You remember the 2011 Pipe Bomb, right? That gray t-shirt, the cross-legged seat on the stage, the microphone that basically changed wrestling history. For years, if you wanted a piece of that moment in plastic form, you were paying a king's ransom on eBay.
CM Punk wrestling figures have always been weirdly symbolic of his actual career. When he’s gone, the prices skyrocket and the fans get desperate. When he’s back, the market gets flooded with "The Best in the World" in every possible color of trunks.
Honestly, collecting Punk isn't just about grabbing a toy; it's about tracking a guy who has been "fired," "retired," and "resurrected" more times than a soap opera villain.
The Mattel Takeover and the "Lost Years"
When Punk walked out of WWE in 2014, the toy world hit a wall. Mattel had been pumping out some incredible Elite figures—think Elite 16 with the red "Best in the World" shirt or the legendary Elite 20. But once that bridge was burned, the production lines stopped.
Collectors went nuts. For nearly a decade, if you wanted a high-quality Punk, you had to hunt down old stock.
The Elite 11 figure from the Nexus era became a holy grail for some. Others obsessed over the Defining Moments version that captured his 2011 look. Prices for a mint-in-box Elite 29 Punk—his final "standard" WWE figure for years—started hitting three digits. It was a dark time for the wallet.
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Why the AEW Jazwares Figures Felt Different
Then 2021 happened. The "First Dance" in Chicago didn't just bring Punk back to the ring; it brought him to Jazwares.
The AEW Unrivaled and Unmatched lines gave us something we hadn't seen: an older, "Long Hair" Punk. The Supreme Collection figure was the big one. It came with the soft goods hoodies and enough accessories to recreate his entire run against MJF.
But there was always a bit of a "what if" vibe. Jazwares' scaling can be a little hit-or-miss compared to Mattel, and some fans complained the skin tones looked a bit "waxy." Still, seeing the ROH-tribute gear in the Unmatched Series 4 (the Chase edition is still a beast to find) felt like a love letter to his indie roots.
The 2024-2026 Resurgence: Back in the Box
Since his return at Survivor Series 2023, the floodgates haven't just opened—they've exploded. Mattel is making up for lost time with a vengeance.
We’ve seen everything from the "Return" Elite figure in his street clothes to the heavy hitters in the Ultimate Edition line. If you’re a serious collector, the Ultimate Edition 27 is basically the gold standard right now. It has the double-jointed elbows, the swappable "mutton chop" heads, and the Bret Hart-inspired pink gear.
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It’s probably the most "Punk" figure ever made.
The Chase for Rare Variants
If you're looking for the stuff that actually holds value, you have to look at the Chases and the Exclusives.
- The Walmart Pink & Green Chase: This variant from the Main Event Series 150 is a nightmare to find in the wild. It’s got that vibrant Chicago flag star design that just pops on a shelf.
- Mattel Creations "ECW Debut": This one is a nostalgia trap. It celebrates his 2006 debut in the Land of Extreme. It’s got the long hair, the youth, and that specific "I'm about to take over" energy.
- Defining Moments (Ringside Exclusive): They recently re-did the Pipe Bomb look. It's better than the original. The TrueFX face scanning makes the old 2011 figures look like thumb-puppets.
Dealing With "Figure Fatigue"
Is there such a thing as too much Punk? Kinda.
As we move through 2026, Mattel is dropping Retros, Basics, and Elites at a dizzying pace. We've got the 2026 Wave 1 Retros (the old Hasbro style) and new "From the Vault" releases.
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The danger for a collector is "completer syndrome." You don't need every single one. Honestly, most of the Basic line figures are just "shelf fillers." They lack the articulation that makes a Punk figure fun to pose in a Go To Sleep (GTS) position.
Stick to the Elites and Ultimates. Your display will look better, and your bank account won't hate you quite as much.
How to Value Your Collection Today
Market prices for CM Punk wrestling figures are more stable now than they were in the "AEW vs. WWE" hype era.
- Check the "TrueFX" stamp: Figures made with the newer digital face-scanning technology (roughly 2019-present) generally hold better aesthetic value.
- Soft Goods Matter: Figures that include fabric shirts and hoodies (like the Fan Takeover or Supreme lines) always fetch a premium over molded plastic clothes.
- The "Bridge" Figures: Interestingly, the AEW figures are starting to creep up in price again now that he's back in WWE. They represent a specific, finite window of his career that won't be replicated.
If you’re just starting out, don't overpay for the old 2012-era Mattels unless you really love the specific attire. The modern tech is just so much better. The likeness on the Ultimate Edition 27 or the Elite 121 is lightyears ahead of anything we had ten years ago.
Next Steps for Your Shelf:
Start by prioritizing the Ultimate Edition 27. It is the definitive modern Punk. If you're a nostalgia hunter, look for the Ringside Exclusive "Pipe Bomb" re-release rather than the 2011 original; you'll get better articulation and a more accurate face for a lower price point. Keep an eye on local hobby shops for the AEW Supreme Collection—as those become harder to find, they're becoming the "oddity" pieces of a complete Punk collection.