Was CM Punk’s Pipebomb Promo A Shoot?

In the WWE produced documentary Best in the World, Punk claims the 27th June episode of Raw was his second to last TV taping and he was feeling jubilant – which only improved when a writer approached him and told him that he was being given a live microphone to air his grievances, which he called:

“An entire WWE career of frustration being just let out, and not just mine. Every diva and superstar in the back, every person who was released unjustly. I think everyone who has ever worked here has felt frustration.”

It had been reported that Punk’s contract was coming due on the night of Money in the Bank and this was then used as part of the storyline. Dave Meltzer wrote in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

“Punk’s contract actually expires a few days before the PPV but signed an agreement to stay on through [Money in the Bank]…Where things stand on Punk’s negotiations are being kept very close to the vest. WWE creative has been told Punk finishes up [after Money in the Bank]. Those with knowledge of the situation said that he has not signed a new deal, but that they are in negotiations for a new deal.”

Punk confirmed this in the Best in the World documentary, saying he only signed the extension for Money in the Bank if he was in the main event.

In an interview with Marc Maron – recorded before he left the company in 2014 – Punk again stressed the promo was a shoot saying,

“It was the most dangerous attitude to have: I don’t give a f**k. What are they going to do, fire me? I’m not re-signing.”

He also added that Vince McMahon showed him more respect for it afterwards saying,

“Vince is the kind of guy who lives by the law of the jungle. Only the strong survive, lion is the king of the jungle. It’s weird, but that’s who that guy is. If you’re a pussy, he doesn’t got time for you. He’ll walk all over you.”

The promo caught a lot of attention from the wrestling world, with veterans of the business like Steve Austin, X-Pac, Mick Foley and JBL praising his work. But only a handful of people believed that Punk just cut a truly real shoot promo.

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