10 Weirdest Wrestling Cults Ever

The Straight Edge Society, despite lasting less than a year, was a crucial part of leader CM Punk’s rise to superstardom. Punk was a natural cult leader with his innate charisma, intelligence, and ability to work the mic unlike any of his contemporaries, and he took the Straight Edge movement and ramped up the rules, becoming excessively strict and militant.

The Straight Edge Society is often remembered for its initiation ritual, which required new devotees to shave their hair, said to symbolise their new beginning. Also notable was the group’s feud with Jeff Hardy, which was a little too liberal with inspiration from Hardy’s real life substance abuse. A highlight from their run was Punk’s preaching during the 2010 Royal Rumble match, offering the save some participants and berating others as unsavable. He was dominant in doing so, until he came up against Triple H.

Punk was initially successful, curing Luke Gallows of his addiction to pain medication, and forgiving Serena after she lapsed and drank alcohol. However, after the wrestling side of the cult started racking up losses, Punk began losing his cool if not his faith. The cult was soon disbanded by real-life contract releases.