25 Best Moments Of WWE Monday Night RAW (Year-By-Year)
7. 2011: Pipebomb
Do we really need to go into detail about this one? If you haven't watched this like a hundred times already, can you even call yourself a WWE fan? And if not, it's right up there, you don't need us to rigorously relay redundant recaps.
Of course, it cannot be overstated that Punk's Pipebomb was what WWE and wrestling as a whole desperately needed at a time where it seemed like everyone was jogging in place. Excitement and ambition had given way to formula and complacency, and now here was CM Punk, charismatic former Indie darling, telling the hardcore audience who had been sitting in the back "You're right, this show sucks." It was an acknowledgement of this strong contingent of the fandom that gave way to a new paradigm where WWE now had to actively court the audience who knew of the world beyond their sports entertainment walls.
It's been messy and chaotic, but WWE's post-Punk era has been so much better than what came before, thanks to the Pipebomb.