Generating quite a buzz in the wrestling world, CM Punk paid tribute to longtime friend and Fresh Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert during WWE Money in the Bank 2026 on Saturday night.
Punk entered the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Encounter wearing a shirt featuring the word “Chadball,” honoring Gilbert, who passed away on September 20, 2026, following complications from stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma.
The nickname “Chadball” was inspired by the influential hardcore band Madball, whose music played an pivotal role in Gilbert’s career and musical influences.
Gilbert was best known for his work with Fresh Found Glory and his earlier involvement with the hardcore band Shai Hulud.
Members of Brand-new Found Glory also wore “Chadball” shirts during their maiden performance following Gilbert’s passing, making Punk’s tribute another acknowledgment of the late musician’s legacy.
Punk has maintained close connections within the hardcore and punk music communities throughout his wrestling career. Saturday’s gesture was not the initial time he has honored a friend through his WWE entrance attire.
Earlier this year at The showcase of the immortals, Punk paid tribute to Bo Lueders, guitarist for the hardcore band Harm’s Way and co-host of the Hardlore podcast.
Lueders, who was what's more a dedicated professional wrestling fan, passed away in April 2026.
Punk experienced another personal loss on September 5 when Andy Williams, known to AEW audiences as The Butcher, passed away.
Before establishing himself in professional wrestling, Williams was a member of the influential hardcore and metalcore band Every Time I Die.
The tribute to Gilbert at Money in the Bank came during a particularly difficult year for Punk, who has dropped several friends connected to both professional wrestling and the music industry.
Through his entrance attire, Punk once again used a major WWE stage to recognize someone who had played an important role in his life.
Get the complete WWE Money in the Bank 2026 results from October 10 in New Orleans, including contest winners, title changes, ladder match highlights, and surprise moments.