The CM Punk Situation: Was He Right to Walk Out on WWE?

[@Sanguiluna]

WWE has said that as far as they're concerned, their wrestlers are "independent contractors", not employees. By virtue of that, then WWE can't legally do anything to keep Punk wrestling for them. If they don't want to treat their talent like employees, they can't complain if their wrestlers choose not to treat them like employers.

[@Cenamark2]

When will WWE release The Self Destruction of CM Punk?

[@sayElectronica]

Vince never honored his 20 year contract with Bret Hart. A lot of corporations don't honor their contracts. Why can't a talent decide to not honor a contract while the corporations clearly don't always honor them? (+)

[@exiaR2x78]

Not to mention how shit there contracts are, 90 day none compete yet your treated as an independent contractor so have no benifits

[@Rucker1980]

I been saying that forever, why is it only on the employee to be "honorable and professional" when the company can just walk over them anytime they want?

[@exiaR2x78]

***** WWE more or less does that anyway, I mean wwe network $9.99 a month great for fans but Talent havent even been told how it will effect there pay offs which I have to think it will. plus 90 day none compete clause which means 90 days/3 months only being able to work none televised indie shows and have no income yet when contracted dont get benifits because theyre "independent contractors" i cant remember who said it in an interview but the line was "the guy scrubbing the toliets in the arenas have more benifits then the wrestlers"

[@AWrestlingHistorian]

But I got in trouble because after I went on RAW, I went on other shows and spoke about how wrestling in still in the dark ages. They still have no benefits, they’re still called "independent contractors," which I find laughable. You wanna talk conspiracy? How is it that McMahon is able to get away with calling you an "independent contractor" when you’re signed to an exclusive contract. You can’t work for anyone else, and so he doesn’t have to pay Social Security. You gotta pay self-employment tax, which is 15%. There’s a good conspiracy for you." - Gov. Jesse Ventura, 2012

[@BzaafiedTheYatagarasu]

I've been waiting for this Solomonster episode for a while now.

[@iwanttoseemrshow]

On an unrelated note: Batista looks like he needs to get back on the juice. He looks as if the real Batista took a dump and out came this imposter Batista.

[@gangstergook2692]

iwanttoseemrshow it's not 2005

[@nwo2cool]

Punk was right to leave the WWE, but not walking out on Raw when he was advertised. He could've just do a pipe-bomb promo to tell the audience he's quitting or retired from wrestling. Give them a proper goodbye, not just walking out 1 hour before the show. He did screwed the fans over. They paid their tickets to see Punk. That was unprofessional. I remembered in '96, Ultimate Warrior screwed the audience more than twice by no-showing the house shows events where he was advertised. He didn't notified the WWE that he's taking weeks off to mourn for his father. Vince got pissed off that Warrior didn't tell them ahead, and he refused to show up. So, Vince had no choice to fired him again. Warrior departure is worst than Punk.

[@eshswam]

I agree with you on this. Perhaps he should have said, "Im going to retire, thank you."

[@YellowBrickRoad-x1f]

Solomonster sure sang a different tune after Punk finally went on Cabana's podcast and told the story. And it turns, Punk's walk out is what saved WM30.

[@dgenerate707]

lol so true it's funny how people are so judgemental until they hear the other side of the story.

[@xcapro]

Haha Married With Children reference...nice..And totally agree with your point of view on this matter.

[@Shelver92]

10:41 is a Married with children reference with the martians stealing socks. Good one!

[@jonathancoleman7148]

It's funny because Bryan vs hhh opened wrestlemania.

[@tammythomas2137]

It's easy for people to judge who don't put their physical well being on the line 6 out of 7 days a week doing house shows and live shows especially behind a computer. Put yourself in his shoes for a second: You've just done 300+ days in a row of work, you're exhausted, you're sometimes injured but still show up for work and you've rarely had breaks in between those 300 + days. On top of it you've made the boss a crap load of money over the year from merch. Then, Some guy shows up to your work and suddenly gets hired for the highest position in your job that you've been working so hard for only for him to come in and steal all the work you've done and get paid a shit tone more than you make in a year for it. Meanwhile they want to stick you with a non-sense mid card job like as if you're a part timer who doesn't deserve higher than that. Being a worker does not mean saying how high when the boss says jump, it's about doing your job while making sure you get treated fairly. Too many people let themselves get bent over by their actual jobs be it wrestler or any job for that matter. Sticking up to the boss once in a while and saying no is not a bad thing. Was it a selfish move? Yes, no denying that. But he has a right to be considering almost all of his life revolves around doing stuff for other people. A man can put his foot down every now and then. WWE fans have really become distant with what it means to be a wrestler these days and how much of a toll it takes. Vince spits in the faces of the wrestlers who work all year around and I'm surprised not more wrestlers have walked out because of this. And don't get me started on the New Age Outlaws whom are probably hated backstage right now in the tag team division for the same reason.

[@tthomaselli2]

8:42-9:05.; Both myself & Doug from rvdtito4life thought/said the exact, same thing & I'm a C.M. Punk fan.

[@Rucker1980]

the wwe has the right to release talent before the contract is up, talent has the same right.

[@tthomaselli2]

+chris rucker C.M. Punk only had until about July/August of 2014.; He could've hung in there those last several months before his contract expired... That's just me, though--personally.

[@Rucker1980]

tthomaselli2 according to him, he was suffering from a misdiagnosed staph infection. But that's irrelevant and so was his contact status. The fact is, he was an independent contractor and was free to go whenever he wanted

[@tthomaselli2]

+chris rucker I heard about the staph infection through The Solomonster's podcast.; That had to've been a real pain in the butt to deal with.

[@Rucker1980]

tthomaselli2 considering where the infection was, truer words were never spoken

[@Assenayo]

Who did he let down in the company? Creative? They are the reason he is leaving.

[@marX7494]

I respect Punk's decision for walking out on WWE. Punk's been working nonstop for 10 years. The guy's burnt out & I don't blame him for leaving. He's been fucked over by the company ever since he got his 1st contract in '05. They stuck him in OVW & didn't even want Punk on TV till Heyman brought him on the main roster and into the shortlived "rebirth" of ECW. Heyman's the only guy who had Phil's back. When Paul left, Punk got screwed over countless time. He won the WHC in '08 and wasn't the top guy, stuck in the mid card. Hell, even when Punk had his historic WWE Championship reign, he was still overshadowed by that kissass posterboy; the real "face of the WWE" Cena. Punk (or Bryan) should have won the Rumble this year and headlined WM XXX. Instead the head of Creative, HHH was gonna put himself in a match with Punk at 'Mania. (Probably burying him and killing all his momentum in the process like at Night of Champions 2011) Punk was right to walk out the way he did. It was a big FU to a company that has treated him like shit since Day One.

[@marX7494]

steiner8burgerston I am not denying The Rock is a kissass like Cena. I agree completely with that. Dwayne is "The Great One" when it comes to kissing Vince's ass. It does piss me off that Rock can come back to WWE after being away for 7 years because he wanted to further his pseudo-decent career as an "Hollywood Actor". Dwayne headlined WM 28 & 29 with boring as fuck SuperCena. Punk was the Champ at WM 28 and should have been the main focus. The attitude of entitlement that Rock and Cena have due to them thinking there still top guys (they're not btw). Vince still treats them that way because crazy old VinnyMac wants to play it safe because Cena & Rock can draw big business for the MULTIMILLION dollar company. Vince should stop being it safe with the ONLY successful wrestling company in the nation. WWE, quite frankly, has no competition and should make Punk or Bryan the true "face of WWE" instead of Orton or Batista. McMahon needs to realize he has to take risks and that Cena, The Rock and guys like them are overused. The fans are demanding a change. Until Vince realizes this, Punk should not come back to the company.

[@nWoWolfpacTV]

I don't agree with WWE confiscating signs...but I also dislike fans chanting for CM Punk when the guy took his ball & went home. I really hope Triple H addresses this situation on Raw & BURIES CM Punk. WWE didn't want CM Punk to leave. CM Punk chose to leave. CM Punk gave WWE no notice & screwed fans who paid money to seen him by not fulfilling his obligations to appear at future events. Who does CM Punk think he is thinking he is above a match with Triple H? so Triple H is a good enough opponent for The Undertaker (on 3 occasions) but he isn't for CM Punk...give me a break. CM Punk was nothing but a cog in the wheel, with delusions of grandeur. CM Punk is also a hypocrite who complained about part timers yet pushed for match with Stone Cold Steve Austin for years. Last but certainly not least who was CM Punk trying to kid pretending to want Daniel Bryan to be the main event WM XXX? he wanted that spot & when he didn't get it he lost his smile. CM Punk isn't main eventing WM XXX & he's got nobody but himself to blame for his shortcomings...skinny MMA wannabe needs to hit the weights. The fact is CM Punk was a mark for believing that he could change the perception of what WWE managements believes should be a top guy. In WWE SIZE MATTERS like it or not - it's always been a big man territory & it always will. You fans can moan all you want but Vince McMahon & Triple H are not going to change their philosophy on the business to please stereotypical smarks - & if you think they will then you're a mark.

[@JohnzViewEnt]

Looks at title...Yes he has a right to walk out. he's not bound to anybody an isnt a slave he's a grown man an can do whatever he wants. WWE is just like a regular job like burger king if you quit then you just fucking quit. It is what it is

[@CometVS]

Bad analogy. In this job, you have a contract and you are expected to abide by it. Punk is getting lots of money, has great perks, and has been giving great opportunities in the past two years. Spare me to feel sorry for him.

[@jrw91]

CometVS He still can do whatever he wants, though. I'm sure he considered the backlash and he'll have to suffer whatever he has coming to him (from a financial and respect standpoint,) but he didn't have to continue if he did not want to. It's apparent that 6 more months was far too much to handle, and I respect his decision.

[@Rucker1980]

CometVS Contracts can be terminated at anytime. yes there consequences, Punk won't be able to wrestle with anybody until this gets hashed out, but I doubt he cares about that. But he's not bound to work if he doesn't want to.

[@Birdzeyeview215]

To me Cm Punk has shown his true colors and i personally won't miss him,he is as selfish as the wrestlers he complains about

[@Rucker1980]

I love how people talk about Rock and the money brought in as if they received a check from any of those Wrestlemanias. If you work at your job 300 days a year almost nonstop and when it's time for promotion they keep letting someone jump ahead after working a couple days a year, yeah you're gonna be pissed. As a fan, they eliminated any reason to invest in the product they put out all year because none of it's going to matter once Wrestlemania season rolls around. Yeah they make money, but how does that benefit me or you. Yeah I see why they do it but all it results in is a stale predictable product with more stagnation to come Since coming back he defended the title against Y2J in a lower card match, the next year he had to carry the Undertaker's dead ass around and now he might have another meaningless match against Triple H? Of course he's disillusioned, it's complete bullshit. I'm glad he left, I wish more people would leave.

[@tammythomas2137]

Exactly. What people don't seem to grasp here by calling him a crybaby and what have you is they don't know what's like to work your ass off at every live event AND house show which is almost 7 days a week all year around with no breaks at all only to get bumped down when some mega star paid way above your own salary shows up for 6-8 weeks and only does one show a week which is probably just 20 minute appearance per each week, it's deflating and I'm surprised not more wrestlers have walked out over this. It's a slap in the faces of those who bust their asses week in and week out all year around for Vince only to have Vince turn around and give the middle finger to them. Good on Punk for leaving! WWE isn't even about wrestling anymore, it's a popularity contest.

[@DrGnockerz]

The fact of the matter is WWE pushes whoever makes the most money and that's The Rock in that case. WWE is a business whose aim is to generate revenue, effort (alone) doesn't generate revenue, demand does. There's more demand for the Rock than there is for Punk. That's the reality of it.

[@Rucker1980]

The reality of it is, while Rock draws alot of money, the WWE does business all year, and now that there is no Rock to bring in that money, it would be nice to have a Punk around to help the carry the load. Too bad he's been alienated because the WWE decided a cheap buck was worth more than their long term prospects. Business isn't just about a short term payday, it's about continuous growth

[@notforone]

***** Exactly. WWE seems to be fixated by short-term revenue, they're ignoring the long-term growth of the business.

[@jennymedrano5104]

***** I'm a big fan of the Rock, but I didn't think it was fair to have him headline WM twice these days. Whether he draws more money is irrelevant. Punk just wanted to headline WM. The Rock has already done that quite a few times. What's wrong with Punk's desire?

[@Alchemygem]

3 years later.. guess they didnt work it out with punk

[@r_a_w_g_e_r]

Going by WWE logic if Bryan wins the Chamber and gets the titles Orton is owed a rematch for the title, and that would be at Mania thus setting up the triple threat with Bryan defending against Orton and Batista, Bryan still looks like the underdog champ and it would still be a huge moment for him if he defended it successfully against Batista and Orton. It puts Bryan over, silences the fans that will likely shit on Orton and Batista and adds another element to the match that will be very interesting to see. One can only hope.

[@gl0087]

Love the Married with Children refference

[@Gootothesecond]

I loved those aliens.

[@saledge]

I completely agreed with you with just about everything especially when you talked about that we are now in an era where the fans are in a revolting mindset. It's very interesting on how the fans at live shows can actually change a talent's position on a major ppv by simply chanting their name throughout the show.

[@ThePalmenator]

Actually WM 23 had a higher buyrate than both WM 27 and 29, only WM 28 broke a record.

[@TheMarshallZone]

The only way to get results is to take action. And if you keep doing the same thing again and again expecting a new outcome you're insane. So the walk out might be disrespectful to other wrestlers and sad for the fans but maybe this combined with fan outbursts will bring about a better future than what the WWE wants to shove down peoples throats.

[@gocanuckurself1]

WWE had something in Punk and Bryan, and even if they didn't either walk out or get injured, WWE never would have realized fully what they had.... The next generation ruined...........

[@wingadept8793]

3:35 Congrats Solomonster. You were ahead of the curve from the start. You called it. It just took him many years but he did return back to WWE.

[@DeadmanInc336]

Never thought I would see the day that the WWE machine would break CM Punk. I can only pray to Randy Savage that this is a brilliant work. But I doubt it. WWE =/= Logic

[@DeadmanInc336]

***** The fact that WWE still hasn't addressed this means that most likely Vince is talking to Punk and trying to smooth things out still. They're still probably working it out. It sure as hell isn't gonna be HHH trying to get Punk back since he couldn't care less. But like I said I seriously hope this is a work even though it's too elaborate and too detailed on WWE's part to be such.

[@notforone]

I agree, I'd never thought I'd see the day where one of the hardest workers in wrestling would leave the company frustrated and broken. To be fair, though, Punk's been non-stop exhaustedly trying his best to bring some form of change- and just when we'd see there was some, it'd be revealed that no, there was none. Punk's second last tweet is simply, "The view never changes." It's sadistic that maybe we've finally started seeing change just when he's 'left'. Hoping this is not a goodbye, but rather a sabbatical, and that he comes back happier and healthier; Hope they both come to terms and agreement. As what we've seen recently through the Ultimate Warrior, life's just too damn short to hold grudges.

[@jennymedrano5104]

***** I think on the Austin thing, if I remember correctly, he left because he didn't want to put Lesnar over. He didn't think Lesnar was ready. But as for the Punk situation, I hope he finds some happiness.

[@DeadmanInc336]

Jenny Medrano Not exactly. WWE wanted Austin to put Lesnar over on a plain ol' weekly episode of RAW. Austin didn't want to do the job on RAW. He had no problem putting Lesnar over. But he wanted to drag it out, build it up to a big feud, and then finally do the job at a pay per view. Ya know? Get people invested and really increase interest in seeing the match. Austin knew this could be a huge match. WWE didn't see it that way though.

[@jennymedrano5104]

DeadmanInc336 Oh, that's what he said on Arsenio Hall. Well, he said he made a big mistake in not staying and put Lesnar over. I thought that's what he was saying because he did say that he thought Lesnar wasn't ready, which he admitted was a mistake on his part. Although if that were the case on putting Lesnar over on a PPV, I don't see how WWE could've not gone with that idea. That's the best way to go.

[@xGodofAcidx]

Anyone get the green men stealing socks off peoples feet reference? Married with Children.

[@dgenerate707]

All of the people defending WWE are jaded, "CM Punk is not honoring his contract". You guys should be asking what the hell is going on in the E that's so bad he would walk out? Look at the BS after Austin left, remember RVD, Jericho, Jeff Hardy and others were getting in trouble for voicing their anger with the company then all of the BS storylines and happenings that occurred afterwards. Austin seen the writing on the wall and left just like Hogan and Rock did just on a more professional level, Mick was supposed to come back in 2002 and chose not to due to Katie Vick. WWE did this to themselves and both Heyman and Cornette predicted this in 09 and 2010, they had so many wrestlers that could've been the next big thing and they just promoted Cena, Orton and Batista. They had MVP, Haas, Shelton, Carlito, Ken Anderson, Masters and so many others, hell the Lita, Edge and Matt situation gave them two huge wrestlers to push, but they squandered the opportunity. Punk and BD got over so big they couldn't deny it kinda like Austin and Mick had with the underground fanbase. Plus they spent so many years teaching their universe to accept whatever but now in just 1 month three screw ups are showing the fans the E isn't so perfect. When Austin left a lot of fans stop watching now that Punk is gone it will be sad if they lose fans but maybe it will help the distant 2 and 3 promotions catch up to WWE.

[@notforone]

"WWE did this to themselves and both Heyman and Cornette predicted this in 09 and 2010, they had so many wrestlers that could've been the next big thing and they just promoted Cena, Orton and Batista. They had MVP, Haas, Shelton, Carlito, Ken Anderson, Masters and so many others, hell the Lita, Edge and Matt situation gave them two huge wrestlers to push, but they squandered the opportunity." Yup.

[@TrueJoeyBowie]

Wait, did he say Extreme Rules (2014) was in Seattle? I thought it was in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

[@gc_helton]

10:41 Married With Children reference!

[@g-vo8926]

why should he honor his deal if he is not happy frustrated or burnt out

[@elway2k]

I am not sure why, CM Punk thinks he should be in the main event at Wrestlemania. Why would the WWE, give someone "the" main event, who's contract expires in July? Overall, I am sure it is just an accumulation of things, but I am sure there are plenty of WWE talent who share the same complaint. Welcome to the business of wrestling guys, it has always been there, and will never change.

[@notforone]

Welcome to the business of wrestling guys, it has always been there, and will never change.  Well, that's actually what Punk wants, he wants it to change. And if people just keep shrugging and accepting the fact that it will never change, instead of taking a stand and wanting some integrity in the business, then you're right, it will never change. I'm glad Punk's taking a stand. He has been voicing his opinions for a while now, I think he got tired of the shit he had to put up with without any results and needed a (well deserved) break.

[@webnovice2012]

Well I paid almost 120$ for two tickets to Raw on March 3 at All State Arena to mostly see Punk and Bryan, and I'll be pissed if Punk won't be there. His return last year at Payback was crazy and I was there to enjoy so I hope he'll be there on March 3rd.

[@joemacgillis8229]

Actually Brock didn't honor his contract. Don't remember that big legal battle happening over his non-compete clause? He didn't honor that commitment. Terms of the settlement weren't disclosed, but neither was Punk's. But by the sounds of Punk, he got everything he want from it.

[@turtlehead2]

Punk lives on a busy street in Chicago. The building he owns has a tattoo studio below his house. They do a lot of business so he has money coming in. Not Wrestlemania money, but money to live.

[@pettycrimes6328]

Completely agree. I sympathize because I know what it's like to have a job you hate and to have to drag yourself to work every day and face a boss who literally is out to get you (and I was doing it for FAR less money), but if you make a commitment you need to honor it. A man is only as good as his word.

[@ghy76764]

punk is taking a stand against the brass , I respect him for that

[@GREENFOXFTW]

Did Solomonster just referenced Married...With Children?

[@JoeyRottenwood]

I have to side with CM Punk on this. I couldn't give a crap about him walking out on a contract; the wrestling business treats their workers like feed cattle and will toss them out on the street the second they have no use for them. They have Punk bumping for a 90 year-old Kane in 2014? I'd walk, too, if I had his money. Once he heals up, he can either go back to the WWE for the loot, or a smaller federation to do it for the art. Punk's not stupid, and he's learned a lot by watching Rock, Brock, and Batista - the real money and power in the business comes from walking out and coming back on as a special attraction on your own terms. Why suffer life on the road when WWE is dumb enough to bribe you to come back on a silver platter?

[@bcelapino]

Nice Married with Children reference.

[@CrashMcCloudX29]

I got a strong feeling that Bryan will be the first guy eliminated from the chamber.

[@TheGlocktimusPrime]

I can sum up why Batista won the Royal Rumble in 3 words..."Guardians of the Galaxy". Why does no one see this. Batista is starring in one of the biggest movies of the Summer. He'll win the belt and tour around during his press tour with it. He's going to be Champ and he's going to last through the summer. The belt is a prop. It means nothing.

[@notforone]

"The belt is a prop. It means nothing." How sad to see WWE have made that to be completely true... after all the legitimacy Punk brought to it while being the champion, for 400+ days.

[@jennymedrano5104]

Maha Actually, what the belt means is more money. I think you get paid more if you're the champion.

[@hikariwalker756]

Batista was supposed to get the treatment that Dwayne Johnson got via when Rock was WWE champion and that have the company go with the movies. But because of the fact that Bryan won the belt, Dave never had the chance to get the perks that Rock had.

[@jennymedrano5104]

Hikari Walker Batista would have gotten the treatment. He just had the misfortune of coming back during the hottest story line.

[@AWrestlingHistorian]

Given the fact that Bryan was downplaying his injury, they should've ran with Batista's title reign, Guardians could've grossed an extra $50 million for its global box office gross.

[@boomboominroom]

I feel like this was kind of a selfish move by CM Punk.

[@RaytheGrayt]

As much as young guys are getting pushed, wwe for some reason is also bringing back older generation guys and while they're helping pushing younger talent they're also putting over the older guys. I could see how punk might get pissed off at that, all starting with the rock situation, and the Batista situation presently. It's not the best way to conduct business, but sometimes a company doesn't learn from its own mistakes and needs to be taught by its employee. Just my perspective and I respect everyone else's opinion regardless if it correlates with mine or not

[@EmoEmu]

A few points of correction... * Chris Jericho did not walk out on WCW partly because he needed the money back then. During that period WWE rarely signed talent for guarenteed money, so potentially he could have been down to barely nothing if they didn't end up using him. * Brock Lesnar did not walk out on his match with Bill Goldberg for several reasons. Brock IS about the money and this was a Wrestlemania 20 payday. He is also good friends with Goldberg. And he was originally booked to go over on Goldberg, but after telling them that he was also leaving, they rebooked the match to let the guy who had been less of an ass on the way out win. Forgot the rest. Damn this cold. Might return with more. I think there was a third point when I began this. ;)

[@ECXV11]

Assuming this isn't a work, which it probably isn't, what CM Punk is doing is very unprofessional. If he wasn't happy then he should honored his commitments and should of left when his contract expired. Guys like Christian, Batista, and John Morrison waited until their contracts expired to leave. I remember Christian even appeared at a PPV after his contract expired in 2005. I think the fans had the choice to vote him for a match. Punk needs to realize that he is not a draw and never will be. When Punk was champ the ratings were the lowest in 15 years, in October 2012 Raw drew a 2.5 rating which at the time was the lowest rating in 15 years. The following week they had to bring back an injured John Cena and Vince McMahon had to return as well. Punk needs to realize he is not that star he thinks he is, he is no Austin, Rock, Hogan, Hart, or even Cena or Batista. Fuck it looks like Daniel Bryan is more of a draw than him. He might have some causal fans here and there but the casual fans, who WWE cares more about, they don't give a single fuck about Punk.

[@anthonyrivera2306]

KZbin recommended me this the day he returns to wrestling in AEW.

[@Gvvm15]

I'm a big Punk fan, but if his contract is due soon and he doesn't wanna work, then he should just honor his contract and choose not to resign.

[@Cenamark2]

And this is why he'll never be as big as Cena. Cena would never do this to the WWE Universe.

[@Rucker1980]

The WWE releases guys all the time before their contracts are up, why doesn't anybody call them out on honoring contracts. Punk didn't wanna stay, so he left, good for him.

[@Cenamark2]

Because it hurts the WWE Universe. The guys the WWE releases are people who nobody cares about. Like that Cold Banana guy.

[@Gvvm15]

***** That makes no sense, it's like blaming someone for getting fired. We both know damn well that Punk chose to go which isn't even close to him being fired.

[@Rucker1980]

guyverrob No it's like blaming someone for getting fired, he chose to quit. My point is, both sides have the right to terminate employment, it's rare that the wrestler will quit because in most cases they need the money

[@azapro911]

Absolutely, he'd been treated atrociously both creatively (in spite of the 434 day title reign) and at the end even medically. WWE no longer knows what to do with a genuinely hot prospect that gets crowds behind them organically, they never run with things like that anymore. Subsequently the ratings have dropped like a stone. Go figure.

[@sdd619]

Brock was still under WWE contract when he left for the NFL. WWE had a lawsuit against him for Wrestling in Japan with out. WWE's permission. That was why Vince & Brock had heat with each other for so many years.

[@LightFromADeadStar]

the company is shit now I don't blame anyone getting fed up and leaving specially if you have to face triple gay and probably end up getting buried

[@Kuudere-Kun]

This is ironic to listen to giving how Bryan and HHH opened WrestleMania and how that worked out.

[@GLITZandGLOOM]

Aliens stealing socks off people's feet hahaha. Sweet Al Bundy / Married... With Children reference.

[@maddoxfanx]

I whole-heartedly support every wrestler walking out on WWE so that the only wrestlers left are Cena, Orton, Batista, and Haitch. It would save WWE a lot of money because those are the only people on the roster that are worth a shit thanks to the writing team's genius booking.

[@KINGCHAMPHHH]

#CMPUNK IS ONE OF THE GREATEST #WWE-WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONS IN #HISTORY!!! BUT IF HE LEFT US FANS & WALKED OUT ON #WM30 CUZ HE THINKS WRESTLING THE GREATEST #HEEL-WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION IN HISTORY #HHH THEN FUCK #CMPUNK #JOHNCENA & #HHH PUT #CMPUNK WHERE HE IS & MADE HIM INTO THE GREAT WORLD.HW.CHAMPION HE IS TODAY!!! #HHH VS #CMPUNK AT #WM30 WOULD'VE BEEN #EPIC & WE ALL WANTED THE REMATCH FROM #NIGHTOFCHAMPIONS-2011 WHERE IT TOOK #HHH THREE-PEDIGREES TO BEAT #CMPUNK NOT LIKE HHH BURIED CM.PUNK THAT NIGHT OR NOTHING!!! #SOLOMONSTER IS A 120% #HHHATER SO TO HELL WITH HIS OPINION!!!

[@RealDealSoulja]

True, even if CM Punk wouldn't of been in the main event, HHH vs Punk would've easily been 2nd or 3rd co-main event after the title match and it would've been a great match if CM Punk would've won. If he was booked to lose to HHH again, than I would of walked out too.

[@KINGCHAMPHHH]

AGREE & DISAGREE #CMPUNK HAS NO RIGHT TO JUST WALK OUT ON #HHH #CENA #WM30 OR US #WRESTLINGFANS WHO'S PUT HIS #MARKASS WHERE HE'S AT IN WRESTLING & LIFE IN THE 1ST PLACE!!! HE'S A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE & VS #HHH WIN/LOSE/DRAW #CMPUNK HAS OBLIGATIONS TO FINISH HIS CONTRACT!!! PERIOD!! #WWE SHOULD SUE HIS #MARKASS IF HE DON'T RETURN!!! & I'M A HUGH #CMPUNK FAN!!! BUT HE'S HIS OWN BIGGEST #MARK

[@spacecowboy883]

He kind of did open WM 30 but he also main evented it so...

[@almightycinder]

One way this storyline works: Bryan and Orton as the last two in the Chamber. Triple H opens the Chamber and attacks Orton and helps Bryan win the belt. Triple H stays heel, Orton turns good, Bryan stays good. Triple H says its best for business. The people don't want Orton as champ, so neither does he. HE doesn't want Bryan, but he has to do what's best for business. Triple H can even yell at the fans over Royal Rumble and tell them he did it specifically because of that because they're ungrateful jerks for not accepting Orton like he thinks they should. Then, we have Bryan vs Batista and Orton vs Triple H at Wrestlemania.

[@shoelesblondlady]

uhhhh hardy was fired from tna? or is that a work that I didn't know about

[@DontBeRidikalus]

It's a Married... with Children reference. Married with... Aliens is the episode.

[@shoelesblondlady]

the reason id say its not a work is because if it were a work..... I don't see them putting it in his storyline to bash the wwe's creative direction and general product.... I think theyre going to have bryan win the title at elimination chamber but I think wwe did it backwards.... they should have had bryan win the rumble and have batista win the chamber. that would have given the wwe universe a full month to see him beat people up and to get used to the idea of batista being thrust back into the main events and wrestlemania. I don't think batista will be full time I bet he will be like rvd and have a stipulation where he gets to take prolonged breaks. I think they should have had a mma invasion and brought brock and batista simultaneously with idk ken shamrock as their manager and other wrestlers who went to mma. didn't Shelton Benjamin do mma? I forget who it was. but you get the idea

[@JETLIFEMUZIK]

Not just that WWE would let him leave bc then EVERY wrestler who feels they deserve more will do the same thing WWE is setting an example and honestly They'll go on with or without punk. Like Vince said in a promo to John Cena "I can make another one of you tomorrow." He can make another punk tomorrow.

[@Xehanort10]

He's trying to make another Cena in Reigns.

[@amp850jayyy]

I am ACM punk fan. And it is kind of hard to stay with the company if you are not getting the pay and respect that you deserve. Just like Jeff Jarrett. But I do understand that he should not of walked out on the company. Mike that so I guess I'm in the middle softness.

[@will75732]

The reason I don't agree with your first half is because while Rock is a big star, and bringing him back was a huge payout for WWE, does that help the indvidual wrestlers in a sense? sure I guess cause if the company does well the wrestlers stay employed, the issue is wrestlers that have been working their asses off for years, Punk who had the title for a very long time was still in a sense sadly a "midcard champion", he didn't headline any shows unless Cena was integrated into the main slot, Dbryan also was kicking ass and also for him who ofcourse beat cena clean and what did they do? they water it down by saying Cena was injured or what have you. All I'm saying is I don't think Phil "Punk" is crying I can see where he is coming from, now should he had waitied till his contract was up sure but at the same token I can totally understand his frustration witha company that seems to betrying hard to not only keep these stars down but also wants to drown away any semblance of character they once had, Punk was someone before wwe found him, so was Dbryan both successful stars in their own right in the indys and ROH Cena was a nobody and he's the face, Dbryan has flying goat tShirts and they expect his merch to sell wwe is fucked up

[@TheCs19871]

I did get the little green martian joke with the socks it was one of my favorite episodes of married with children lol that was classic....They have to put the title on bryan at the chamber so it can be a triple threat for the title at mania because orton vs batista at wrestlemania 30 dosent sound so good thats a match for like monday night raw or a pay per view like payback or battle ground

[@greetings.haveaniceday.7162]

Vince didn't let him say goodbye

[@bieberninja1]

13:49 why have any form of sympathy for people who have so much money that they can sabotage their company on a weekly basis and still make money hand over fist like there is no tomorrow

[@ThEOneEnIgMaYT]

I can see Punk being upset but not enough to walk out hours before a live raw! they probably had to re write most of the damn show because he walked out. Like you said and I even heard it on Austins podcast he admitted doing just that was a major mistake he made in his career. Even if punk is beat up or upset the guy needs to realize he has gotten everything he wanted over the last few years including that damn theme song lol. I see punk coming back I do but come on we were two months from Wrestlemania and I agree I bet a shit load of people bought tickets to events just to see Punk. At the end of the day the guy needs to at least honor the contract before leaving so everyone has time to prepare for his departure.

[@shyhog]

Not everybody is meant to be the top guy or a top guy. Some guy are meant to just do a job. Look at Heath Slater, he is a pure jobber but he looks like he enjoys his position.

[@kinocodner4307]

***** d-bry is meant to be a top guy wwe just gives him shit booking i mean the chant he created is one biggest things going in wwe now

[@ECXV11]

I actually find Slater's character

[@notforone]

"Not everybody is meant to be the top guy or a top guy" And you're meant to stay middle position with that attitude. However, if you fight for what you believe in...

[@83jdc1]

I don't understand y its not the 30th anniversary of mania

[@drackbaby]

Its the 29th anniversary of WrestleMania. WrestleMania 1 was in 1985 and WrestleMania 2 was in 1986 and is the first anniversary of WrestleMania. There has to be complete year for anything to actually have an anniversary. Technically WrestleMania has only been around for 29 years even though this is the 30th Mania.

[@83jdc1]

drackbaby ok I got it thanx

[@K3eOne]

Omg CM punk is such a crybaby ALTHOUGH i understand what he's going through but look at Christian the man has been in the company for about 15 or even more years in the company and is a great worker but doesnt get championship opportunity.... i fucking hope he wins the elimination chamber

[@ECXV11]

Christian left back in 2005 but at least he honored his contract and left when his contract expired unlike Punk.

[@K3eOne]

***** I know... and CM punk held the championship for more then 400 and something days...WTF Christian only held it FOR 2 DAYS..... and even remained in the company for 15 years....THATS TAKES ALOT of patience and Christian even knows he's being fucked around and he still wants to be successful.... I feel so sorry for him and Punk mostly everything, man look at Christian.

[@jennymedrano5104]

As long as he is happy and healthy, then, you know, good for him! He can take some time off, regroup, and hopefully, find his passion again for the business. He could be in the best shape of his life physically, but if he's not happy or mentally in good shape, it will be a disaster. No amount of money is worth not being happy.

[@Cenamark2]

CM Punk is such coward. He left because he's scared of Dave Batista. Batista was going to destroy him in a match.

[@jeremiahmitchell6420]

Scripted

[@stephensmith6773]

>Name is Cenamark2 >Obvious troll is obvious.

[@TonyMontana-ec6kt]

people want change they want to see the right people get pushed and main events what better way than cm punk leaving honor his contract? why wwe can release a wrestler whenever they want ? wheres the honor there 434 title reign he wasn't even main eventing, as wwe a champion you should close the show, cm punk swallowed the bitter pill he didn't mind I believe cm punk is the best packaged wrestler in the world bryan mic skills needs improving a lot, in my humble opinion i even think ortons better than bryan on the mic as for matches cm punk had the best matches last year. so even technically cm punk is better why his upset because theres no direction and his character is getting nowhere. kane was out of the rumble eliminated by punk but comes back and eliminates punk don't even know if thats possible as he was out of the match and there is no follow up to that on raw. punk just had his 100th meaningless match against the shield he put over roman for the 3rd or 4th time. it's just ridiculous how they treat punk bryan their two biggest stars

[@jeremiahmitchell6420]

He said it was the year of Bryan. I could see WWE withholding the main event in Wrestlemania to encourage him to sign again, as that was his last stated goal. He was probably tiring of the manipulations that promoters must do to motivate their talent. I could see a respect issue between him and HHH (like HBK and Hitman) brewing for years as well. Between his AND Bryan's scheduled matches I could see his frustration. He often has championed other talent and no doubt Bryan's treatment and the crowd at the Rumble played into this. We don't know what Vince said and to me that is most telling. WWE leaked this on purpose. My question; why can WWE fire at a whim but talent is "wrong" for firing WWE? That contract most assuredly is in suspension and WWE is protected.

[@DionteCharleston]

People should not hate dave batista its not his fault that wwe wanted him to win the royal rumble you should be mad at hhh and vince they the ones

[@Mcfly88]

there's not paying attention to details and there's not having all the details. Not having all the right answers leads to asking the right questions, that's skepticism...

[@guess6635]

I wonder if it's still a work to those corporatists🤔

[@NATIONALCOMMUNISM666]

one of the things that relly pisses me off is yt shadow blocking I left sevrial comment A few year ago on this thread an not A one of them took what the hell is wrong with this site how it even possiable that A site doe's this an I know that what it is cause it done this else where.

[@Darius7500]

I Have No Sympathy For WWE after they continue to shove cena down our throats... I Have Cenough Of Cena.

[@juliolopez6289]

sweet al bundy reference solomonster.BIzuzu

[@MrAlasalle]

Big E Langston, Roman Reigns, Alexander Rusev, John Cena, Brock Lesnar, Batista, It's a "Big Guy" year so far. CM Punk has always been unhappy when the big guys get the main storylines. Daniel Bryan getting removed from WM is just a excuse so Punk can bitch 'n moan because he isn't front in center with story arcs. HE ALWAYS DOES THIS lol.

[@shonuffdamasta3791]

Nice married with children reference solomonster!

[@Sam1c9797]

And triple h's match did open mania......

[@LibertyPrimeV1]

My only qualms about this guy, is that he speaks like Mark Madden, without the heavy breathing.

[@rebal180]

Orton needs to lose the belt in the Chamber. I don't want to see that bull shit Orton/Batista match.

[@michaeldickinson7101]

The main reason most of you on here are saying he should've stayed on his contract or that he was a bitch for quoting is because you are a fan of his and you want to see him again. Which is fine, I want to watch him too because he's incredibly good at what he does, but that doesn't change the fact that he has a job and he didn't want to do it anymore so he left it. Simple as that, he doesn't owe the company or the fans shit. He probably doesn't care what you think with his 7.5 million dollar net worth. Stop talking about it because he's not coming back.

[@TexarkanaBraveHeart7615]

These things could have been averted If the WWE had competition, I had high hopes for TNA. but we all know how that is turning out(Like Shit) Had High Hopes for ROH, but ROH strangely doesn't have a lot of support as you may think, Its NICHE ,kinda like ECW was, therefore no threat to Vince. another possibility , is the rumored Company that might be started by Jeff Jarrett/Toby Keith (I hope jeff has learned his lesson from the tons of TNA mistakes) I don't wanna See PUNK return to WWE , Punk has everything in WWE ,except Main event WrestleMania and lets face it, even if does come back, do ya think Vince is just gonna forget about him walking out before WM 30, I don't think so, He may not have burned a bridge, but he set it on fire.

[@madhausable]

$90 to get pictures, meet Ric Flair and have tonnes of fun? Sounds like a good deal to me. Come to Australia where you won't even get in the door for a wwe event for $90

[@rejachemno]

I am glad he left. There is no sense in working in a miserable state of mind. Even Y2J said it might lead to injury. Hope Punk leaving is turned into a positive outcome for the fans. Maybe a consistent change will occur.

[@hikariwalker756]

Solomonster is correct, if you noticed, guys like Jericho, Benoit and Eddie all held out in their jobs at WCW - Benoit was pushed to be WCW champion and Jericho had the fued with other wrestlers before they all left. Lesnar was the same - he did not leave an hour before the Wrestlemania match with Goldberg even though he jobbed out to Goldberg. That's the big difference between those names and CM Punk is that Punk is such a crybaby who throws his toys out of his pram.

[@002random]

+Hikari Walker (TheSuperSentaiGamerGirl) Punk was right to walk out. Why don't you try having a match with Ryback where he injures your ribs, you get surgery, and you have a tlc match or ladder match with Ryback 2 weeks later when you need at least 6 week to completely heal/recover from your surgery?

[@Nooblet92Ca]

+random person im not a fan of cm punk but I agree with gim in leaving when ever he wants fk that contract shit you think wwe will keep promises on all of thier contracts hell nom

[@KrazyKarp]

Come on guys lest get CM Punk To TNA

[@stevenmillan9220]

CM Punk should just do what Brock Lesnar did: take a break from wrestling and work for a few years in the UFC(since Punk fights more like an MMA fighter than a wrestler),and then return to the WWE a few years later,with a limited work schedule and higher pay.

[@prophetkillz]

Only point made that does make or sound real is the axxess situation. But its not like they haven't done that before. But other than that Idk

[@Dxsmp]

idk ppl saying orton vs bastista going 2 be bad, i dun really see tht plus i live in Louisiana i doubt ppl are going 2 hate tht match since alot of ppl in the N.O ppl like orton and bastista

[@davewatson1211]

Your hard to like easy to love cause when I get my confidence under my feet you scramble me like a western omelette.

[@Itsdjgc]

tbh wwe did him wrong i mean i dont blame him for leaving i mean so what if he wants another title run the man deserves it he lost it to the rock i mean the dude just comes in and just takes the belt just like batista look at the roster they bst here ass for the company and for batsita to come in and win the rumble tf? :/ punk should be at the main event at maina just like bryan and dolph

[@robertjackson1987]

Lol. "HHH vs Bryan would never open the show" Proceeds to open WM 30.

[@remmag8mm]

Here's the thing the only two ppl that know what was said and happened in that office is Phil and Vince. So who knows what will happen

[@thanosmot6293]

I think that if Daniel Brayn didnt get the push on summer slam cm punk would get the push...