar 28, 2026
Highlights
- CM Punk and Rey Mysterio had a heated rivalry in 2010, with intense matches and a memorable head-shaving showdown.
- Rey Mysterio still possesses a lock of CM Punk's hair, a tradition in Lucha libre, as a souvenir of their match.
- Despite their on-screen animosity, CM Punk and Rey Mysterio maintained a genuine off-screen friendship, staying in touch and supporting each other's careers.
When it comes to professional wrestling, two names have resonated through the years with a blend of rivalry, respect, and unspoken camaraderie – CM Punk and Rey Mysterio. As their bodies collided within the squared circle, the crowd witnessed not just a clash of athleticism but a dynamic interplay of personalities. Beyond the scripted animosity, a tale unfolded, weaving the threads of in-ring battles and genuine friendship. From the iconic head-shaving showdown to unexpected alliances, the saga of Punk and Mysterio transcends the boundaries of scripted entertainment. With Punk back in WWE, having his first match against Rey's son Dominik, we explore the intricate layers that define the relationship between CM Punk and Rey Mysterio.
CM Punk And Rey Mysterio Were WWE Rivals In 2010
CM Punk Had To Shave His Head After Losing To Rey Mysterio
TV Wins by CM Punk | TV Wins by Rey Mysterio |
|---|---|
6 | 7 |
The heated rivalry between CM Punk and Rey Mysterio in 2010 marked a defining chapter in WWE history. As Punk embraced his heel persona, leading the Straight Edge Society, the focus of his animosity turned sharply towards Rey Mysterio. The origins of this intense feud can be traced back to the Elimination Chamber match where Rey eliminated Punk, triggering a vendetta that would unfold over several Pay-Per-View events. The first clash occurred at WrestleMania 26, where Rey Mysterio emerged triumphant, securing a crucial victory over his relentless adversary. However, Punk quickly retaliated, seizing the opportunity at Extreme Rules in a grueling encounter that saw him claim the win. The culmination of their feud took place at Over the Limit, a match that transcended the typical boundaries of competition. The stipulation added a layer of complexity – if Rey lost, he would be compelled to join the Straight Edge Society, but if Punk lost, his signature locks would be sacrificed. In a dramatic turn of events, CM Punk found himself on the losing end, and as a consequence, he underwent a symbolic transformation with his head shaved.
Rey Mysterio, in an interview with InsideTheRopes, shared a fascinating tidbit about that match – he still possesses a lock of CM Punk's hair as it's a tradition in Lucha libre. He said:
“I still have some of his [CM Punk’s] hair in a little Ziploc bag with the date and that’s what we do in lucha libre. If you have a mask versus hair or hair versus hair match, and you happen to win — I learned this from uncle just from growing up in lucha libre — my uncle would collect the hair of his opponent and put it in a little baggie, date it, put the name of the opponent, where it was at and it’s kind of like a souvenir, trophy. So I actually — I do have CM Punk’s hair in a little Ziploc bag… It’s in one of my photo albums. He was cool, he was cool [with getting his head shaved]. I’ve always had a great — still to this day have a great relationship with Phil. Punk is a great guy. Despite his problems with WWE, we have always got along and during that time, he let me be me. I was always very careful though with him.”
-2.jpg)
The CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio WWE Feud Is Very Underrated
CM Punk and Rey Mysterio's feud saw both performers at the top of their game when they met at WrestleMania 26. To this day, it's extremely underrated.Rey Mysterio Stayed In Touch With CM Punk After He Left WWE
Rey Mysterio And CM Punk Once Had A Match With Eddie Guerrero
Contrary to their on-screen animosity, Rey Mysterio and CM Punk share a genuine off-screen friendship. In a revelation on the Keepin’ It 100 podcast, Rey mentioned that he never lost touch with Punk, frequently exchanging texts. He said:
“I was texting Punk back and forth every now and then. We would say ‘hi’ and ‘what’s up?’ Always been, not super close, but connected. Watching Dominik’s career take off, we would constantly shoot each other texts. Punk was a big rival during the whole Mysterio family on board with my daughter’s birthday, six or seven years old at the time. It’s cool to revisit all that and now see the growth of the Mysterio family and how we’re all still connected in some way.”
Their connection dates back to 2002 when they first met during a Triple Threat match with Eddie Guerrero at the IWA Mid-South Spring Heat event. Rey reminisced that they immediately hit it off, sharing a common mindset of wanting to deliver exceptional performances regardless of the audience's size.
CM Punk Suggests Rey Mysterio Shave Seth Rollins' Head To Get Back At Him
CM Punk has suggested that Rey Mysterio shave Seth Rollins' head to get back at him for everything The Messiah has done.CM Punk Admires Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio Is CM Punk's Ideal Opponent
CM Punk has consistently expressed admiration for Rey Mysterio's influence on his career. Reflecting on their 2002 IWA match on a stream with EliteComics11 on his Instagram, he said that a match with both Rey and Eddie put Punk on the map. He then said:
“And then working with Rey when I got called up to the main roster, the Straight Edge Society stuff especially, you can compare and contrast CM Punks from those two different time periods, and getting to work with Rey so frequently really felt like a level up, because that was like my litmus test. I could use Rey as a comparison. Like, okay, I was here when I worked with Rey last time.”
Even during Punk's hiatus from WWE, he frequently acknowledged their friendship. In an interview with GQ Sports, Punk lauded Rey, stating they were so compatible that they could produce a classic match effortlessly without even speaking to each other. Punk's support for Rey extended beyond the ring. During a storyline involving Rey's son Dominik on SmackDown, Punk, not even part of WWE at the time, humorously expressed his desire to punch Dominik while replying to Rey's Instagram post warning Dominik, adding an unexpected twist to the narrative and showing that even when he was away, Punk was always keeping track of his friend Rey.
