10 WWE Decisions That Enraged The IWC

3. Triple H Defeats CM Punk

Randy Orton, Christian, Handshake
WWE.com

Just like Daniel Bryan, CM Punk’s booking was often the root cause of widespread fan outrage throughout his tenure with the company.

The decision to have him lose to Triple H at Night Of Champions 2011 was one of the most destructive of Punk’s career, and brought the acclaimed Summer Of Punk storyline crashing down in the most disappointing way imaginable.

Punk was the talk of the wrestling world that year, and his cathartic Money In The Bank 2011 victory over John Cena remains one of the modern era’s most iconic moments. Unfortunately, WWE set about botching the storyline thereafter, first by bringing Punk back to television way too early, then by having him fall to Alberto Del Rio upon returning prior to entering a feud with Triple H and Kevin Nash.

‘The Game’ defeated Punk that October, and the outrage was swift. The corporate boogeyman had quashed the rebellion once and for all, and the Summer Of Punk was over. It was a needless outcome that Triple H gained nothing from, and ultimately played a major role in Punk’s eventual departure from the company in 2014.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.