7 Huge Ways WWE Has Changed In The 7 Years Since CM Punk’s Pipe Bomb

7. "You Know Who Else Was A Paul Heyman Guy? Brock Lesnar. And He Split, Just Like I'm Splitting."

It was deemed unthinkable that Brock Lesnar would ever return to WWE just seven years ago.

'The Beast' had bailed in 2004 based on a rationale few sane humans wouldn't eventually arrive at - Punk himself included. Also like 'The Voice Of The Voiceless', Lesnar hadn't been without some legal trouble from the company after potentially violating an admittedly unreasonable no-compete clause to wrestle for New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2005. His victory even saw him poke the bear by renaming his F5 finisher 'The Verdict' in a final parting shot. Brock Lesnar - again as Punk would eventually do - ventured into the octagon for then-pay-per-view UFC, whipping up a storm around himself in the process and making Vince McMahon look ludicrous for letting a star of his magnitude depart.

Indeed, these "Paul Heyman Guys" have walked remarkably similar paths, just in opposite directions. Lesnar got virtually all of the perks afforded to him Punk desperately desired, and remains to this day a multi-time main eventer despite barely showing up for work most of the year. Money still talks, even if the Chicago firebrand is happy not to listen.