CM Punk is currently embroiled in a tussle with WWE over unpaid royalties. The former champion has sent a 22 page legal document to his former employer, reportedly complaining about the company continuing to trade off his name and likeness. The straw that broke the camel's back appears to be the WWE 2K15 video game. Punk is set to be a major part of the central theme mode, despite his contract having expired in July 2014 (and with his physical exit from WWE as far back as January). The prominence of Punk in 2K15, coupled with WWE's continued profiteering in CM Punk merchandise, has finally made the ex-wrestler snap. His 22 page letter is a very aggressive move, aiming to either stop 'CM Punk' featuring in WWE 2K15 or to at least get some financial compensation for it. WWE responded swiftly, instantly whitewashing CM Punk merchandise from WWE's vendors. All of his gear (which WWE had continued to sell and make good money on) is now obsolete. You had products like the 'Best In The World' DVD going for mere dollars after the letter was sent, and now a 'CM Punk' search on WWE Shop simply renders 'No Results.' More seriously though, WWE and Punk now seem destined for hard legal action. Punk's letter was like an opening shot, a sounding horn to begin hostilities. Legal action on both sides seems probable. Punk feels he's owed something, WWE feels he's owed nothing. Things are about to get ugly. In a way it suited both sides to keep up the nine month silence that began after Punk exited so abruptly this past January. Either side acting out against the other was always going to provoke a game of one-upmanship in the legal arena. WWE can argue Punk broke his contract and was under a deal when the 2K15 game and his merchandise was produced. Punk will argue that he's owed money and wasn't active when 2K completed their game - he'll also point out that he owns the CM Punk trademark. Things are about to get interesting, but it's a war that the ex-wrestler can't possibly win. He might victor in some battles, but WWE will ultimately make him rue any legal challenge. Here's 10 reasons why CM Punk moving against WWE was a mistake.
