CM Punk recently answered a variety of questions in GQ’s “Replies To Fans Online” series. Punk has long been associated with the Living Colour classic “Cult Of Personality,” which the WWE star has used as his primary entrance theme for most of his career.
Punk did also use “This Fire Burns” by Killswitch Engage during his initial ascent in WWE and again after his “Pipebomb” promo and WWE Championship win over John Cena before switching back shortly after to “Cult Of Personality.”
One fan asked Punk if he would ever consider going back to “This Fire Burns.” Punk said: “No, I can’t, and I’m gonna tell you why, even though it’s none of your business. ‘Cult of Personality’ is iconic. ‘This Fire Burns’ is also iconic. But come on, we’re talking about Living Colour. Vernon Reid. That song’s been with me since 1989 when it came out and I was on the Little League team, The Indians.”
Punk continued: “I knew it was time to make ‘Cult Of Personality’ my official theme song in WWE when I was renegotiating my contract and I knew how much Vince McMahon hated to pay for licensed music. And I said, ‘Guess what, pal? The only way I’m re-signing is if I get this song.’ I thought he was gonna say no and I was gonna peace out and go on vacation. He said yes, and well, now here I am.”
Punk had Living Colour re-record the song more recently so the band would benefit from the royalties of the new version as opposed to the record company which apparently has the rights to the original.
Check out Punk’s full interview below.
