The Lesser known story of CM Punk and the Straight Edge Society

You might have seen some powerful factions over the years in WWE. Evolution, DX, The Shield, and Nexus immediately come to mind. However, you may forget the valiant effort of CM Punk 10 years ago.

The long-haired CM Punk at the time was on the verge of transitioning into one of the most popular Superstars in WWE. Back then, his struck a very close resemblance to “The Monday Night Messiah” Seth Rollins’ current gimmick. 

Punk started a new faction called the Straight Edge Society which had its own quirky rules. Proclaiming himself as the Saviour and preaching his word, CM Punk soon gathered his disciples to form this faction.

The original members of the group included Serena and a very ominous looking Luke Gallows. Joseph Mercury later joined the faction.

The weeks following this alliance saw a lot of CM Punk. He preached, people listened, until they could listen no more.

The Straight Edge Society had an Initiation Ceremony in which the followers who wanted to join the group would have to go bald before doing so.

On one peculiar ‘Initiation Ceremony’, Rey Mysterio interrupted and challenged CM Punk to a fight. The loser would have to shave their head bald as per the stipulation.

The long feud with Rey Mysterio began and ended with Punk being kicked off his high horse. 

We didn’t get to see a bald Punk, however, since he wore a mask for several episodes after that. Ashamed of his new look, CM Punk wore a mask similar to Mysterio’s for every appearance.

Big Show ruined CM Punk and The Straight Edge Society

The Straight Edge Society then ran into Big Show, who also struck up a big feud with them. The giant humiliated Punk by pulling off his mask in one segment! The real mettle of the faction was put to the test as they faced Big Show in a 3-on-1 handicap match.

Big Show somehow managed to get through the odds and win the match, which ultimately sealed the fate of The Straight Edge Society.

Following several losses, Punk severed ties with his team members. WWE announced that it had parted way with Selena, which cut her off from the group. 

Later, Punk delivered a GTS to Luke Gallows over the frustration of his position, which led the latter to challenge him to a match. However, Punk won that match and Gallows was let go from the company shortly after this fight.

Punk’s faction abruptly ended, and he was given a major character upgrade as he went on to become “The Best in the World.”

However, Punk would return again with a faction after forming the New Nexus as a rival to Wade Barrett’s original Nexus, which he called the “Poor Man’s Nexus”.

I think it’s pretty obvious that CM Punk was always better off going solo. The Straight Edge Society would never reform again like many other factions and remains as a footnote in the long book of WWE History.