Tag: larry the dog

A fundraiser to honor CM Punk and AJ Lee’s late dog Larry has raised more than $50,000 to help support animal shelter PAWS Chicago.

From January 8 through February 7, Punk, PAWS Chicago, and pizza restaurant Piece Chicago partnered together to sell a pizza named “The Larry.” There were 730 pizzas sold in total, raising $51,100 for PAWS. The pizza was sold at $35 each, but each pie counted for a $70 donation with Piece donating $10 and six other donors matching that with their own $10 donations.

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A post shared by Piece Chicago (@piecechicago)

“Punk shared The Larry across his platform with passion, raising critical funds and further amplifying PAWS Chicago’s lifesaving work, which saves nearly 5,000 homeless dogs and cats every year. Thanks to CM Punk’s commitment, Piece sold 730 of Larry’s pizza, resulting in an incredible $51,100 raised for PAWS,” Piece Chicago announced.

“Thank you, CM Punk. You’ve helped give so many deserving pets the chance to live and bring joy to the lives they touch. You are our champion. Thanks to our amazing group of matching donors: Alison & Sean Fogarty, Laura Desmond, Leonard Goodman, Joe Mansueto, and Kristin K-Mac MacGregor.”

The Pizza, crafted by Punk, was a New Haven-style pie featuring red sauce, mozzarella, smoked Italian sausage, cupped pepperoni, and grated pecorino cheese.

Larry passed away in December 2025 after having been rescued by Punk and Lee from PAWS Chicago more than a decade earlier. The organization is the largest no-kill shelter in the Midwest.

Punk and Lee are both set to compete in their hometown of Chicago when WWE Elimination Chamber takes place at the United Center on February 28. Punk vs. Finn Balor for the World Heavyweight Championship and Becky Lynch vs. Lee for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship have been confirmed for the PLE.

In an Instagram post today, AJ Lee shared a tribute to her late dog Larry.

Larry — who was adopted by Lee and her husband CM Punk more than a decade ago — passed away in December after living what Punk called a “long amazing life.” The gruff-looking dog became a cult favorite with Lee and Punk’s fans during his life as they posted pictures of Larry to social media and referenced him in their careers.

A fundraiser in honor of Larry is currently ongoing to benefit PAWS Chicago, where Larry was adopted from. Lee thanked everyone who has contributed and reflected on what Larry meant to her, sharing how he helped her get through tough moments. While half of her heart is gone following Larry’s passing, Lee encouraged everyone looking for a best friend that will make their day brighter to rescue a dog instead of buying one.

She wrote:

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A post shared by AJ Mendez (@theajmendez)

• Thank you all who donated to animal rescue org @pawschicago in Larry’s memory.
• Over a decade ago our Larry Talbot was surrendered there for doing the most. Multiple fosters gave up on him, one stating on record ‘I cannot allow this chaos in my home any longer’.A professional trainer called him ‘a lost cause’. He survived abuse and abandonment and was just misunderstood. We knew he was perfect for us. He snuggled on his terms, like a prickly cat. He stole entire pizzas and donuts off countertops and swallowed them whole like a snake. One time a little abuela saw him on the street, clutched her chest, and yelled ‘El Chupacabra!’ He helped get me out of the deepest depressive cycles and was the center of my happiest days. He went from discarded underdog to having his face plastered across billboards, the United Center, ASPCA campaigns, Rolling Stone, and had more action figures, merchandise, and fan art than most pro athletes. In his golden years, he grew the long beard of a wise wizard and became velcro, permanently attached to my lap. It was the greatest honor to become his emotional support after he spent so long being mine. I just know he’s now with my other furry angels Mugsy and Nacho, causing absolute f-ing mayhem.
• I am not okay, half my heart is gone. I get really quiet and private during the hard stuff but I wanted to come on here and say, if you need a best friend who will make every day brighter, who will save your life right back, please adopt don’t shop. Rescue dogs are a special kind of magic.

After retiring from WWE in 2015, Lee made her return to the company last September. She’s taking a trepidatious approach to her wrestling schedule but has worked two matches so far. A singles bout against Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch could be in her future with the two having feuded since Lee’s return.