12. CM Punk
CM Punk's the post-grunge "straight edge" straight-talker, the guy who allowed WWE to get back to its roots as a reality-based product because he may be the company's most entertaining "pipebomb" truth-teller of a stick-man since Roddy Piper. As well, he's the first of what are now many independent wrestlers to cross over and prove their worth as WWE superstars. Before Daniel Bryan, Sami Zayn or Kevin Owens, Punk set the table. Pictured above may be his best moment, in his hometown of Chicago, where he faced and defeated John Cena, and literally left WWE as the World Champion. Being the man who opened the financial floodgates between Vince McMahon and the world of independent wrestling (and more), VInce McMahon owes CM Punk likely much more than just a debt of gratitude.
Marcus K. Dowling
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Besides having been an independent professional wrestling manager for a decade, Marcus Dowling is a Washington, DC-based writer who has contributed to a plethora of online and print magazines and newspapers writing about music and popular culture over the past 15 years.
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