CM Punk leaving WWE in 2014 remains one of the most controversial moments in wrestling history. Fans of WWE loved witnessing Punk become a face of the company in his final few years as a performer. Punk however had his backstage issues with various people in WWE regarding the use of him on television. The night after the Royal Rumble 2014 event saw Punk made the call to leave.
Fans found out about this shocking story on the internet and it extended to live shows. Years of shows for WWE saw fans chant “CM Punk” when upset at something going on whether it’s a boring match or a promo involving one of the people that run WWE. We will look back at some of the bigger details about the incident. Find out just what went down with ten things you need to know about CM Punk’s walkout with a full explanation.
Punk Was Going to Face Kane at Elimination Chamber
CM Punk getting eliminated by Kane in the Royal Rumble match was a horrible last chapter of his WWE career. Fans were already livid, but Punk losing the match saw him moving forward in a feud with Kane representing The Authority.
Kane was no longer a valued wrestler as the audience grew tired of the Corporate schtick. Punk left before WWE could move forward with the plans. The next PPV titled Elimination Chamber was going to see Punk get his revenge on Kane, but he was already too frustrated.
Punk was Expected to Face Triple H at WrestleMania
A recent Instagram post from CM Punk confirmed a longstanding rumor within the wrestling business. Punk was reportedly scheduled to face Triple H at WrestleMania 30 in an attraction match and it was shown in the early match listing for the show as posted by Punk.
One of the comments made by Punk about the decision to leave was that he didn’t want this program. WWE thought it would be a positive move to put him in a huge match against a legend, but Punk had other plans for this future.
Was Physically and Mentally Falling Apart
The physical health of CM Punk was a huge issue when he made the call to leave WWE. Punk suffered various injuries throughout the final years of his in-ring career and claimed he was feeling horrible every day on the road.
The mental element of the WWE schedule was also getting to him after a long run without a break. Punk was a workhorse for the company and clearly needed some time away from the road. This all played a role in his decision.
Did Not Want AJ Lee to Leave With Him
Many fans felt AJ Lee’s departure from WWE about a year after CM Punk came due to his preference. However, she remained on the roster for a long time and pushed as such after her significant other left the company.
Lee made the decision for herself when leaving the company. It likely was quite awkward working for the company that was suing her husband, but AJ waited until the aftermath of WrestleMania 31 to leave. Fans are hoping for Punk and Lee to both return to WWE in the new decade.
Wasted Strong Performance in Royal Rumble
The last match of CM Punk was the Royal Rumble 2014 match where Batista won the title shot at WrestleMania 30. Fans reacted with huge jeers once it was realized Daniel Bryan was not going to be part of the match.
Punk was one of the few remaining wrestlers to get cheers from the audience until his elimination by Kane. The frustrating night played a huge role in Punk losing whatever faith he had left in WWE. No one could have expected the anger to pent up to the point of leaving.
Vince was Heartbroken
CM Punk had a solid relationship with Vince McMahon throughout the years. McMahon always had respect for Punk and loved putting him in a top spot. The problem was Vince still viewed Punk below John Cena and the rotating part-timers that returned for every WrestleMania season.
Punk revealed that McMahon was trying to make things work and didn’t understand just how upset Punk was. The departure caused Vince to deal with the shock of losing one of his biggest stars. Punk didn’t care and felt the need to leave for his own inner peace.
Was Frustrated About Missing Out on Another WM Main Event
The planned WrestleMania 30 main event of Batista vs Randy Orton angered CM Punk that it would be another year he missed out on his goal after his strong momentum could have led him there. Punk remained clear that he felt disrespected about never getting that spot in the top of the card.
The timing for Punk was horrible as WWE already planned The Rock vs John Cena as the main event of both years where Punk was at his peak. WWE’s writing was on the wall that Punk was not going to accomplish his goal which is another reason he left.
Insulted WrestleMania Match with Undertaker
Vince McMahon referenced CM Punk’s WrestleMania 29 match with The Undertaker when Punk discussed his frustration with never main eventing the show. The claim of Vince was that a match with Undertaker was bigger than the main event.
Punk disagreed and still felt that he deserved to have the traditional main event spot of closing the show. Recent years have seen Punk continue to express this story. Most wrestlers would have traded it all to wrestle Undertaker at WM during the height of his undefeated streak, but Punk was over everything WWE related.
Expected to Return at Some Point
CM Punk walking out was implied to be his decision to never come back to the company. However, a recent 2019 Starrcast interview saw Punk reveal that he was suspended without pay when leaving the company without approval.
Punk did not expect to get the termination papers from WWE, especially on the day of his wedding. WWE could have found a way to make it work if they let Punk take some time off and come back when cooler heads would have been able to prevail.
Told off Triple H in Meeting with Vince
The backstage rivalry between Triple H and CM Punk has been reported many times. All reports indicated that the two never got along and clearly didn’t have much love for the other. Punk claimed that he told off Triple H for various things in his meeting with Hunter and Vince.
The belief of Punk was that Triple H tried to ruin his momentum during their singles match shortly after Punk’s red-hot summer. Triple H beating Punk left a bad taste in his mouth and he referenced it during the infamous meeting that led to him leaving the company.