In the history of WWE, few people have willingly given up so much future money, and left angrier than CM Punk did. Debuting on the main roster in 2006, Punk looked to have huge potential, but didnt have the look that Vince goes for. He remained in an upper mid-card role until he cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on Edge and won the World Heavyweight Title in 2008. Still, he wasnt positioned as a top guy, and wouldnt be until 2011 after his Pipebomb Promo. Then he was shot to the top...well, next to the top. Despite now having the WWE Title, it was clear that John Cena was still the focal point of the company, and nothing would be changing that. Punk was also was not treated with as much respect as The Undertaker, HHH, or The Rock, whenever they decided to come back for a program. Punk began to feel he would never be THE guy in WWE, would never main event WrestleMania, and would not receive the same enormous paychecks as other top acts have. He remained a workhorse, though, wrestling in long, grueling matches, and cutting lengthy promos every week. He was burnt out and hurt. When he found out his upcoming Mania match was going to be against HHH, hed had enough. At the January 26, 2014 Royal Rumble, Punk competed for the last time. After a volatile backstage showdown with Vince and Hunter before Raw the next day, he went home, never to return. Months later on Colt Cabanas podcast, Punk unleashed all his frustrations with his former employer. It was a thrilling listen, but sad to see someone with so much passion have it beaten out of him so thoroughly.
As Rust Cohle from True Detective said "Life's barely long enough to get good at one thing. So be careful what you're good at."
Sadly, I can't solve a murder like Rust...or change a tire, or even tie a tie. But I do know all the lyrics to Hulk Hogan's "Real American" theme song and can easily name every Natural Born Thriller from the dying days of WCW. I was once ranked 21st in the United States in Tetris...on the Playstation 3 version...for about a week.
Follow along @AndrewSoucek and check out my podcast at wrestlingwithfriends.com
