According to Paul Heyman, trying to get CM Punk noticed by WWE management was akin to pulling teeth. It was almost like people at WWE Headquarters knew how good the 'Straight Edge Superstar' was even when he was in development, but they just didn't want to admit it. Upon leaving the company in 2014, Punk said he ever felt liked by many people there, and always felt like others were trying to undermine him. In June, 2008, Punk cashed in his 'Money In The Bank' privileges to become World Heavyweight Champion at the expense of Edge. Instead of launching him into the stratosphere, Punk was billed as an 'underdog' champ, one lucky to be in the spot he was. It wouldn't be until 2011 that WWE really started to take the man seriously. Cutting the infamous shoot-style promo that Summer, Punk was all-of-a-sudden hot news in WWE. Fans were treating him like a main event star, so the company couldn't ignore that fact any longer. Finally, the decision was made to really get behind the man. He went on to have a record-setting reign as WWE Champion, holding the belt for an incredible 434 days. That may never have happened without the support of fans, who constantly pushed for the man's success.