Unsurprisingly, CM Punk was a fan of the Dan Boyle pipe bomb.
The former WWE Superstar-turned-UFC fighter was well-known for his acid tongue on the microphone during his time in Vince McMahon's company, and he is also infamous for a malicious tirade he went on when he discussed what led to him leaving the WWE on his friend Colt Cabana's podcast in November of 2014.
Boyle, the Rangers defenseman, sounded more like a professional wrestler than a hockey player to begin his exit interview with the media following what turned out to be a disappointing season for himself and his teammates.
The 39-year-old defenseman was once a great force on the blue line, but his two years in New York were nightmarish at best. Many reporters and fans often criticized Boyle's play, including Larry Brooks of the New York Post.
With the blueliner headed to unrestricted free agency, and possibly retirement, he sounded off on Brooks prior to his interview. After three straight deep springs for the Rangers, the club was ousted in the first round for the first time since the 2010-11 postseason by the Penguins.
Here is a transcript of Boyle's actions via Yahoo Sports:
"I don't want him here," said Boyle, looking toward Brooks.
"What?" Brooks said. "You know, the feeling's mutual, man."
"Nobody likes you. Nobody respects you. Just so you know," said Boyle.
"OK," said Brooks.
"At least I'm leaving here with the respect of my teammates," said Boyle. "Instead of [expletive] someone like you, who tries to bury somebody. That's all you do. It's not a critique. I'm telling you I don't want you here. I have no respect for you. I want you to get the [expletive] out."
"I don't care what you think," said Brooks.
"I can tell you to get the [expletive] out if I want to!" said Boyle, his voice now raised.
"You can, but I don't have to listen to you," said Brooks.
"Yeah, ya do!" said Boyle. "I want him out. And that other [expletive] clown, Brett, or whatever the [expletive] his name is. Where's he at? Everyone else is fine. I want him out. It's my right."
Boyle was referring to fellow Post writer Brett Cyrgalis, who later responded on Twitter:
Response to Dan Boyle? I did my job. Not sure he ever did his.
— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) April 26, 2016
The situation escalated with Brooks saying he would have left if Boyle asked him politely. Brooks then told Boyle to grow up and left to go to another interview, while the defenseman laughed over the reporter's final comments.
There have been mixed reactions to Boyles' rant, with many people chiding him for acting unprofessional and others believing he did the right thing standing up for himself. Punk, who is known to get testy with the media at times and always says what's on his mind, supported Boyle on Twitter following the events:
Good for Dan Boyle. — Coach (@CMPunk) April 27, 2016
The "Best in the World" is an avid Blackhawks fan, and though he's been able to celebrate three Stanley Cups in six years, he watched on as Chicago fell to St. Louis in seven games for a first-round exit in this year's postseason.
As for Boyle, he wasn't clear on his future, but odds are he'll retire after spending 18 years in the league. Boyle averaged 23:02 time on ice in his career and had 163 goals, 422 assists and 605 points.
Much like Punk's WWE career, Boyle's time in the NHL may have come to an end with one final pipe bomb.
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