CM Punk Megathread

Mokuba

Wrestling Observer:

C.M. Punk reportedly told Vince McMahon last night that he was going home, and did so. That's where things stand right now. At this point, he's off everything going forward.

Later:

C.M. Punk has been removed from all house shows over the next several weeks.

PWTorch:

A chain of events began last week:

- Thursday: C.M. Punk granted his annual in-depth interview to MMA reporter Ariel Helwani at his home in Chicago. Punk talked about not being sure if he will stay with WWE when his contract expires this summer. He also joked - in a revealing way - that he wouldn't be a fan of wrestling right now if not for himself being on WWE TV.

- Friday: Punk appeared at a Comic Con event in Portland.

- Saturday: Punk attended the UFC on Fox event in Chicago. This followed Punk requesting the weekend off from house shows.

- Sunday: Punk went nearly 50 minutes in the Royal Rumble match, was eliminated by Kane in the Final Four, and WWE appeared to be setting up a Punk vs. Kane mini-feud coming out of the Rumble to keep Punk's feud with Triple H going.

- Monday: Punk was left off Raw following a series of re-writes. Punk reportedly told Vince McMahon that he was leaving to go home.

- Tuesday: Punk was the top star advertised for this week's Smackdown TV taping, but he did not appear in front of the live crowd after going home on Monday.

ProWrestling.net:

Punk was slated to face Triple H at WrestleMania 30. I mentioned earlier today on the PWTorch Livecast that it seemed like the plan changed to Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H. I have since been told that Bryan vs. Hunter is indeed the new plan for WrestleMania 30. At this point, it is unclear whether the shift to Bryan vs. Triple H had something to do with Punk's decision to go home or if that change was made as a result of Punk leaving.

Punk would be better off if he took a break. His performances are much worse and he clearly doesn't even want to be there.

I can tolerate Bryan in this feud, because of how highly the WWE rate HHH feuds. And if he isn't in the title match, this makes sense. You also have Michaels coming into the picture, which makes more sense. As long as he goes over, quite obviously, and he moves into the title picture afterwards.

Loughc

Mokuba wrote: »

I can tolerate Bryan in this feud, because of how highly the WWE rate HHH feuds. And if he isn't in the title match, this makes sense. You also have Michaels coming into the picture, which makes more sense. As long as he goes over, quite obviously, and he moves into the title picture afterwards.

I lol'd. I'd firmly expect HHH to pin Bryan cleanly 5-10minutes after hitting a pedigree.

Mokuba

Loughc wrote: »

I lol'd. I'd firmly expect HHH to pin Bryan cleanly 5-10minutes after hitting a pedigree.

A buried alive match would be apt.

rovert

They could replace him with Corey Graves and see how many people notice:

Mokuba

My interpretation from rumors is this -

He was promised the main event at Wrestlemania, something he never had, as a thank you/reward for when his contract was ending. Batista came back and he was removed from this main event. (CM Punk was pencilled in for Royal Rumble win and WM vs Orton before Batista came back).

He was then placed into the HHH programme which he was then removed from also because of Bryan.

I'd imagine at that point, with a reduced payday (WWE Network) and at best the match with 5th from top billing, he was pretty much like, f*ck this.

Charisteas

He's the guy I most look forward to seeing on Raw every week, hope things work out and he returns soon.

Garseys

Tbh I'm not really surprised at this. He's looked so disinterested the last month or so.

I'd laugh so hard if he showed up at ROH :pac:

Nody

Sorry but I highly doubt WWE would give a "thank you" reward for a contract expiring; if anything I'd see it as a condition from WWE for a contract extension (i.e. if you don't sign the dotted line we'll not let you main event at WM)...

rovert

Mokuba wrote: »

My interpretation from rumors is this -

He was promised the main event at Wrestlemania, something he never had, as a thank you/reward for when his contract was ending. Batista came back and he was removed from this main event. (CM Punk was pencilled in for Royal Rumble win and WM vs Orton before Batista came back).

He was then placed into the HHH programme which he was then removed from also because of Bryan.

I'd imagine at that point, with a reduced payday (WWE Network) and at best the match with 5th from top billing, he was pretty much like, f*ck this.

The hardest or one of the hardest working Wrestlers and stars isn't getting his Christmas bonus essentially.

Soft Falling Rain

Pretty ****ty time to walk out but I guess there's no stronger message than doing it in Wrestlemania season.

mikey13

On one of the sites it states that the fact he would walk out during mania season is down to him being smart with his money.

If the rumours are true I don't bloody blame him for going the biggest star should headline wrestlemia and if I was him I wouldn't be happy being bumped down 3 years in a row because of returning stars who don't deserve it.

I will continue to hope this isn't true and part of an angle with the authority storyline!

GTR63

Is it bad that I never noticed his absence on RAW?
Even in protest can't help but feel the way I have bout him the last few weeks a "weak Stone Cold wannabe"

cagefactor

If you guys worked in a company where someone gets promoted over you constantly you'd feel like Punk I guess. I've had that in a job before, mates of bosses getting promotions. I left that place.

The only thing is, this is gonna stink Wrestlemania. We all love wrestling, and want to see a great show but it looks like it will just be a chorus of cmpunk chants and daniel bryan during the snorefest that is Ortan/Batista.

mrkiscool2

He really should have headlines WrestleMania 28, like how many other times was WM headlined without the strap on the line? It wasn't fair to him, especially considering how over he was at the time!

Penn

In fairness, he's consistently been treated like sh*t in terms of booking.

First time he's World Champion, he loses it in a match he's not even in.
After becoming arguably the biggest star following his pipebomb stuff, he loses the title a month later in an MITB cash-in and gets put into a feud with Nash and HHH.
When he does get the title again, he's given a long title reign, but doesn't get to main event WM due to Rock V Cena.
Then, he loses the title to a returning Rock to set up Rock V Cena II
He barely gets anywhere near the title again
Batista returns, wins the Royal Rumble a week later and gets to headline WM while Punk would likely have been facing HHH (who he's already feuded with)

He gets title reigns here and there, but he's always being nudged out of the title picture by returning guys.

If Daniel Bryan had won the Rumble, Punk might not have left, or at least not have left so soon. At least Punk knows Bryan has been working all year, is the crowd favourite and deserves the chance. But to give it to Batista who has already won a Rumble, has only just returned, will likely be working a reduced schedule (not to the extent of Lesnar, but can't imagine Batista working most house shows) and will likely swan off every now and again for movies/promotions, it was probably the last straw.

krudler

mrkiscool2 wrote: »

He really should have headlines WrestleMania 28, like how many other times was WM headlined without the strap on the line? It wasn't fair to him, especially considering how over he was at the time!

I'd imagine the thinking was Wrestlemania 18, after Rock/Hogan the crowd didn't care about the title match and they were probably worried Rock/Cena would have the same effect.

mikey13

I think its a work.. give it a few weeks punk can come back a drop another pipe bomb and challenge undertaker in a streak vs career match and HEADLINE wrestlemania!

Deadlie

He'd be a big loss - he's definitely the sole reason my females friends watch wrestling and I've seen his mercy worn all over the place. Hope its a storyline thing, while he wouldn't be my favourite, he's entertaining and unique to watch.

krudler

Deadlie wrote: »

He'd be a big loss - he's definitely the sole reason my females friends watch wrestling and I've seen his mercy worn all over the place. Hope its a storyline thing, while he wouldn't be my favourite, he's entertaining and unique to watch.

Definitely, Punk, Brock, Bryan and a handful of other guys would the only people I'd really care about. There's some new talent too like Reigns who has a future star written all over him but I couldnt give a fiddlers if tomorrow Big Show, Rey, Batista, Mark Henry and about half the roster were fired.

If they're not careful they'll wind up in a mid 90's new generation scenario.

Loughc

Penncil Dick wrote: »

If Daniel Bryan had won the Rumble, Punk might not have left, or at least not have left so soon. At least Punk knows Bryan has been working all year, is the crowd favourite and deserves the chance. But to give it to Batista who has already won a Rumble, has only just returned, will likely be working a reduced schedule (not to the extent of Lesnar, but can't imagine Batista working most house shows) and will likely swan off every now and again for movies/promotions, it was probably the last straw.

To be honest I imagine that was the second last straw, watching HHH looking after his buddies, I'd say the last straw came with all the re-writes for Raw and being told he's not needed this week and his feud with Kane will be the main focus of next week's show.

The re-writes show what a mess the product is in.

mikey13 wrote: »

I think its a work.. give it a few weeks punk can come back a drop another pipe bomb and challenge undertaker in a streak vs career match and HEADLINE wrestlemania!

Yea this is never going to happen. Ever, ever, EVER. It would have mean his feud with The Authority was pointless.

mikey13

[quodied wtLoughc;88720870"]To be honest I imagine that was the second last straw, watching HHH looking after his buddies, I'd say the last straw came with all the re-writes for Raw and being told he's not needed this week and his feud with Kane will be the main focus of next week's show.

The re-writes show what a mess the product is in.



Yea this is never going to happen. Ever, ever, EVER. It would have mean his feud with The Authority was pointless.[/quote]

The fued with the authority is pointless! They probably told him that he wouldn't get HHH at mania he'd get Kane instead..

Loughc

mikey13 wrote: »

The fued with the authority is pointless! They probably told him that he wouldn't get HHH at mania he'd get Kane instead..

Yes I agree with this but not your idea it's all "a work"

A Primal Nut

krudler wrote: »

Definitely, Punk, Brock, Bryan and a handful of other guys would the only people I'd really care about. There's some new talent too like Reigns who has a future star written all over him but I couldnt give a fiddlers if tomorrow Big Show, Rey, Batista, Mark Henry and about half the roster were fired.

If they're not careful they'll wind up in a mid 90's new generation scenario.

With Shawn Micheals, Bret Hart, Mankind, Undertaker, Stone Cold? It's amazing that was considered bad at the time; seems like that would be a massive improvement on the current situation.

Lord TSC

Somewhere, Jarrett is getting excited that his rumoured new promotion might just have found their new star. :P

mikey13

Loughc wrote: »

Yes I agree with this but not your idea it's all "a work"

I am being optimistic when I say that lol I can't imagine for one second that punks gone and not coming back surely WWE wouldn't let him just walk..

Deadlie

This could all making the Batista signing very bad business.

Sure, you might get a figure spike for WM, but surely losing a full timer like Punk because of a honeymoon period, would make the rest of the year a bit thin for big faces. I mean if Bryan was to get injured too, you're back to Cena carrying the weight again.

Loughc

A Primal Nut wrote: »

With Shawn Micheals, Bret Hart, Mankind, Undertaker, Stone Cold? It's amazing that was considered bad at the time; seems like that would be a massive improvement on the current situation.

In "The New Generation" era, Bret & Shawn were the shining stars, Undertaker was a good draw but he was booked in the same feud time after time, insert monster heel here.

Mankind and Stone Cold didn't make strides until "The Attitude Era" kicked in.

The biggest problem with "The New Generation" era was the cartoon like gimmicks they tried.

mikey13 wrote: »

I am being optimistic when I say that lol I can't imagine for one second that punks gone and not coming back surely WWE wouldn't let him just walk..

WWE don't have a choice really, if Punk walks there's very little they can do to stop him. When a wrestler walks Vince sees it as a slap in the face, they'll need to leave this cool before any reconciliation can be on the cards.

mikey13

Loughc wrote: »

In "The New Generation" era, Bret & Shawn were the shining stars, Undertaker was a good draw but he was booked in the same feud time after time, insert monster heel here.

Mankind and Stone Cold didn't make strides until "The Attitude Era" kicked in.

The biggest problem with "The New Generation" era was the cartoon like gimmicks they tried.



WWE don't have a choice really, if Punk walks there's very little they can do to stop him. When a wrestler walks Vince sees it as a slap in the face, they'll need to leave this cool before any reconciliation can be on the cards.

WWE and Vince do have a choice they could shallow some pride and give Punk some of the respect he actually deserves!

Loughc

mikey13 wrote: »

WWE and Vince do have a choice they could shallow some pride and give Punk some of the respect he actually deserves!

Vince swallowing pride... have you not seen the strut on the man! That's never going to happen!

krudler

A Primal Nut wrote: »

With Shawn Micheals, Bret Hart, Mankind, Undertaker, Stone Cold? It's amazing that was considered bad at the time; seems like that would be a massive improvement on the current situation.

I'm talking about post Hogan/pre Austin,around 93-95. Bret was champ, Shawn was still a rising singles star on the verge of being a headliner and Taker was in some godawful feuds.

mikey13

Loughc wrote: »

Vince swallowing pride... have you not seen the strut on the man! That's never going to happen!

He's gotta be pretty p*seed its not been a good week for WWE and its only Wednesday lol

mrkiscool2

mikey13 wrote: »

He's gotta be pretty p*seed its not been a good week for WWE and its only Wednesday lol

That's a good thing, make him fcuking wake up and see how much of a state the company is in. And the really funny thing is that it doesn't have to be. The roster is one of the most diverse wrestling-wise it has ever been. Sure, some of the mic work isn't great but the in-ring talent for the most part are pretty damn good! All it needs is for Creative (namely Vince, I am starting to blame him more and more every week that goes by) to actual use the talent they have effectively! That means not having the US title undefended for months on end, that includes not booking your undercard champions (that includes Divas) to lose most of the fcuking time, that includes having some of your bigger name stars losing to guys who re upper-mid card. Like it's not as if it's the talents fault, it's the company's fault

But then when you speak out about it you get fcuking buried to the hilt and next thing you know you're jobbing most of the bloody time. Case in point Miz vs Ziggler. Had those two been booked well it actually would have been a match to look forward to, but who cares about two stars who lose most of the time fighting each other "Oh look, at least one of them will get a win" that was my reaction.

So fair play to Punk, he's perfectly right. And as much as I would hate to see him leave if he went to any other promotion he would be the top dog straight away, while still sharing the limelight with others.

mikey13

The main problem ATM is overcrowding and repetative TV. WWE needs to bring back the draft and two world titles, stop this RAW supershow crap it devalues smack down. Its needs to go back to 2 shows with a good balance instead of repeating raw on smackdown.

Diabhal Beag

I would eat gimmick's tie if he left WWE and worked for Jarrtet. Nae happening.

krudler

mrkiscool2 wrote: »

That's a good thing, make him fcuking wake up and see how much of a state the company is in. And the really funny thing is that it doesn't have to be. The roster is one of the most diverse wrestling-wise it has ever been. Sure, some of the mic work isn't great but the in-ring talent for the most part are pretty damn good! All it needs is for Creative (namely Vince, I am starting to blame him more and more every week that goes by) to actual use the talent they have effectively! That means not having the US title undefended for months on end, that includes not booking your undercard champions (that includes Divas) to lose most of the fcuking time, that includes having some of your bigger name stars losing to guys who re upper-mid card. Like it's not as if it's the talents fault, it's the company's fault

But then when you speak out about it you get fcuking buried to the hilt and next thing you know you're jobbing most of the bloody time. Case in point Miz vs Ziggler. Had those two been booked well it actually would have been a match to look forward to, but who cares about two stars who lose most of the time fighting each other "Oh look, at least one of them will get a win" that was my reaction.

So fair play to Punk, he's perfectly right. And as much as I would hate to see him leave if he went to any other promotion he would be the top dog straight away, while still sharing the limelight with others.

totally agree, then saying certain talent can't draw, when they're not given a bloody chance to, or pushed for a few weeks then forgotten about the next. Miz headlined a Wrestlemania ffs and Ziggler was as hot as you can be last year.

Omackeral

mikey13 wrote: »

The main problem ATM is overcrowding and repetative TV. WWE needs to bring back the draft and two world titles, stop this RAW supershow crap it devalues smack down. Its needs to go back to 2 shows with a good balance instead of repeating raw on smackdown.

It's been only a month since they unified the title, give over outta that!

mikey13

Omackeral wrote: »

It's been only a month since they unified the title, give over outta that!

Im not saying it won't work in the short term but long term I think they've shot themselves in the foot.. Punk,Bryan,Batista,Orton,Sheamus,Cena,Alberto.. Fighting over one title won't work and it leaves no room for people like Ziggler, Cody or other midcarders having a title push

rovert

Just hit the dirtsheets:
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/cm-punk-quits-wwe-just-weeks-before-wrestlemania-30-9092718.html

mikey13

rovert wrote: »

Just hit the dirtsheets:
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/cm-punk-quits-wwe-just-weeks-before-wrestlemania-30-9092718.html

Its been spreading across sites all morning but they all say the same thing.. still being advertised for Elimination Chamber but no other dates

kronsington

If this is the case there wi be deafening Cm Punk chants and they can't ignore it. Hopefully it gets resolved. I was thinking to myself what would someone like punk think of then Batista signing and it looks like (although we're only speculating here) that we have out answer

gimmick

is this not all very workish?

Batista comes back, wins the Rumble, gets the main event slot for Mania.

Wasn't this the basis of Punks initial "pipe bomb" promo, only it was directed at Dwaaaaayne and Cena.

So nothing has changed, if anything its worse, as Batista is at best a B level main eventer. Workhorses like Punk and Danielson being held down and we are fed feuds we do not want to see. Like, does ANYONE want to see Orton Vs Batista? Anyone at all?

So, as someone else has mentioned, it leads to a returning promo about the glass ceiling again positioning Punk and Bryan strongly going into Mania.

I was going to start a thread actually called "are we being super worked at the moment" regarding the whole Bryan situation. Vince is a lot of things but he aint deaf. Surely the way he is handling Bryan is almost genius if the payoff comes at Mania?

mikey13

If its not a work and punk is gone and the Bryan payoff doesn't come its only a matter of time before he leaves aswell.. They certainly playin a risky game with the fans patience

krudler

gimmick wrote: »

is this not all very workish?

Batista comes back, wins the Rumble, gets the main event slot for Mania.

Wasn't this the basis of Punks initial "pipe bomb" promo, only it was directed at Dwaaaaayne and Cena.

So nothing has changed, if anything its worse, as Batista is at best a B level main eventer. Workhorses like Punk and Danielson being held down and we are fed feuds we do not want to see. Like, does ANYONE want to see Orton Vs Batista? Anyone at all?

So, as someone else has mentioned, it leads to a returning promo about the glass ceiling again positioning Punk and Bryan strongly going into Mania.

I was going to start a thread actually called "are we being super worked at the moment" regarding the whole Bryan situation. Vince is a lot of things but he aint deaf. Surely the way he is handling Bryan is almost genius if the payoff comes at Mania?

Orton v Batista will be funny in a Brock/Goldberg kinda way, fans will boo them out of the building if Bryan isn't included in the match.

Loughc

gimmick wrote: »

I was going to start a thread actually called "are we being super worked at the moment" regarding the whole Bryan situation. Vince is a lot of things but he aint deaf. Surely the way he is handling Bryan is almost genius if the payoff comes at Mania?

I think you are giving Vince and the booking team WAY TOO MUCH credit with the booking of Bryan, IF and it's a BIG IF Bryan's payoff does come at WM you can thank the fans for that not the booking team.

They had no intention of having Bryan near that position a few weeks ago and they were too busy with entertaining the likes of Lesnar and Batista who are on the big money short term contracts.

Also on the flip side if Bryan is positioned in an opening/mid-card match at WMXXX, what will your opinions of Vince be then?

gimmick

Loughc wrote: »

I think you are giving Vince and the booking team WAY TOO MUCH credit with the booking of Bryan, IF and it's a BIG IF Bryan's payoff does come at WM you can thank the fans for that not the booking team.

They had no intention of having Bryan near that position a few weeks ago and they were too busy with entertaining the likes of Lesnar and Batista who are on the big money short term contracts.

Also on the flip side if Bryan is positioned in an opening/mid-card match at WMXXX, what will your opinions of Vince be then?

Hard to say. I will be disappointed.

But this stems from watching the Rumble the other day, the wife chimes in and says "so Batista is the bad guy I assume?" and asked what all the booing was about. I showed her the end of the cage match with Bryan and Wyatt and I told her the fans love this guy but the company apparently don't. Even while saying that I felt like a total mark. That they had fooled me. She asked why the company wont get behind him and I said that its because the WWE didn't make him and because he doesn't have their stereotype of a marketable look. And agin, I somehow felt while I was talking that I was being worked.

Then with Raw, Bryan opens it with StepHHH and his music plays out the close of the show. Hardly the definition of someone who is being held back. Quite the opposite in fact.

I don't know, I really don't.

Loughc

gimmick wrote: »

Then with Raw, Bryan opens it with StepHHH and his music plays out the close of the show. Hardly the definition of someone who is being held back. Quite the opposite in fact.

I don't know, I really don't.

The start of Raw was the WWE's ackowledgement of the Rumble fans voicing their opinions. And even the end left a bitter taste in my mouth, celebrating a DQ win, just give them the clean win FFS.

They are showcasing Bryan alot and he has great exposure for sure, but he should be Main Eventing PPVs not Raws. That's the problem with his booking at the moment.

It's all well and good them going look he's the focus of our entire flagship show and then come PPV he's the opening match. Something isn't adding up here at all. I really hope it's not blind stubborness by Vinny Mac.

Penn

gimmick wrote: »

Then with Raw, Bryan opens it with StepHHH and his music plays out the close of the show. Hardly the definition of someone who is being held back. Quite the opposite in fact.

I don't know, I really don't.

Wasn't Raw rewritten with a few hours to go though? I'd assume (leaving aside the CM Punk issue) it was based on fans reactions to the Rumble, as opposed to those reactions being part of their plan.

Let's face it, if this was their plan, they would have done it two years ago with Punk instead. Everyone expected the big payoff but it never happened. Even as champion he was pushed back to make way for Rock V Cena, just like Bryan is being pushed back for Orton V Batista. They probably think Bryan V HHH will now satisfy people enough and give Bryan a big win, but WWE see Batista as being the headlining star, and Bryan as being a fan favourite. For the 30th Wrestlemania, they want the biggest names on the top. Bryan simply isn't a big enough name that non-wrestling fans might know which could help sell WM buys.

RobbingBandit

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/01/29/is-cm-punk-leaving-the-wwe/

CBS reporting it now, **** just got real.

Loughc

Penncil Dick wrote: »

Wasn't Raw rewritten with a few hours to go though? I'd assume (leaving aside the CM Punk issue) it was based on fans reactions to the Rumble, as opposed to those reactions being part of their plan.

Let's face it, if this was their plan, they would have done it two years ago with Punk instead. Everyone expected the big payoff but it never happened. Even as champion he was pushed back to make way for Rock V Cena, just like Bryan is being pushed back for Orton V Batista. They probably think Bryan V HHH will now satisfy people enough and give Bryan a big win, but WWE see Batista as being the headlining star, and Bryan as being a fan favourite. For the 30th Wrestlemania, they want the biggest names on the top. Bryan simply isn't a big enough name that non-wrestling fans might know which could help sell WM buys.

Yep 100% agree with all this.

Although I'd worry they'd have HHH win at WM and for Bryan to get his win back at Summerslam.

rovert

Picture of CM Punk and Triple H on Sunday:

krudler

Loughc wrote: »

The start of Raw was the WWE's ackowledgement of the Rumble fans voicing their opinions. And even the end left a bitter taste in my mouth, celebrating a DQ win, just give them the clean win FFS.

They are showcasing Bryan alot and he has great exposure for sure, but he should be Main Eventing PPVs not Raws. That's the problem with his booking at the moment.

It's all well and good them going look he's the focus of our entire flagship show and then come PPV he's the opening match. Something isn't adding up here at all. I really hope it's not blind stubborness by Vinny Mac.

It's bizarre booking tbh, Bryan comes out to massive pops, people are chanting his name throughout other matches, his chant is even making it to other sports.
Yet they have him midcarding ppvs and being bumped in favour of over the hill former stars. It's like he's good enough for tv but not those precious ppv buyrates. It'd be like having Austin circa 1998 raising hell on raw then opening a ppv with Mideon or something.