Paul Bearer Reveals The Undertaker’s Endorsement Of CM Punk

During an interview with the late Paul Bearer (William Moody) in August 2012 PWTorch Livecast asked Bearer his thoughts on then WWE Champion CM Punk. Bearer revealed that The Undertaker gave CM Punk major endorsement in the WWE locker room during their introduction:

“C.M. Punk is a class act, and he’s got it,” Bearer exclusively told PWTorch editor Wade Keller. “I didn’t meet Punk until I went back for that six-month run (2010-2011). I had watched him on television, of course, but I had never met him in-person before.

“I’ll never forget myself, Undertaker, Big Show, and a couple of other guys standing over in the corner just shooting the breeze. C.M. Punk came walking by and Taker says, ‘Percy, have you ever met Punk?’ I said, ‘No, I haven’t.’ Taker called him over there and he’s very, very respectful to our business and to me for having never met me before.”

“Taker introduced me to him and Taker’s exact words to me were: ‘Punk – he’s one of us.’ That was how I was introduced to C.M. Punk by The Undertaker. For him to say that about a talent, that just means everything in the world. And to say, ‘He’s one of us,’ that just meant something to that little group that was there.”

Listen to the full interview with the late Paul Bearer here.

ProWrestlingTorch.com

C.M. Punk and John Cena: The Greatest Rivalry of All Time?

When you think of superior rivalries in professional wrestling, you automatically think of the classics – Nature Boy Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes,  Hulk Hogan and Andre The Giant, Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Shawn Michaels, The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Those names and those matches would be exemplified as some of the most timeless and unforgettable in-ring moments that we have seen in the history of professional wrestling. But it is an honor to say that there is now one more – the current rivalry between John Cena and CM Punk.

From the moment these two has their first big time match at Money In The Bank 2011 in Chicago, the two men have never had less than a five-star match. We have seen these two in a variety of main event matches for almost two years now, and the match quality has never grown old.

In fact, living in an era where we tend to see recycled material in repeated matches, their series of matches have never had repeated scenarios or situations.

What makes a rivalry so significant is the way how the wrestlers and the fans identify with each other. Cena represents the fan that truly believes in optimism, the positive way of going about everything in life, and showing that perseverance and will is the key to get to the top.

Punk, on the other hand, represents the fan that is a non-conformist, who believes that one lives by the rules that they set for themselves and most importantly, a fan that is anti-establishment.

Both of these sides is a bold example of what the wrestling fan personifies today, and this is why no matter how many times we see this  match, fans want more.

With Punk now not being a part of the WWE Championship title picture for Wrestlemania 29, it is a very big mystery as to whom his Wrestlemania opponent may be. Some say The Undertaker, some say Randy Orton or Ryback.

However whomever Punk is going to be facing at the biggest stage of them all, his presence will be missed in the championship main event. Punk not only has elevated himself when it comes to being an individual superstar, but he has brought out the best out of John Cena.

I believe I speak for all fans when I say “this rivalry needs to last forever”.

WWE: Why the Undertaker Should Beat CM Punk at WrestleMania

So after much speculation and worry, the Undertaker made his return to WWE at a house show in Waco, Texas a few days ago.  Before his return, there were many news reports stating that Taker was too injured to compete at WrestleMania and his rumored match with CM Punk was in doubt.

However, now that Undertaker has returned, WWE has to build the match with Punk with only five weeks remaining until the biggest show of the year.  Fortunately for them, Undertaker matches need very little build storyline-wise because Taker himself is the draw. 

WrestleMania has turned into a showcase for the Undertaker and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.  Taker’s streak is more over than any title in the entire promotion and people genuinely care when Undertaker seems in trouble during his matches.

Think back to the Undertaker-Triple H End of an Era match with Shawn Michaels as the referee.  I honestly thought the live crowd was going to have a collective heart attack after the “Sweet Chin Music into Pedigree” spot.  Even the group of people watching the event at my house gasped all at once and they were only casual wrestling fans. 

The truth of the matter is that people pay for WrestleMania to watch the Undertaker extend his streak.  No fan of WWE really wants the streak to end because that means an end to the last two decades of dominance. 

That is the exact reason why the Undertaker should beat CM Punk at WrestleMania.

Now, there is a very vocal minority of fans who state that Punk should be the one to end the streak because he has the most to gain from the victory.  I would argue Punk doesn’t need a victory over the Undertaker at all because it wouldn’t help him in the long run.

Look at it this way, Punk is clearly the No. 2 wrestler in the company right now behind John Cena The hierarchy in WWE looks like this:

1.  John Cena

2.  CM Punk

3.  Everyone else on the roster

I don’t count the Rock because he is a part-timer even as world champion and Taker only appears two months out of the year.

So how would beating the Undertaker help CM Punk?  Punk is so head and shoulders above everyone else on the roster that Taker’s rub wouldn’t mean anything.  It’s not going to propel him above John Cena (and really, why would you want that anyways?), so what’s the point?

CM Punk can lose to Taker in a fantastic match and then milk heel heat for the next couple of months by whining and complaining about the loss in classic heel fashion.  A rub from Taker is only going to serve to end the streak, nothing more.

In my humble opinion, Undertaker’s streak at WrestleMania should never end.  When it’s WrestleMania 50 and an elderly Undertaker is sitting at ringside, the streak will still mean something.  You could argue that the streak has been the most prestigious title defended at WrestleMania over the last ten years.

So if the victory over Undertaker won’t help CM Punk, then there is no point to doing it.  Have Taker defeat Punk, pop the crowd huge like usual and then, if the rumors are true, you can focus on Undertaker’s farewell match next year.

It’s what the fans want to see.

WWE: Why the Undertaker Shoul

Will CM Punk Lose His Title Due to the Shield Interference?

After their onslaught on the People’s Champion during the latest edition of Monday Night Raw, the team of Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns—better known as the Shield—have been banned from interfering with the WWE Championship match between current champion CM Punk and his challenger the Rock at this Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view event.

The announcement was made on Tuesday via a WWE.com update on a supposed injury the Rock had.

According to the WWE.com update, “Mr. McMahon has added a new stipulation to Sunday’s WWE Championship Match: If The Shield interfere in this bout, Punk will be stripped of his title.”

Ever since the Shield’s debut on November 8, 2012 during the Survivor Series pay-per-view, Ambrose, Rollins and Reigns have been instrumental in allowing the 400-plus-days champion CM Punk to retain his title. Could the Shield once again join Punk in the ring?

With the Rock expected to win the WWE title against CM Punk this weekend, the Shield’s intervention at the Royal Rumble could set up the perfect scenario where Punk can both drop the strap and seem like a strong champion.

If Punk was to lose his title to the Rock as a result of a disqualification—on account of the latest stipulation on their match—he could set up a rematch claiming that he was “robbed” of his title.

It remains to be seen whether the Shield will have a presence this Sunday, but if CM Punk is to lose his title, what better way than to do so because of outside interference.

Who Could Help CM Punk Retain the WWE Championship?

For the last few weeks, the internet wrestling community has talked about reports that WWE Champion CM Punk is going to drop the title to the Rock at the Royal Rumble this Sunday.

Leaked DVD previews (like one reported on WWEDVDNews.com) and backstage reports are supporting this, but I’m not convinced at all.

Sure, it would be considered good business if Rock won because he can do the media runs carrying the championship on television while promoting whatever movie is coming out next. And yes, we saw Vince McMahon announce that Punk would be stripped of the championship if the Shield gets involved.

So Punk cannot get the benefit of outside interference, right?

What about someone like Brad Maddox returning to the picture? Maybe a star in NXT? Or maybe someone unexpected in John Cena?

Have we forgotten that he did help Punk retain the championship against Ryback at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view back in October?

There was also the backstage segment last Monday on Raw where we saw Maddox walk up to Paul Heyman, who hinted at what could be a potential partnership. Consider if you will the situation where the Shield comes out but remains in the crowd, which causes a distraction leading to Maddox taking the Rock out to set up the win for Punk.

Now there was a WWE.com report that Maddox and his personal cameraman were attacked at the SmackDown tapings.

The Royal Rumble could be the perfect time for John Cena to turn heel.

I haven’t read the spoilers for Friday’s show, so I don’t know if it involved Heyman, Punk or the WWE Championship.

But maybe we’ll see someone else get involved.

While the Shield members were banned from ringside, why couldn’t we see a new member debut and officially join the group after the Royal Rumble?

This could be a great opportunity to help the newest heel faction grow and bring up another potential star out of the NXT roster. My top pick for that would be Kassius Ohno, the former Chris Hero of independent wrestling fame.

Ohno could be a good heel for the company and has great technical skills in the ring. He also has ties with current Shield members Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose in different independent promotions (i.e. CZW and Ring of Honor).

Outside of that, many fans are expecting Randy Orton to turn heel soon. But maybe we’ll see the swerve from the creative team that makes John Cena a heel.

While thinking of people that would possible names that could get involved in the title match, it would make sense if Cena cost the Rock the WWE Championship. We remember Cena kind of took the heel role during the promos towards the Rock leading up to last year’s WrestleMania.

So far, he’s been focused on the Royal Rumble match and has not really been in any championship picture for a while now.

Now these are all ideas and I couldn’t tell you what the creative staff at the Stamford, Conn. office is plotting.

But I try to expect the unexpected, especially around this time in the pro wrestling season.

I’ll admit I’m in the camp that supports Punk holding the championship as he faces off with the Undertaker in a streak vs. streak match.

As for the Rock and Cena rumored for a second-in-a-lifetime main event, let them have it.

We’ve seen the Undertaker face Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania in back to back years, as well as Triple H the last two.

So WWE isn’t afraid to repeat a main event. I just feel with all of this build for CM Punk’s championship reign, it wouldn’t feel right for it to end anywhere else than the grandest stage of them all.

Seasonal Geetings Form The WWE

I had mixed thoughts about this,

1. They took the time to do it… but some (most) look like they couldn’t care less

2. Cena as the conductor, really really… really?

3. They couldn’t just say Merry Christmas?

CM Punk GTS Pizza

Pizza and wrestling fans alike love Ian’s Pizza Wrigleyville’s CM Punk-inspired Go to Sleep (G.T.S.) pizza!

“The G.T.S. pizza is the best in the world. Would you expect anything less from a pizza inspired by me?” stated CM Punk.

This meaty slice, which originally debuted for a limited time in July 2011, it is named for WWE superstar and Chicago native CM Punk’s finishing move Go To Sleep. Featuring smoked turkey leg, sliced potatoes, Swiss cheese and French fried onions on a creme fraiche base, it’s perfect for a pre-Thanksgiving feast(It returns on special occasional including  Thanksgiving (11/21 – 11/27,).

“Its incredible, people would not stop asking for the G.T.S. Punk’s fans just started pouring out of the woodwork to show their support by eating his namesake,” says Ian’s managing partner Dimitri Syrkin-Nikolau.

Here’s some videos, ones the Ian’s Pizza’s Trailer and the other is CM Punk making the Go To Sleep (G.T.S) pizza!

Why CM Punk Never Does The Pepsi Plunge

The Pepsi Plunge CM Punk’s famous finishing move never ever seen in a WWE Ring. Why?

There are a couple of theories as to why, and here they are

Most Common Answer: HHH

It’s a pedigree from the top rope, do think think Triple H would allow someone to do a pedigree that looks better that his? quite frankly I doubt HHH would care really he’s all about the ‘business’ now (and I actually belive that) and whats good for business is spectacular moves right?

Which leads me to the Second Common answer: Its too dangerous,

You could actually snap the guys neck, apparently its worse than a tom stone for botches… but come on I think WWE superstars are used for a few risks. China even manage to do it on Jericho once.

So it can’t be that its too dangerous for the WWE now can it, I mean think Jeff Hardy, how many utterly insane moves did we see him do? However Rey Mysterio is banned from doing the 450 splash, the Shooting Star Press, or many other intricate moves. They are both difficult and dangerous to perform, and we all know how easily many WWE wrestlers get injured

Third most common answer (and the one im going with): Punk doesnt like it anymore

This is mostly down to the fact it could lead to re-inuring his knee’s. Punk loves working (or wrestling depending on how you look at things) so why would he risk long term injury he is the WWE’s top star now he cant be taking high risk spots. The move was almost close to damaging his knees permanently. I think this ties into the danger but I think ultimately its up to CM Punk himself not to do it.

Notable forth common answer: Copyright

Its called the “Pepsi” plunge goddammit! (Vince McMahon). If CM Punk did think fans would know it was the pespi plunge and the WWE commentors (and punk) would have to rename it. I dont know if that would be a problem but then it wouldn’t carry the past with it, changing the name would damage the legacy. Perhaps CM Punk doesn’t want that to happen to his Pepsi Plunge.

WWE Champion C.M. Punk on Nerdist.com

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WWE Champion C.M. Punk appeared on the Nerdist.com podcast with host Chris Hardwick and spoke about his knee surgery. Punk said he doesn’t want to have another surgery as long as he lives. He said he removed the stitches and is aggressively rehabbing to get back in the ring.

The interview was conducted in Punk’s home. He said he’s proud that when people walk in they don’t know what he does for a living. He said he finds it odd that some wrestlers take the opposite approach. He also mocked the idea wrestling fans complaining constantly, yet watching the shows every week. You can listen to the interview at Nerdist.com podcast.

In signs of incredibly good taste, Punk stated that his favorite movie of all time is “Slap Shot” and he would take a trip back in time to see bands such as Guns-n-Roses on the Sunset Strip. Host Christ Hardwick apologized upfront for not being a big fan of wrestling. “I talk to Punk as a guy,” Hardwick said. He also labeled Punk a “super nerdy guy.” He meant that in the best way possible and added that Punk is a “really good guy.” In addition to hosting the podcast, Hardwick is a comedian and the host of AMC’s “Talking Dead” television show.

John Cena Sucks Off CM Punk On Twitter

John Cena took to Twiter early Wednesday morning to praise and congratulate CM Punk on passing Cena on the list of longest WWE Championship reigns.

Cena tweeted: “Injured or healthy, today CM Punk is the longest reigning WWE champ in the modern era. It would be hypocritical not to acknowledge and respect it. Sometimes luck is as valuable as skill, but the record books will not say it was a ‘lucky 381 and counting,’ it’ll just say 381 and counting. I do wish CM Punk a speedy full recovery. He will need EVERYTHING he has to even step into a ring with The Rock. I know from experience.”

John Cena’s good guy image is safe for yet another day. This is a nice move by him, even if there will be plenty of people who roll their eyes at it being a little “too complementary.”