#4 “I am the best wrestler in the world.” — CM Punk on June 27, 2011 in WWE
CM Punk was already many WWE fans’ favorite wrestler before June 27, 2011. As a mat purist with a counterculture aesthetic and a drive to always have the best match on the card, The Straight Edge Superstar was the champion of a loyal fanbase that had been following him since his days as the king of the independent wrestling scene. But during the course of a passionate, honest tirade in Las Vegas, Punk went from cult hero to the biggest breakout star of the new decade.
With unprecedented references to Ring of Honor, New Japan Pro Wrestling, the hard truths of locker room politics, the hierarchy of WWE and a shoutout to his best friend — a former WWE competitor — Punk announced himself as the most exciting sports-entertainment rebel since “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and launched WWE into a brave new world. We’re still waiting on those ice cream bars, though.
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