I don’t get CM Punk...

[NOwave]

To start with, I’ll admit 2 things:

1) I’ve never been a big fan of Punk, but I acknowledge his appeal to a significant % of the audience
2) I haven’t followed WWE closely in some time.

That being said, why is CM Punk’s recent behavior considered to be such a big deal by at least some of the audience and some wrestling critics. He seemed to be in a long-running battle with WWE management that was at least partly non-kayfabe over a variety of things. Some of those issues were still unresolved by 2014, and he was physically exhausted by several chronic, nagging injuries, so he decided to take time off. Then, after resting up a bit, he decides to try MMA.

Why is this considered a surprise, or a big deal? Wrestlers have always taken time off to heal chronic injuries, even champions/Main Eventers on occasion. (Undertaker, Shawn Micheals in recent years; Terry Funk and Jack Brisco going back aways) And, wrestlers have always sought out other ventures. MMA wasn’t around in the 1960s-1970s, but plenty of guys then went back and forth between pro football and wrestling. (Wahoo McDaniel, Ernie Ladd, any number of mid-card guys) Finally, guys have had running disagreements with promoters for decades. (Bruiser Brody, Bruno Sammartino)

So why is Punk’s behavior so noteworthy? What am I missing?

[Deleted]

Most of the guys you mentioned didn't have one boss during their heyday, a boss that had practically a monopoly on the industry.

Wahoo and Big Cat could go to different places in the wrestling world. Punk really can't, not if he wants the same sort of money.

Plus, it's rare that someone has gone on record the way that he has and outlined just why he decided to leave and the conditions he found himself in.

[Andrew is Good]

-He was constantly asked to stay and basically he was trying to be the good soldier.

-His interviews showed the issues of ineptitude and ego in WWE that hadn't been heard like that from a top guy.

-He could have died.

[NOwave]

Most of the guys you mentioned didn't have one boss during their heyday, a boss that had practically a monopoly on the industry.

Wahoo and Big Cat could go to different places in the wrestling world. Punk really can't, not if he wants the same sort of money.

Plus, it's rare that someone has gone on record the way that he has and outlined just why he decided to leave and the conditions he found himself in.

All true, and it makes since. I guess CM Punk’s actions are basically just a symptom of the current state of the business.

Clearly, the business is much different (weaker) overall, than it’s been in probably 60 years. Although a handful of the top guys make lots of money, only something less than 100 guys can make a full time living. And only one promotion is making a significant profit. In 1980, there were 15-20 promoters around the country who were doing very well-several became millionaires.(Graham, Crockett, Muchnick, Jarrett, etc) And there were around 500 guys making a full-time living, with probably 5 times that many working part-time. More fans saw more events live and there were more televised shows and more TV viewers overall.

As a result, McMahon and the WWE have leverage over the wrestlers that was unknown 35 years ago. It’s certainly seems unusual in that light for a wrestler to burn his bridges like Punk apparently has.

[Deleted]

I think that it also has to do with who he is.

Like him or not, the guy held the WWE Championship for over a year. He's wrestled the Undertaker at Wrestlemania. He delivered the most celebrated promo of this generation and he was the indy boy that made good.

When he left, it was a huge deal. One of their biggest stars left under mysterious circumstances; this day and age, with wrestling at a nadir, it was bound to grab the attention of the wrestling world.

[Lupin the Third]

I exploit you. Still you love me. I tell you one and one makes 3. I'm the Cult of Personality...