Larry Forever: CM Punk’s Emotional Message That Has Nothing to Do With Wrestling
For years, CM Punk has built his career on being the loudest, most controversial voice in professional wrestling. But on February 20th, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion went silent in a different way—and the words he shared hit fans harder than any piledriver ever could.
The “Best in the World” posted a tribute that had nothing to do with championship gold, title defenses, or his ongoing rivalry with Drew McIntyre. Instead, Punk opened up about a loss that no amount of wrestling success can ever replace.
Ten years ago, Punk and his wife, former WWE superstar AJ Lee, walked into PAWS Chicago and walked out with a furry companion who would change their lives forever. That dog, Larry, became more than just a pet. He became family.
In a raw Instagram post that felt more like a private journal entry than a public statement, Punk marked the anniversary of the day he rescued Larry—a day he still celebrates as “gotcha day.” The photos he shared told a story of years filled with road trips, quiet moments, and unconditional loyalty.
“We tried to bring him everywhere and experience everything,” Punk wrote, revealing a side of himself that fans rarely get to see.
But it was the ending of his post that left fans reaching for tissues.
“Larry forever,” Punk wrote, before using the moment to deliver a message that carried weight far beyond the wrestling world. He urged followers to adopt rescue dogs instead of shopping for them. Then came a line that felt hauntingly poetic, almost too fitting for a man known for his cryptic promos: “Be careful in the streets; you never know who is lurking behind the hedges.”
For those who have followed Punk’s career, the post served as a rare glimpse behind the curtain. The man who built his legacy on pipe bombs and straight-edge authenticity showed that his real vulnerability has always existed far away from the bright lights of the ring.
Fans responded in kind, remembering how they created signs for Larry during his final months and supported Piece Chicago pizza by ordering in the dog’s name. It was a collective moment of grief shared between a champion and the people who cheer for him.
In the end, Punk’s message wasn’t about wrestling at all. It was about the bond between a man and his dog—a bond that even WWE gold can’t measure up to. And for a few minutes, the “Second City Saint” reminded everyone that beneath the championship belts and bravado, he’s just someone who loved his best friend.
