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It's now harder than ever for WWE Superstars to connect with the audience, who are more aware of the inner workings of professional wrestling. Sometimes it is essential to use real-life drama and transcend the confines of a scripted barrier to inject emotion into a feud.
Promos that blur the line between kayfabe and reality are often called "pipe bombs" in reference to CM Punk's legendary promo.
Here are five of the best "pipe-bomb" promos in WWE history:
#5. The "Box with God" promo was one of CM Punk's best as WWE Champion
During the heel portion of his legendary 434-day run as WWE Champion, CM Punk established himself as the best performer in professional wrestling and elevated his microphone skills to a new level. In his corner was Paul Heyman, who had recently returned to WWE as Brock Lesnar's advocate.
The feud with The Rock was the true measuring stick of Punk's verbal prowess. While the Chicago native cut contemporary promos with well-crafted material, The Rock was content to resort to his old routine.
Punk belittled the audience for favoring a dumbed-down version of professional wrestling and forcing talented performers such as Daniel Bryan and Tyson Kidd to adopt silly gimmicks. He then channeled these frustrations towards The Rock, who had come to embody style over substance.
#4. Paul Heyman's Chicago sermon
There was a great deal of anticipation when RAW went to Chicago two months after CM Punk walked out of WWE. Everyone anticipated that this was where Punk would make his comeback as a conquering hero.
However, when the show started with "Cult of Personality," it was Paul Heyman who walked out in the Second City Saint's place. The fans were already furious, but Heyman managed to rile them up even further.
The legendary manager started off by slamming WWE for mishandling Punk. As the audience gradually became captivated by Heyman, he masterfully launched into a diatribe against the Chicago crowd and held them responsible for Punk's absence.
This promo was incredibly entertaining and garnered Heyman and Brock Lesnar a lot of heat heading into WrestleMania 30.
#3. The Miz unleashes on Daniel Bryan
2016 was a banner year for WWE SmackDown as the show delivered a consistently good product every week. It was usually followed by Talking Smack on the Network, where Superstars were allowed to express themselves in an unscripted setting and get their characters across better.
One of the driving forces behind SmackDown's success was The Miz, who experienced a career resurgence with Maryse in his corner. On one episode of Talking Smack, The Miz was criticized for his risk-averse wrestling style by SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan, who labeled the A-Lister a coward.
The Miz took exception to these comments, stating that Bryan's own recklessness forced him into premature retirement and put his health at risk. The Miz also lambasted Bryan for not quitting WWE and joining a promotion that would allow him to return to the ring.
Attacking a beloved character such as Daniel Bryan in one of his most vulnerable moments made The Miz one of the biggest villains on the WWE roster.
#2. Paul Heyman takes a shot at WWE CEO Vince McMahon
WWE's disastrous Invasion storyline wrapped up at Survivor Series 2001 with a five-on-five elimination match that had all the marbles on the line. On the go-home episode of SmackDown before the big pay-per-view, Paul Heyman had a few words for Vince McMahon.
Heyman accused McMahon of building his empire by exploiting and abusing the wrestlers who worked for him. He then berated the WWE CEO for going against his father's wishes and putting some of the country's biggest promoters out of business.
Heyman also claimed that the Attitude Era was extremely derivative of ECW and McMahon had stolen many of his ideas. While many of the WWE head honcho's rivals felt the same way, nobody before Heyman had managed to compile these grievances into an epic promo.
#1. CM Punk shakes up WWE
Nobody believed CM Punk had a chance of making it in the WWE. The Second City Saint just didn't fit Vince McMahon's idea of a WWE Superstar. Despite being on the chopping block in OVW, Punk formed a good working relationship with Paul Heyman, who eventually took him to the newly-revived ECW.
Punk repeatedly proved his naysayers wrong with tremendous performances once he finally got his shot on the main roster. However, for all his efforts, the Chicago native discovered that there was a glass ceiling in WWE which prevented him from fulfilling his potential.
When Punk's contract came due in 2011, he had no desire to sign an extension. He received a WWE title shot against then-champion John Cena at Money in the Bank, which was set to take place in his hometown of Chicago. In the build to the match, Punk quickly set aside any notion that he was just the heel of the month.
Punk promised to leave WWE with the WWE Championship and echoed the sentiments of the hardcore fans, shedding light on the company's failings behind the scenes. This promo instantly turned Punk babyface and elevated his career to the next level.
