CM Punk

waltersobchak

HERES AN AWESOME ARTICLE FROM THE SUN ABOUT THE STRAIGHTEDGE SUPERSTAR

Being a bad guy isn't so difficult. You could mention how terrible the local sports team is, or maybe just call the town you are in a dump and the people who live there 'idiots'.
But that is just cheap heat. To create a character that has an ethos which fans paying their money to attend really hate is very difficult.
It was something Ric Flair was a master at in the old NWA. He would travel around the United States to various territories, anger the fans to boiling point, but cling on to his belt, making him even more loathed.
The key was that he was dislikeable enough that people would pay to see him beat.
In recent years WWE have had a great many superstars who have been good heels, but not so great that you feel that fans are salivating to see them get annihilated.
But maybe, just maybe, there is now a figure who is getting to that position.
Phil Brooks, in real life, does not drink, does not take drugs or take prescription pills. In real life, he is an easy going guy, very easy to get along with.
Much has been true for his wrestling persona in WWE until mid-2009, when the character of CM Punk went from being a likeable babyface to a preachy heel.

This week on Smackdown, Punk, accompanied by his 'follower' Luke Gallows, took part in one of those segments on TV which just occasionally makes you sit up and say "wow".
The pair started by walking very slowly to the ring, with Punk explaining in measured tones exactly why he was better than everyone else.
It was less about what he said and more the manner in which he said it. Not afraid to get close to fans' faces, he flat out told them they were lesser human beings. A good start.
Once he hit the ring his theme was in the increasingly familiar premise of 'saving' a member of the audience.

Those that are 'saved' are clearly planted, but that is neither here nor there. The beauty is in the performance of Punk, and to a lesser extent, Gallows.

An audience member rushed at Punk, claiming she needed to be saved, and after security started to remove her, Punk told them to let her go, and began a long and slightly unsettling 'saving'.
He spent much time gazing into her eyes, smoothing her hair, and telling her how much she meant to him.

Eventually, after getting her to renounce her former ways as 'an addict', she agreed to join Punk's Straight Edge Society.
Her final act of acceptance was to allow him to shave her head completely.

A few words of praise ought to go to the lady.
Serena - a WWE developmental star who will now join the main roster as part of Punk's crew - played her part as the willing convert very well, looking for all the world like she was experiencing an epiphany.

Gallows, too, seemed enraptured by Punk's words and to describe him as a disciple is the only fitting moniker.
Punk himself looks in his element. Mind you, he has to be 100 per cent committed to this version of the Straight Edge character, because for many it is a very serious subject.
It can't be by accident that Punk's beard is longer than we have seen it before, and coupled with his long hair - I'll say it - he looks like Jesus.
It should also be pointed out that Smackdown was in South Carolina last week, part of what is known in the US as 'The Bible Belt'.
Christianity is taken very seriously in those parts, and there can be little doubt that a large part of the immense heat for Punk during this segment was very real.
Punk very carefully used words like "saviour" to evoke a religious overtone and carried himself with a very messianic demeanour, like a brain-washing cult leader.
It was very effective. There was no cheering in small pockets like we see for Randy Orton.
Randy is an exceptional heel, but he is sometimes so good people want to cheer him. Punk is beyond that.
Punk's WWE career has been disjointed so far. Clearly talented in the ring, he has been pushed to an extent, capturing the world title on three occasions, but has never really caught fire and received the full backing of the company's promotional machine.
Now perhaps, as an antagonist, he may have the vehicle to reach that next level.
He and Gallows will face D-Generation X next week on Smackdown for the tag team titles. What better entity than DX for Punk to preach against?
And maybe, just maybe, Punk might outdo 29 lesser citizens and win the 2010 Royal Rumble.
The Road to WrestleMania might just have a Straight Edge...

Yeah i personally agree with this 100% that angle on Smackdown was incredible, Glad Punk has trancended his Heel gimmick because he could of easily come across as a watered down carbon copy of Chris Jericho's current gimmick

D.Q

Currently the only real hope I have as far as the continued quality of wwe programming goes. Randy has lost the edge so to speak over the last few months, going to Vince (his supposed bitter enemy) and offering himself up as muscle against Bret Hart is just one example.

I would love Punk to win the rumble. I really would like to see him given a better push with the strap. One of the few breakout stars who can combine in ring prowess with undeniable charisma and fan psychology. Have you seen that promo he cut, It might have been in ROH, maybe before..but he didnt actually have a mic.. great promo I thought.

Now I'll just sit back and watch the 'E mess this up.

waltersobchak

DieselQueen wrote: »

Currently the only real hope I have as far as the continued quality of wwe programming goes. Randy has lost the edge so to speak over the last few months, going to Vince (his supposed bitter enemy) and offering himself up as muscle against Bret Hart is just one example.

I would love Punk to win the rumble. I really would like to see him given a better push with the strap. One of the few breakout stars who can combine in ring prowess with undeniable charisma and fan psychology. Have you seen that promo he cut, It might have been in ROH, maybe before..but he didnt actually have a mic.. great promo I thought.

Now I'll just sit back and watch the 'E mess this up.

I dunno i think WWE mightn't do to badly with Punk on this one, look at WWEs track record with Heels over the last few years Edge, Jericho, Orton, all the most entertaining things about WWE and Punk can carry that off also.definitely hope he wins the Rumble too, especially with the caliber of Wrestlers in it this year.. The winner will look phenomenal id say.

JP Liz V1

I'm loving forward to his promos on DX especially HBK

waltersobchak

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

I'm loving forward to his promos on DX especially HBK

+1
Big Time.. hopefully a full on fued between Punk and HBK happens soon before HBK retires, that has money written all over it.

Diabhal Beag

Punk is the best heel in the world ATM. He can annoy the **** out of any crowd and his snobby "BETTER THAN YOU" is great. He is a huge prick backstage which could hinder any kind of push which is a real shame. He is a man who has surpassed any expectations that the internet fans set for him.

He cuts the best promos and can wrestle.

waltersobchak

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Punk is the best heel in the world ATM. He can annoy the **** out of any crowd and his snobby "BETTER THAN YOU" is great. He is a huge prick backstage which could hinder any kind of push which is a real shame. He is a man who has surpassed any expectations that the internet fans set for him.

He cuts the best promos and can wrestle.

I dunno look at Orton though, hes obviously a legimate prick in real life, but has managed to channel that in to his gimmick so therefore can get away with it, maybe if Punk starts getting more and more over his backstage rep will improve

gerrybbadd

I think Punk makes an awesome heel, and is amazing on the mike. He's fast become from someone i used to fast forward, to a favourite.

savemejebus

I thought most of his backstage heat was due to him having a knack for copping off with the fine ladies of the wwe and that other stuff, i.e the Undertaker rumour was just that, a rumour.

geeky

savemejebus wrote: »

I thought most of his backstage heat was due to him having a knack for copping off with the fine ladies of the wwe and that other stuff, i.e the Undertaker rumour was just that, a rumour.

Ditto, and he wouldn't be the first wrestler to like the ladies. I also think his being clean must appeal to Vince.

Trips doesn't like him, which is a problem but, whatever he thinks, Trips doesn't own the company.

gerrybbadd

waltersobchak wrote: »

I dunno i think WWE mightn't do to badly with Punk on this one, look at WWEs track record with Heels over the last few years Edge, Jericho, Orton, all the most entertaining things about WWE and Punk can carry that off also.definitely hope he wins the Rumble too, especially with the caliber of Wrestlers in it this year.. The winner will look phenomenal id say.

Unfortunately, I think it'll be 1 of DX winning the Rumble this year. I can see Punk being in the MITB again, but maybe not winning it (but here's hoping)

How cool would it be for Taker to defend and retain his belt in the Main Event at Mania against HBK, and assuming Punk is in MITB & Wins, for him to cash in directly after the Main Event, and take the title home.

He'd be the biggest heel ever!

waltersobchak

gerrybbadd wrote: »

Unfortunately, I think it'll be 1 of DX winning the Rumble this year. I can see Punk being in the MITB again, but maybe not winning it (but here's hoping)

How cool would it be for Taker to defend and retain his belt in the Main Event at Mania against HBK, and assuming Punk is in MITB & Wins, for him to cash in directly after the Main Event, and take the title home.

He'd be the biggest heel ever!

That'd actually be unreal...