WWE: The Rock's Retort and 9 Other Twitter Reactions to CM Punk's Worked Shoot

The genius of CM Punk is still a trending topic on the Internet with members of the IWC still speculating as to the legitimacy of Punk's harsh words.

This issue has already been talked about in depth on the Bleacher Report so I have decided to add something different to this debate by discussing the various tweets about the promo from wrestling personalities.

First of all, I would like to give Vince McMahon the credit for having the guts to push the envelope and to give Punk a live microphone.

While it was clear Punk did go off-script to an extent, the spoilers from next week's Raw prove that this was a part of the angle.

Several wrestling stars, past and present, have had something to say on the matter and their comments are intriguing.

John Bradshaw Layfield

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"CM Punk’s promo-shoot or work? Who cares? When you are so good that you can put that doubt in viewers minds you have done your job very well"

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It seems JBL went through the same thought process as most wrestling fans after watching the promo.

It is a testament to the strength of the segment when you can make John Bradshaw Layfield second guess himself. 

MVP

MVP left the WWE because he did not want to be involved with a company where "wrestling" was a dirty word.

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"My verdict after watching the @CMPunk promo, he just had his Austin 3:16 moment. Don’t f–k this one up WWE" 

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Montel Vontavious Porter has an interesting point to make in comparing Punk and Austin's promo work.

His sarcastic anti-WWE comment has its basis in truth as Vince McMahon is notorious for not fully capitalizing when there is serious money to be made.

We can only hope that the WWE will continue to do the right thing with CM Punk.

Bret Hart

Bret Hart was involved in one of the most controversial shoots of all time during the Montreal Screwjob in 1997.

The "Hitman" said that the "best promos were the ones that feel real."

Hart is a vehement critic of the cutting-edge content of the "Attitude Era" and remains a firm supporter of old-fashioned, family-friendly wrestling.

This makes his praise for Punk surprising and he even tweeted: 

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"Can't help but feel like @CMPunk leaving WWE is like Steve Carrell leaving 'The Office'"

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This is interesting from a well-known supporter of John Cena's position with the company.

Tazz

Former WWE announcer and current TNA color commentator, Tazz, had some interesting comments detailing his relationship with Punk:

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Punk did a great job & I always liked him when we were in wwe together and his work! But I must say...There r many of us who were NEVER pushed to the level Punk was & were NEVER allowed to shoot like that, he's lucky he was allowed to do that But it was very strong & real!! I liked a lot! Good stuff Punk!

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Daniel Bryan

Bryan Danielson has a long-standing relationship with Punk that dates back to their time in ROH and he tweeted:

"With revolution dripping off his lips with every word, @CMPunk was a god last night."

As a former independent star and a well-known "wrestler's wrestler," much of what Punk said would have rang true for Daniel Bryan.

His condonement of Punk's actions is the final proof that this was a worked shoot as Bryan would not want to lose his job again. 

Chris Jericho

For years, Chris Jericho set the standard in terms of heel promos and this comment represents a passing of the torch.

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"Congrats to @cmpunk and Vince McMahon for doing something tonight that hasn’t been done in awhile…make history."

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Interestingly he acknowledges Vince McMahon's role in the most talked-about promo of the year.

Mick Foley

Mick Foley was one of the wrestling business' great thinkers and few could cut a thought-provoking promo like the "Hardcore Legend."

Foley brought intelligence and feeling to his promos and they never failed to engage a crowd.

His tweet is another show of support for Punk's mic work and they do not come much better than Mick Foley.

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"I have no idea where this @cmpunk thing might go, but I know I’ll be watching. Captivating stuff"

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Foley has often criticized the WWE product so he must hold CM Punk and his talents in high regard.

Stone Cold Steve Austin

Stone Cold Steve Austin was the original anti-hero and his promos were known for hitting close to the mark.

Stone Cold can perhaps claim to have mastered the art of the worked shoot, and many felt that the WWE was trying to recreate the magic of "Austin 3:16."

Indeed the fact that Punk was sporting an Austin tee-shirt lends support to this theory.

Austin was of the opinion that:

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"@CMPunk just melted my 52 inch TV with a scorching hot promo...delivery, content, and attitude...one of the best promos I've ever seen."

"Ladies and germs-I have no idea why @CMPunk wore my shirt tonite...but it looked damn good on him...thanks @AverageJoeArt for the design."

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Unlike the Rock, Austin recognizes true genius at work and a compliment from Stone Cold himself is high praise indeed.

Shawn Michaels

HBK actually interacted with Punk at the start of the show and the man who is no stranger to controversy had his say on the matter:

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"2 words 4 @CMPunk- thata boy. Felt like old times. Anywho, back 2 my normal life, tweet u on touchdown:-)"

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Michaels reiterates what most people have already opined: this felt like something from the "Attitude Era."

Hopefully it will usher in an edgier, more controversial version of the product that will create major talking points week in and week out.

The Rock

The "Great One" was a victim of Punk's verbal tirade and the Rock angrily replied with this tweet:

"CM Punk: it's simple business - The Rock is the main event at Wrestlemania cause it draws more money in one night, then u will in lifetime."

Dwayne has clearly taken offense to Punk's words and he may feel the need to defend his role in the company.

His appearance at WrestleMania 27, while somewhat exciting, went on for far too long and it meant that wrestlers like Punk, Ziggler, Morrison and Barrett did not get the chance to strut their stuff.

It was these men that worked hard all year to sell tickets for house shows and to promote the company. Yet their spot at WrestleMania is taken by a tired old promo delivery that we have heard before.

CM Punk has a reason to complain about the Rock's involvement at WrestleMania 28 and while it will be a dream match between the "People's Champion" and John Cena, there are others more deserving of headlining the biggest show of the year.

The Rock has decided to combat the personal insults with an insult of his own: that Punk cannot draw money.

While this claim may be true in that Punk cannot match the Rock's mainstream popularity, the "Straight-Edge Superstar" will always have a cult following.

It will be interesting to see how this war of words develops and whether Punk will attempt to combat the claims made by the Rock.