10 Hysterical Times Wrestlers FORCED Each Other To Break Character

2. CM Punk Breaks Paul Heyman

CM Punk Paul Heyman Thumb
WWE

The CM Punk and Paul Heyman act of 2012-2013, in truth, won’t be remembered as the absolute zenith of either man’s career. They exuded an entirely detestable “above it all” energy together. They were smug, and you could believe very easily that they genuinely deemed themselves the only good thing on a show, Raw, that Punk declared “dismal” in one of their early interview segments. 

The problem is that the act and the über-bleak three hour era of the show debuted at almost exactly the same time. The latter relied much too heavily on the former, who were sent out there for ages and ages as a result. 

Short on the truly memorable moments and soundbites you could have reasonably expected, there was still gold to be found if you burrowed deep enough. 

They were magic when Punk feuded with the Undertaker: a programme that at least justified its questionable decision to get heat on the recently deceased Paul Bearer. In the build to WrestleMania 29, Punk opened the March 25, 2013 Raw, carrying what he purported to be Bearer’s ashes in the old Undertaker urn. He planted it on the canvas. With great deadpan delivery, Punk addressed the urn as “Paul”. 

Now, part of Heyman’ shtick was to lap up everything Punk said as a stitch - but Punk really got him with his ink-black delivery of an ice-cold bit. 

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!