Chris Bey opens up about friendship with WWE Champion CM Punk
Chris Bey is grateful to have CM Punk’s support as the former TNA X-Division Champion recovers from the life-altering neck injury he suffered in 2024.
While speaking with The Sportster, Bey opened up about the friendship he has with Punk. The two first met at a TNA show years ago and stayed in contact after that. When Bey suffered his neck injury and had to learn to walk again, Punk was “always there” texting him and seeing how his recovery was going.
“Man, another guy I idolized growing up [and] was very inspired by,” Bey said about Punk. “From the Straight Edge lifestyle to just the promos and the gear. I had similar gear when I first started in wrestling — the shoes under the kick pads. Everything, I’ve been inspired by him. I’m so grateful to have his support and friendship.
“I met him many years ago at a TNA event. And from there, I’ve always just been very open about how much I appreciate him and his contributions to the business and what him being authentic has done for people’s personal lives. And I think he appreciated that. And then once the injury happened, he was always there, you know, texting me, checking up on me, seeing what the percentages were looking like, seeing what the recovery was looking like. If I needed anything, he was there.”
Bey was initially only given a 10-25 percent chance of being able to walk again after his injury. He’s defied those odds and is back on his feet, though it’s unknown if he’ll ever be able to wrestle again. Bey, who is now back at his pre-injury weight, shared a photo a few months back of him and Punk working out together in the gym.
“We’re both in this mode right now where we’re trying to get in the best shapes of our lives,” Bey said. “And we’re both carrying around food scales and weighing every single thing we eat. And I think it shows in his physique and in mine right now. I’m finally back to my weight I was pre-injury. I actually just reached that goal again as far as what I weigh. I dropped 30-some pounds from the injury. So it’s nice to finally be back. He’s locked in, and now he’s the [Undisputed WWE Champion] again. As soon as he won the title, I was watching the show, I knew they were in Chicago, I had a feeling something cool was going to happen. I was watching the show. Soon as it happened, I texted him. I’m just like, ‘Yes!’ And he’s like, ‘Let’s hit the gym. That’s the next move.’ Because he’s a workhorse right now.”
Chris Bey’s future —
When asked what his future might look like over the next year, Bey said he’s focused on making music right now. Longer term, he’ll continue to find ways to contribute to the wrestling industry and help younger talent. He gave a “never say never” answer when asked about potentially wrestling again.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.