25 Greatest Superstars In WWE Raw History
6. CM Punk
The night CM Punk incinerated the WWE system from within lit a fuse that still burns bright today. The sad irony that Triple H has somehow managed to take credit for it though brings to mind the question of if Punk's rage against the machine was really all worth it.
His Las Vegas 'Pipe Bomb' was a powerful protestation at the lack of respect he'd felt since entering Ohio Valley Wrestling under a cloud of disinterest from WWE's key decision-makers back in 2005. Yes-yes'ing every in-house no-no for the benefit of those that were aware of the clandestine rules placed upon talent, Punk expertly hammered out some home truths with the conviction of a man generally on his way out the door as he'd claimed to be doing after a Money In The Bank pay-per-view match against John Cena the following month.
He'd do more to enhance his stature as a record-smashing WWE Champion from 2011-2013, but unlike the man adorning his shirt during his legendary speech, he was all-too-easily defined by one shining moment rather than many.