If you asked most fans about this particular entry, they would immediately mention the build to the match between Punk and Taker at WrestleMania 29. In the aftermath of Paul Bearer passing away, the storyline featured several Bearer mentions and culminated in what many felt was a disrespectful segment with Paul Heyman dressing up as Bearer and Punk pouring ashes out of an urn (we were led to believe that the ashes were Bearer) all over himself and Taker. People assumed Taker would have been upset over the use of Bearer's death in a storyline, as Bearer was one of his best friends and something of a father figure to him for over two decades. However, those people don't realize that Taker himself signed off on everything that was happening, as did Bearer's family. No, Taker's anger towards Punk goes back a few more years. Taker, of course, has long been known as a locker room leader. He sat back and watched as Punk, representing the company as their World Champion, made media and public appearances dressed in his normal overly casual attire, and not in a suit-and-tie. There was supposedly an angry backstage confrontation by Taker, which led to tempers flaring. Reports then said Taker looked at Punk as living up to his name... more of a disrespectful, unappreciative punk than a professional like a WWE employee was supposed to be. The bad blood would last until Punk and Taker had a series of critically acclaimed matches with each other. Taker would admit that working with Punk gave him a new found respect for the man, and it's been smooth sailing ever since.
Columnist/Podcaster/Director at LordsOfPain.net for nearly seven years, with nearly 2000 total columns written. Interviewed and/or involved in interviewing the likes of Tyler Black/Seth Rollins (twice), Diamond Dallas Page, Jimmy Jacobs, Christopher Daniels, Uhaa Nation and more.
