10 Ways CM Punk Changed WWE FOREVER
8. He Opened Up Public Discourse About Independent Contracts In Wrestling
This entry is less about changing the internal workings of WWE and more about changing public perception about WWE. For now, anyway.
CM Punk's second most talked-about diatribe is his first appearance on Colt Cabana's Art of Wrestling podcast in 2014, during which he delivered a scathing tell-all account of why he walked away from WWE. At some point in the episode, he clarified that he did not "quit" anything because he was an independent contractor and he could've left "whenever [he] wanted to".
While at first glance it may seem like Punk was merely defending his departure from the company, that line carried some serious implications, especially considering Punk had also detailed multiple instances of negligence by WWE's medical staff.
While WWE is certainly not the only promotion that signs talent to independent contracts, WWE's schedule is far more demanding than that of any other promotion. So, to know that these guys are doing exceptionally dangerous stunts nearly every day, that their medical concerns are (apparently) being ignored, and that they don't receive health insurance...it's just not a good look.
Since then, WWE has been under immense pressure to provide more protections to their employees. John Oliver recently slammed Vince McMahon for this very reason on an episode of "Last Week Tonight," and with main competitor AEW offering healthcare to at least some of their wrestlers, hopefully WWE might be compelled to take action sooner rather than later.