CM Punk Legacy: Overrated or Underrated?

[The Rick Jericho]

As time moves on, it seems when it comes to Punk's legacy, it's quite divided. Some say his work, especially during the pipebomb era did age so well. He didn't have a long window at the top. And when he was champion, he was treated as a very secondary like character.

And of course the way it ended with the doctor and leaving WWE. He's barely mentioned by the company, so it's kind of like an out of sight, out of mind kind of thing.

So to you, his body of work, from 2006 - 2014, where do you stand on his WWE legacy?

Massively overrated or completely underrated and ahead of his time?

[freeze Austin]

He's probably appropriately rated by most fans, but of the two options I'll go with underrated because in-ring I think he got a lot more out of what someone with his athletic ability should've. He was a world class promo and made it to the top and got over in a way that few guys in his era were able to despite not having a ton of connections in the wrestling business/WWE prior to joining it, not being big or having the typical WWE Champion look (though he did have a unique look), having an erratic control freak boss that loves to script everything, and I think even Punk would admit he didn't have the best personality backstage and wasn't the easiest guy to get along with.

At the end of his run you could tell he was really struggling with injuries and his dissatisfaction with his positioning on the card, and I think he probably got out at the right time for his time to be remembered fondly and leave those who enjoyed him wanting a little more.

[Hit Girl]

Overrated, but still badly booked.

[GuyOfOwnage]

Neither. I feel like overall, he's rated exactly where he deserves to be.

[Deleted]

He’s remembered about where he should be. It’s crazy he’s been gone almost as long as his entire run there and we’re still talking about the guy, with a big chunk of us wanting him to return.

[john84]

I'm also in the camp of thinking he's rated overall at the level he should be, so if that was an option I'd have voted that way.

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

He's in the middle

People realize his flaws and stopped putting on a pedestal but he was also really damn good when he was hitting and broke through that Cena ceiling not many people could

[The Dark Order Inferno]

'He's good, but not as good as he thinks and what has he done for ne lately?'

Like Bret and others who left wrestling under a cloud, he'll be far better regarded by the fandom should he return for one more match or HOF induction. Until then, everything he says and does will be proof he's bad and deserved every bad thing that happened.

[fw91]

Hard to say. As a talent he was an attention grabber that we haven’t really seen the likes of since sans the Yes movement. But I think he is a bitter soul that thinks he’s the only voice of reason. I don’t think his vision for a better product is as interesting as he thinks it would

[A Platypus Rave]

kinda... overrated, underrated, and rated... depending on who you are talking about

[BatPunk]

I think big question of ‘what if’ is reasonable during the Summer of Punk booking leads me to hit underrated.

[Pooh Carlson]

I think his in ring run is properly rated. I think he'll probably be underrated for the impact he had on he business. I feel like he was the beginning of the modern day smaller worker being on top. If he hadn't gotten over and worked out the way he did, would guys like Daniel Bryan, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and a big chunk of NXT have gotten the opportunities they did?

[Deleted]

Jul 7, 2021 18:35:36 GMT -5 Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) said:

He's in the middle

People realize his flaws and stopped putting on a pedestal but he was also really damn good when he was hitting and broke through that Cena ceiling not many people could

This.

It's just a matter of where each individually places this line. I'd say that's legendary status but that's not legendary on the same tier as an HBK or anyone above him. He's whatever tier you'd place a Roman Reigns. He's dope but he's he's faults. Still that doesn't account for what he's done for not only WWE but for the business as a whole. He's someone.

[RI Richmark]

Need a "Rated" option.

[fw91]

Jul 7, 2021 17:39:06 GMT -5 freeze Austin said:

He's probably appropriately rated by most fans, but of the two options I'll go with underrated because in-ring I think he got a lot more out of what someone with his athletic ability should've. He was a world class promo and made it to the top and got over in a way that few guys in his era were able to despite not having a ton of connections in the wrestling business/WWE prior to joining it, not being big or having the typical WWE Champion look (though he did have a unique look),

This cannot be undersold imo. Probably, Much to Punk's own chagrin, the reason why he was huge star was primarily for attributes he thinks are secondary towards success.

[Fade is a CodyCryBaby]

Somehow, he’s both.

[King (Super) Dragunov]

Jul 7, 2021 22:21:59 GMT -5 Fade is a CodyCryBaby said:

Somehow, he’s both.

Right? It's kinda fascinating when you think about it.

[Deleted]

Jul 7, 2021 22:21:59 GMT -5 Fade is a CodyCryBaby said:

Somehow, he’s both.

HHH is another one like that (massively overrated by the company, underrated by the "smarks")

[salz4life]

I think he's rated just fine.

[Allie Kitsune]

At one point was ridiculously overrated, but has fallen back probably to a fair place.