How far can CM Punk go in WWE History

 

It is now more than a year since CM Punk defeated Alberto Del Rio for the WWE title, and in that time frame, there may never have been a WWE champion who has been as critiqued, criticized, cheered, booed and misunderstood in some instances than the current titleholder.

As an ECW champion once, the world heavyweight champion three times and the WWE champion twice, Punk has cemented himself as one of the greatest champions in this company, but it is this current reign as champion which has really defined him as a top wrestler in the WWE.

From the time he dropped his famous “shoot interview” until now, we as fans have loved and hated him like no other wrestler, ever.

This includes John Cena, Hulk Hogan and any other wrestler who has grown tired on the WWE Universe as a champion and a longtime solution to title reigns when there have been other competent performers who could have carried the flagship.

CM Punk is a true enigma, a hero to some with his words and his style, a villain to others with his attitude and his appearance. He is the antithesis of Cena and The Rock and a small resemblance to the beginnings of Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Punk represents many great wrestlers all rolled into one.

Roddy Piper, Randy Savage, Chris Jericho, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and even Harley Race can all be seen in Phillip Jack Brooks. He transcends the decades and brings the show of past years to the fans. And when he’s “on” and performing like he does, there are few others who can sell a match like it is the greatest thing ever created.

Watch matches with Cena, Dolph Ziggler, The Miz and R-Truth from 18 months ago, and you see a man who helped his opponents get over in the business. He is a true performer, who broke the stereotype that Vince McManhon created, insisting the world champion must be a “big hulking wrestler.”

His words stung, his demeanor was sullen and he has bitched and whined and complained and it all made sense because we all bought into his character. His legacy is cemented in the fact that he can command attention like Austin or Jericho or Michaels or any other WWE Superstar of the past.

And fans are either cheering him or booing him. There is no “in the middle” with him like Cena who is the Tim Tebow of his generation.

Punk is as much an important part of the new “era” of wrestling as Degeneration X, Mr. McMahon, Steve Austin and the “Montreal Screw Job” is to the business. That has to do with the growth of Punk’s character and the direction this company is moving. While writers are still in “PG” mode, the degree to which writers are “pushing the envelope” means we will see Punk push the edge as well.

This can only help cement his legacy even more, which is a good thing for the WWE.

Does CM Punk Deserves to Face The Rock at WrestleMania

CM Punk has held the WWE Championship for 379 consecutive days as of this writing, a feat that has placed him firmly in the record books.

He has held nearly every major championship in WWE and worked some of the biggest names in the business including the Undertaker, Chris Jericho, Triple H, Randy Orton and of course, John Cena. But he has one opponent left to face and one mountain left to climb.

The time has come for CM Punk to face The Rock in the main event of WrestleMania.

To be honest, I have long held the opinion that Rocky will square off against Cena, in a rematch from this year’s Mania.  Though Vince McMahon had advertised WrestleMania 28’s epic showdown as “once in a lifetime,” I for one was not convinced that would actually be the case.

After all, this is WWE we’re talking about here, where anything can happen, right?

Rock vs. Cena at WrestleMania 28 was a huge moneymaker for WWE, and was the biggest WWE pay-per-view of all time.  Why would any promoter, especially McMahon, stop with just one match?

Why not cash in one more time?  Certainly every issue between Rocky and John could not have been resolved with just one bout, why not give fans another great WWE moment?

A win over Rocky would vindicate John from this year’s loss and would once again reestablish him as the undisputed top dog of WWE.  No doubt about it, that was definitely my train of thought when considering what the main event of WrestleMania 29 should be.

But after the way recent storylines have played out on Raw the past month or so, I have really changed my mind on this one.  Why?

Because of the two Superstars, I believe that CM Punk is the one headed in the right direction for a prime spot against the People’s Champion on the grandest stage of them all.

Punk is the champ.  Period.  He has defeated every opponent placed in front of him, consistently turned in one great match after another, and done it all while still being as effective on the microphone as he was since he first entered the business.  And with the addition of Paul Heyman by his side, Punk is stronger than ever before.

He is at the pulse of the company, the featured attraction on Monday Night Raw.  As the champion, Punk holds the richest prize in the industry and has become the biggest heel on WWE programming.

Though Ryback has put him to the test, Punk always finds a way to come out on top and despite any criticism he receives due to ratings, the fact is that WWE has showed a real commitment to keeping Punk at the top.

Add to this the jabs that both Rocky and Punk have thrown at each other via Twitter over the past few months, and you have a brewing rivalry that I believe will not end at the Royal Rumble.

Vince McManhon doesn’t like Twitter

WWE has been increasing the amount of Twitter use among its superstars lately in order to get more people interested.

I am sure you have noticed that many wrestlers’ entrance graphic showing their names also shows their Twitter handle, if they have one. You have probably also noticed that Michael Cole is constantly talking about Twitter in regards to other people’s accounts as well as what is trending worldwide related to WWE. WWE Raw Active you get it.

The reason the RAWactive Twitter poll with Daniel Bryan and Kane was featured on Monday’s RAW after not being featured for several weeks is because Vince McMahon was not there. Triple H was in charge this week and it’s said that he “kind of likes” Twitter.

Vince hates Twitter and while he realizes it’s a part of WWE’s social media efforts, he believes it is a tool for his talents to say some really stupid things in public. He particularity doesn’t like superstars which like to speak out having this tool.

*cough* CM Punk *cough*

Since Twitter took off a few years ago, more wrestlers have gotten on the social network, and the WWE has used it to further storylines, like John Cena and the Rock’s current program going into next year’s WrestleMania.

Vince is not on the site himself. Neither is Stephanie or his son-in-law, Triple H.

Stephanie, being a behind-the-scenes employee, would have less to gain from using Twitter, but Vince and Triple H could use it to their advantage quite well.

Triple H is still one of the more popular people in WWE despite not wrestling that much, and having him on Twitter would make for not only some hilarious remarks, but also for some good storylines. His humor would most certainly be appreciated amongst the Twitterverse as well.

Vince would also benefit from having a Twitter, even if he just had some intern posting his messages. Vince is currently being used sparingly on television, but a Twitter account would allow him to stay relevant in the minds of younger fans.

If only Vince could reach out and give us a piece of his mind… i’m sure he’d say “some really stupid things in public” 🙂

CM Punk Can’t Lose To Ryback, Thats The Bottom Line Because The Rock Said So?

Now apparently the latest news coming out about CM Punk is that  Vince McMahon has only been supportive of CM Punk keeping the WWE Title for so long is because of The Rock wanted him to?

Now lets think about that for a second, Mr McMahon being told what to do by The Rock, I doubt even the great one would get away with that however on the other hand The Rock brought McMahon ‘the millions’ last year  at WM and I’m not talking about the fans.

McMahon was said to be very supportive of CM Punk holding on to the title at Survivor Series because he’s worried if the title gets put on someone different, The Rock might have an issue with it.

I’m sorry ‘might’ I think McMahon would have a pretty strong idea, I know he’s getting on a bit but come on!

CM Punk vs. Rock at Royal Rumble has been teased since the summer and is something The Rock agreed to do. Vince reportedly doesn’t want to upset The Rock by changing things last minute regarding the creative plans for 2013.

So in conclusion, there is no chance that Ryback will get the belt… Unless Vince wants picks his Ryback push over annoying The Rock? and ill be honest here, I wouldn’t put it past him.

The only thing that stops be believing this match is pointless is the fact that it is so obviously pointless.