10 Things We Learned From Something Else To Wrestle With: CM Punk
6. John Laurinaitis Was A Supporter
Prichard repeatedly referred to the chip on CM Punk's shoulder being so big that several top talents were only too keen to bury him (more on those later), and virtually nobody higher up particularly wanted to even deal with him.
He cited Jim Ross as the first correspondent of his "attitudinal problems" - an issue that was promptly passed across to John Laurinaitis who in turn delegated duties to Prichard himself. Bruce recounted an at-the-time infamous clash of personalities between Punk and Tony Atlas, in which the former Tag Team Champion couldn't wrap his head around the way Punk taped his wrists.
Punk's aloof response was considered disrespectful by some, with the simple misunderstanding apparently being blown completely out of proportion when reported back to those with power. Prichard confirmed that several times, future television rival Laurinaitis went to bat for him in times of dissent, dating back to before he'd even signed with the company.
It was par for the course for 'The Voice Of The Voiceless' by all accounts, but reputation didn't help him when one of the company's most divisive figures became his biggest cheerleader...