5 biggest mistakes WWE made with CM Punk

#4 Mishandling The Straight Edge Society: CM Punk's own cult (2010)

This might be an unpopular opinion, but this was my all-time favorite version of CM Punk.The Straight Edge Society logo would be my profile pic on everything back in the day lmao pic.twitter.com/ZVQZF1rbw2

— daveedo-san 🏳️‍🌈🤙🏻 (@davidj_alaniz) August 20, 2021

WWE built on CM Punk's 2009 rivalries with Jeff Hardy and The Undertaker by giving him a stable. This led to one of the most underrated periods of his career. Punk was the leader of The Straight Edge Society - a group based on his lifestyle of no alcohol, no smoking, and no drugs.

He "rescued" Festus and converted him into Luke Gallows, while also recruiting Serena and Joey Mercury. The Straight Edge Society had a very cult-like feel to it, with Punk becoming an overly psychotic and creepy preacher. Some of his promos were excellent, particularly during the 2010 Royal Rumble Match.

He dominated the start of it and delivered a sermon between entrants. However, WWE did not go all the way with the stable despite its potential. CM Punk should have become World Heavyweight Champion during this run, instead of his highest-profile moment being a loss to Rey Mysterio with his hair on the line.

Fun fact about CM Punk. I actually refused to drink for years because of his straight edge society gimmick. pic.twitter.com/OzNTZbKzjp

— Gareth (@RHWGareth) August 20, 2021

The wheels fell off The Straight Edge Society train following a three-on-one handicap match loss to The Big Show at SummerSlam. Soon afterward, Punk turned on Gallows and defeated him. This was a complete waste of potential, ending in a complete whimper.