10 Wrestlers You Can Tell HATED Working For WWE

4. Paul Heyman

CM Punk Paul Heyman Guy
WWE.com

Paul Heyman bonded with and backed CM Punk to the hilt during their shared stint in Ohio Valley Wrestling, circa 2005. Heyman knew what the wider world soon would: Punk was a fiercely talented, driven and marketable future star.

Heyman was unshakable in his conviction; after much in the way of petition, he was eventually permitted to promote the newly slender Straight Edge Superstar to feature heavily on the exhumed ECW brand. Punk symbolised Heyman's vision; though not an ECW original, he was a performer very much in the original spirit of the promotion. Unfortunately for Heyman, that vision was regulated by Vince McMahon. ECW wasn't even a logical continuation; in depressingly short order, the brand existed as vehicle for latest pet project Bobby Lashley. The odd table spot was little more than window dressing.

At December To Dismember, McMahon nixed Heyman's idea to put Punk over as the new ECW World champion. Sabu was a botch waiting to happen. To most, that was part of his dangerous charm. To McMahon, it was an affront to his trademark over-production. He did not appear in the Extreme Elimination Chamber bout Punk was not allowed to win.

After cutting a scathing promo earlier in the night, Heyman, even with his palm covering his face, could not hide his disgust at this newly-bastardised stepchild.

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!