10 Times Vince McMahon Had To Swallow His Pride

2. The 2010 Recruitment Change

Part Two in a trilogy here that included the 2011 Money In The Bank main event, but arguably started a year prior. CM Punk's position within WWE was a byproduct of Vince's own failings, of sticking to the tried and tested formula of making the company's stars even as pro-wrestling tastes were changing drastically.

With the company largely comprised of big Men who were limited technically but looked great in the ring, and who had next to no natural charisma but could read the promos they were handed efficiently enough, is it any wonder CM Punk looked lightyears ahead of the rest of the roster? Times had changed and, despite resisting it for years, Vince was slowly having to change with them.

After years of being obsessed with their own developmental system, WWE suddenly went after workers like CM Punk and Daniel Bryan. Men who'd done it all on the independent circuit and brought years of experience and support with them. In the land of the giants they looked ridiculous, but not as ridiculous as Vince would have felt in turning to them.