I think the one thing that could pull Punk back for a while would be the promise of a WM main event.
I also think that if the Reigns thing doesn't work out and the belt was still on Brock, (And I am in no way saying that it won't work out. Just a hypothetical.) Punk may be one of the few guys on the roster other than DBry, whom the fans would get behind and believe could take out Brock the Monster.
Long shots all. I understand that Mania is forever and a day a way. DBry will apparently be back, Reigns may well work out and keep improving, they may start booking Ambrose like Austin (ah to dream.), etc.
But if Vince were to offer Punk the Main Event at Mania against Brock, do you think that's the one carrot that might pull him back? Would Vince even consider something like that?
Do Punk threads still generate clicks?
Someone was actually pointing out in one of the other Punk threads that Vince playing the HHH role in 2011 in that feud would have been spectacular. "You don't mind if I call you Phil, do you?" And you goddamn well know that Vince wouldn't have put himself over in that situation.
As for now, anything is possible. I stand by my assertion that Vince probably has a literal dump truck full of $100 bills ready to drive up to Punk's front door in Chicago should anything ever happen to Cena. They may be on bad terms now, but time and money heal all wounds with Vince.
I imagine Punk, like most artists/performers, just want to be liked and validated most of all by the people that will never be validate him. I believe Punk only came back in 2011 because Vince finally treated him the pretty girl at the dance. With as dedicated to the craft that Punk seems, you have to imagine that he's going to get bored at some point with having nothing but time on his hands and will get that itch to return.
ReplyDeleteReminder that they already did Punk/Brock and did a disappointing buyrate.
ReplyDeleteReigns is not going to work out. I still have no idea why they think he's the guy. Ambrose is CLEARLY the guy. Reigns would be another Orton.
ReplyDeleteWould not surprise me to see Punk return in January, especially if the Network numbers keep tanking.
Good call on Vince being a better foil for Punk than Hunter. HHH inserting himself in that feud, and he and his broken-down buddy killing his momentum was the beginning of the end of Punk, as well as all the missed WM main events despite being a #1 heel on numerous occasions. I loved that he didn't hide his disdain for Miz of all people headlining WM while Punk was a gigantic heat magnet with the SES.
ReplyDeleteIt's become evident that Reigns benefitted from being big and tough and hitting his signature spots while Ambrose & Rollins were doing crazy shit around him.
ReplyDeleteHe pretty much admitted as much on his DVD doc, telling Michael Hayes that he was at the end of his rope being overlooked time and again despite being a top performer. I loved that when Hayes told Punk that he had to play the hand he was dealt, Punk simply replied, "No I don't." I think that was a clear cut sign that Punk was not like most of the roster where he needs the WWE more than they need him; he could walk when he no longer wanted to be there and he didn't. Hell, if they didn't let him cut loose with the Pipebomb, he probably would've been gone by that summer.
ReplyDeleteReminder that it was fucking awesome.
ReplyDelete....Money. always the bottom line. Not Star ratingz.
ReplyDeleteBryan/Brock would be awesome, no doubt. I definitely want to see it...but I have a feeling that we very well may see either Punk/Bryan in the ME at Mania this year for the title, or in the top undercard match due to Punk returning and screwing Bryan OUT of the title. Vince knows Bryan is a top guy and a draw, but I think he'll (try to) hold off on putting the title back on him again for a while. Not to build suspense, but just b/c Vince is a stubborn old fuck and had to be pretty much forced at gunpoint to let Bryan win it all this year.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, I say all of that in full confidence that Regins will be nowhere near where they want him to be in time for Mania. Dude has cooled off BIG time.
Ah, but see this would be a hero who has been dearly missed, returning to conquer an unstoppable monster. The last one was just a couple guys on the roster.
ReplyDeleteAs with many things, timing and motivation is everything.
I saw a recent picture of CM Punk at a concert and he just looked like a new man. The didn't have those awful bags under his eyes, he looked fresh and revived. I really think he is done wrestling for some time, the corporate structure of WWE just sucked his love of wrestling dry. Comical that people keep holding out for him, he was an Attitude Era kid who wanted wrestle in the same style he grew up loving.
ReplyDeleteYou're talking to a guy that names himself after Virgil...
ReplyDeleteI still think he's getting good pops. And there is no doubt that he's improving. (Will he peak? Who can say.) He just needs more time. And really what he needs is an amazing feud which...I guess just hasn't quite happened yet.
ReplyDeleteRock and HHH had like 5 years to get it together and become champions. From Maivia V. Hunter to Nation V. DX to Rock V. HHH.
Reigns is just barely out of the Maivia phase.
You could tell by the end of his run he looked beat the fuck up and needed to get away.
ReplyDeleteSure, but circumstances have changed a bit since then. Punk's got "Special Attraction" heat now, and Brock's way more over than he was then (when he was coming off three straight stupid HHH matches). Also, that show was sold as "Bryan vs. Cena with Triple H as guest ref" with Punk/Brock on the undercard.
ReplyDeleteNot saying it'd draw this time, just saying it's a totally different situation. WM vs. Summerslam's a relevant point, too.
I don't think you're right, but I want you to be. Bryan/Punk at Mania would be the tits.
ReplyDeleteIf Punk comes back, I hope he's not booked in an "I Quit" match.
ReplyDeleteEh… he kinda skipped the Maivia phase. He's out of the Nation phase, now. The dominant stable's breakout member. It's sink-or-swim time, methinks.
ReplyDeleteScrew Reigns. His whole style reminds me too much of Orton (as a face) and a little of Goldberg, both of whom I can't stand or am sick of (Orton). Reigns also has a little of Cena's style too, and for the record, screw him too.
ReplyDeleteWho never had the star power Punk did? Are you talking about The Rock?
ReplyDeleteSort of. Though he was never really the "leader" of the Shield the way Rock was the leader of the Nation when he joined.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I think you're right though. the Shield protected him the way a bunny slope protects a child. He got thrown into the Black Diamonds. (Woo Skiing!)
CM Punk needs to do Austin's podcast.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine the pop if "Cult of Personality" hits at the Rumble?
ReplyDeleteRock wasn't the leader of the Nation. Farooq was. Then Rock took over, because unlike Reigns, Rock could use a goddamn microphone without making people change the channel.
ReplyDeleteIt's really, really hard to be a top level guy without being able to use the mic. You need either superhuman charisma/presentation (Andre, Brock, Goldberg), a great manager (Andre, Brock, and Taker), or you have to be able to actually give a goddamn promo (everybody else).
Orton might be the one exception to that, but he had his dad around and the awesome Legend Killer gimmick. Reigns needs a hook like that, or a mystique like Goldberg's, if he wants to succeed. Right now he's just Diesel without the charisma.
Batista.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, this whole thing is doing nothing but validate the fact that Punk should have just stayed away for a month (or more) after walking out with the title at MitB.
ReplyDeleteHe's been gone for 6 months and his starpower has only grown.
I think the list of people who could take down Brock is fairly short at this juncture, unfortunately. As are the people who could ME Mania.
ReplyDeleteCena, Punk, DBry.
And who else is there?
Reigns isn't ready. Ambrose and Rollins are closer but also not quite ready to Main Event Mania. Bray's awesome but needs rehab. Kane and Orton are done. Batista doesn't like the PG era, likes being a heel, and while he misses it, he really was good enough in Guardians that he may never need the WWE again. Am I missing someone?
Or hit up Y2J on tha TWITTAAAAAAH!
ReplyDeleteGod I hate when he does that.
I'd love Punk to come back, but on his own terms. If it gets to the point of negotiations, I hope he drops the demands for the return of the WWE Ice Cream Bars and asks for WWE Cheap Pops to come back instead.
ReplyDeleteBrock himself?
ReplyDeleteI could see him saying "Fuck it" and just not showing up anymore as champion.
Or have HHH bring Angle or Goldberg back as a "ringer"
I have no doubt Punk will be back. Not any time soon, but I think it's inevitable. That said, if he never comes back, I won't be too surprised. Not gonna lie, though, I do miss him on TV.
ReplyDeleteWell, both Orton (and Batista) had HHH and Flair supporting them as well. So I don't even think Orton is your one exception. I think he proves your point. Both guys learned a ton and they got all the heat and protection they could ever desire.
ReplyDeleteEsp. with the dynamic flipped of Bryan getting revenge against megaheel (or megatweener) Punk.
ReplyDeleteNo, Cornette's podcast.
ReplyDeleteFirst man to quit wins?
ReplyDeleteRight behind HBK!
ReplyDeleteI think Brock is perfectly happy in his role. Show up once every two weeks. Do a match once every six and get paid extremely well to do so.
ReplyDeleteMAAAYYBE Angle. Goldberg is out of the question.
Nah, he will. I forget who said it, but whoever said "You don't wrestle for 13 years if you don't have a passion for the business and that never truly goes away." was dead on.
ReplyDeleteDear lord that would have been huge. Imagine a three month wait?
ReplyDeleteThat's why Ricky Morton keeps doing it. The passion!
ReplyDeleteHey...cocaine is a hell of a drug!
ReplyDeleteMeh. Technically sound, but they never really clicked in their matches. Both did better with Cena.
ReplyDeleteAll the Del Rio matches you can stomach!
ReplyDeleteReally? I only hear a couple tepid chants for him now, mostly centered around AJ.
ReplyDeleteEh, beg to differ. That one match that ended with the pin/submission finish was better than Bryan/Cena and all but one of the Punk/Cena series in my estimation, and with a Mania main you have to assume they'd both be at their absolute apex.
ReplyDeletePlus, Punk's better as a heel (or tweener) and Bryan's better as a face, so that should help, too.
Yeah, face Bryan with the manic energy is what really pushed him to the top the past year or so.
ReplyDeleteWow, even Meltzer would accuse you of covering all bases there! "No doubt he'll be back, but maybe not right away, but you wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't come back at all."
ReplyDeleteI can't listen to Jericho's podcast. He's just annoying to me these days.
ReplyDeleteI have to usually skip the first 15 minutes because of these facts.
ReplyDeleteYep, i think his overall star power is WAY overrated. As pointed out, his PPV buyrates really weren't that big, and the "CM Punk chants" fad is almost non existant now.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if any of you know this, but Chris Jericho is in a rock band. You think he would mention it once in a while.
ReplyDeleteOr any time really. I think it would be even better if it were during a heyman/Brock promo where they are bragging about how they've destroyed all challengers. Plus cult just resonates - we hear it and mark out. Like real American. Or like the total opposite we feel when randy ortons shirty music hits
ReplyDeletePpv buy rates mean nothing. Punk is a star and they need stars.
ReplyDeleteI think Punk and Vince could get past things since Vince seems to like him and respects guys who stand up to him....but he pissed Stephanie and HHH off, while supposedly walking away from working with HHH, so that could hurt him.
ReplyDeleteUnless that money is going in my pockets I'll take the star ratingz.
ReplyDeleteI can't see him coming back. One of the reasons he left was the part timers getting main event spots. He would BE one of those guys, in this senerio.
ReplyDeleteBrock at mania needs to "make" someone like Reings. If he isn't ready, have Brock go over the Rock or someone else, and build it to wrestlemania 32
Lot of other places to go other than the WWE, if your doing it for fhe passion,
ReplyDeletereally? PPV buy rates mean nothing? So making money in wrestling means nothing?
ReplyDeleteAngle is 46 years old.
ReplyDeleteIt'd also be great in one of those classic Survivor Series setups- say it's team Bryan (with Cena, Dolph, Reigns, and Ambrose) vs. Team Authority (HHH, Brock, Orton, Rollins, Kane). The buildup (assuming a strong showing at NOC) sells Cena as the guy who can slow down Brock.
ReplyDeleteBeginning of the show, Brock butchers Cena in the locker room/parking lot/sauna whatever. For the main event, HHH is in the ring gloating after the entrances but before the bell, does a cheesy setup line like
Hunter: "Five As against Four Bs. I gotta tell you, the odds don't look good."
Bryan: "And a C."
Hunter: "What? Oh, lemme guess: C for Cena? Look, buddy, he can't even stand up right now, let alone wrestle. That's an F, not a C."
*Cult of Personality hits, Bryan smirks*
Bryan: Really more of CM, if you wanna get technical about it.
*Punk emerges*
Punk (not micced): C is for Clobberin' Time! *rushes the ring, brawl breaks out*
Now, my terrible fantasy booking dialogue aside, the pop would be interstellar.
Also, the match would be excellent.
I could see bringing Angle back for a Royal Rumble title match. They could rehash the history with Lesnar and then Angle would lose. But from everything I've read the WWE has no interest in Angle, so oh well.
ReplyDeleteReigns may not be the guy, but Ambrose is definitely not the guy.
ReplyDeleteYou know who for sure is the guy? Rollins, he can do anything and has proven his ability to play every role.
What buy rates? He never headlined the shows he was on while he was champion. If anything, that's on Cena because he was still the focus of the show, and always has been.
ReplyDeleteThe only Fozzy I care about is the Muppet that tells bad jokes and goes WAKA WAKA
ReplyDeleteBatista was really over, but he didn't hit the kind of zeitgeist Punk did in 2011-12, nor did Batista ever generate the kind of gigantic heat Punk did in his Jeff feud and with the SES.
ReplyDeleteSays who?
ReplyDelete