WWE Raw: Is CM Punk the Biggest Sellout in WWE?

This past Monday night on Raw, Daniel Bryan accused CM Punk of being the biggest sellout in WWE, saying,

"

What happened to you, Punk? I used to respect you. You've changed. You call yourself 'The Voice of the Voiceless,' yet you pander to everybody.

"

CM Punk responded by saying he hasn't changed at all since his June 27, 2011 promo—where he voiced his frustrations with the WWE brass and landscape.

The definition of a "sellout" is "anyone who sacrifices integrity in an effort to become more successful or popular." 

Is CM Punk a sellout?

I think "sellout" is too strong of a word to use with regards to pro wrestling—where the lines between kayfabe and reality are often blurred. But anyway, it depends. If you think wrestlers have the freedom to be who they want to be and do what they want to do, you could probably call CM Punk a sellout.

Let's take a look at what CM Punk told the WWE Universe during his June 27, 2011 promo:

"

Let me get something straight. Those of you who are cheering me right now, you are just as big a part of me leaving as anything else. Because you’re the ones who are sipping on those collector cups [which he isn't featured on] right now. You’re the ones that buy those programs that my face isn’t on the cover of. And then at five in the morning at the airport, you try to shove it in my face and get an autograph and try to sell it on Ebay because you’re too lazy to go get a real job.

The reason I’m leaving is you people. Because after I’m gone, you’re still going to pour money into this company. I’m just a spoke on the wheel."

Like I wrote in a previous article, "after telling the fans that they were a big reason why he planned to leave WWE after Money In The Bank, CM Punk now smiles to fans and fishes for cheers."

That's change, if you ask me. He was a heel last summer. Now, he's a baby face.

How can we explain the change? In my opinion, there are four possible reasons for the change.

1) CM Punk didn't mean what he said about fans

2) CM Punk has naturally come to like the fans

3) CM Punk has changed his act in an effort to become more successful or popular (sold out), or

4) WWE forced CM Punk to change

Considering CM Punk is a bit of a jerk on Twitter (where people are usually honest), I believe he meant what he said during his promo. I also believe that there's a good chance that he has naturally come to like the fans. People change.

However, I think the best explanation for the change is that WWE won't allow CM Punk to be himself and has forced Punk to change in an effort to capitalize on Punk's appeal (as if he weren't appealing as a heel). For that reason, I can't fault CM Punk for changing, and I certainly can't call him a "sellout."

Share your thoughts!