CM Punk

[MT]

Hey, CM Punk has been a top trending topic on twitter for the entire United States for about seven hours now. Do you suppose they'll put up one of those infographics about it on RAW this coming Monday?

No?

By all accounts he's not a big spender, he made a lot of money on his last contract, and he doesn't want to put up with their crap anymore. I don't really care for what I know of the man, but more power to him. I think his pre-Rumble tweet of "the view never changes" should have been fair warning. There are probably a lot of "WWE Superstars" (TM) pissed off that Batista came right in and took the Mania main event, but he's the only one willing to put his money where his mouth is and walk. As much as I've liked the Batista character in the past, this isn't like The Rock coming in to move heaven and earth and huge buyrates. It's Batista, who was a top "B" guy in a truly "B level era", if you want to use Triple H's vernacular and Batista's own words against him (when he called Del Rio a "C level star in a B level era"). To be honest the WWE hasn't had a roster full of "A" level talent since the early 2000s, and treating Batista like a returning Rock or Hulk Hogan is probably upsetting a whole lot of people in the company.

We'll see where this goes. If he's really and truly gone for good, it'll be at least July until he can show up in another company (which would surely be ROH, if he does come back) unless he can arrange a full release from his contract.

[maddog1981]

The sad thing is I doubt he could really move the needle for TNA or RoH. That's not a shot at Punk, just the reality of wrestling. I think New Japan will throw a metric shit ton at him though. Could you imagine Dome shows headlined by Okada/Punk and Tanahashi/Punk?

[maddog1981]

And Punk will probably have to sit until his contract runs out this summer.

[MT]

New Japan couldn't do any bigger business with him than they are without him. In fact, it would just screw up what they've got built at the moment. ROH would get a huge boost because they've got the support in place to take advantage. Even an ROH hater can't deny that. Using TNA and ROH in the same sentence like that is silly. There's no comparison between companies. Do you think for one second that CM Punk returning to ROH would not be absolutely friggin huge? No one's going to be an instant close second in the US wrestling scene, but damn it's foolish to think there wouldn't be a massive boost in sales and attendance.

[maddog1981]

It would be big and bring some diehards back but I don't think it would make a huge impact or bring any WWE fans over in large numbers. I don't think anyone can do that now.

[maddog1981]

And it isn't meant to be an RoH shot. Believe it or not I do tell people who are tired of WWE to check them out for an alternative. No one ever does. I just think wrestling in the U.S. is WWE now.

[tyguy]

From the WWN newsletter.

January 29th: CM Punk has been red hot in the news for the past 12 hours. In fact, DGUSA/EVOLVE Booker Gabe Sapolsky has already been flooded with requests for Punk to appear in the WWNLive Family, which includes DGUSA, EVOLVE, SHINE and FIP, where Punk had a lengthy run in 2004-2005. Sapolsky has this statement on Punk:

"CM Punk and I were close at one time, but have not spoken in months. There was no falling out or heat to my knowledge, it's just how things go with both of us leading very different lives now. In other words, I have no inside track or info, just a take on things. I have already received many messages with fans asking for Punk in DGUSA and EVOLVE, especially with the shows coming up in New Orleans on April 3rd, 4th and 5th as part of the WWNLive Experience. However, knowing Punk I would be shocked if he ever did an independent wrestling show again. There's probably a better chance HHH shows up at a non-WWE event. Punk has given himself 110% to the business over the last few years. His scheduled amazed me because there was no way any human should have had to endure it. He gave his heart, soul and body to WWE and every wrestling fan. My take on all this is it is best now to just leave Punk alone. Let him recharge, refresh and get his life back. He mentally and physically needs it. If and when he's ready to do something, I'm sure he will. Just leave him alone and let him be."

[Deleted]

Jan 29, 2014 12:36:33 GMT -4 maddog1981 said:

Could you imagine Dome shows headlined by Okada/Punk and Tanahashi/Punk?

They'd never put CM Punk in a main event at the Tokyo Dome.

[wildfire]

I haven't seen the interview yet, but if it's not a work, my guess is he'd take time off... see how badly WWE wanted him back, then re-assess.

Any chance he'd stay away from RoH because of RoH's issues with Colt Cabana?

[Deleted]

I think Punk said he wanted to have his last match in ROH.

[maddog1981]

It sounds like they are giving the talent the run around about PPV payoffs and he's just burnt out. I could easily see him just taking a year off. I think the WWE will pay out his deal which ends in July.

But I could see him doing an RoH mini-run and just calling it quits. I don't think he wants to or needs to do the indy hustle accept for something to do.

[Deleted]

Dudes what if Punk quit because KENTA got a tryout and WWE told him he can't use the Go 2 Sleep anymore?

[maddog1981]

Meltzer said the main reasons for quitting are:

1. burn out
2. concern over PPV pay outs due to the Network which they are kind of giving the talent the run around about
3. being upset that part timers like Batista are getting the prime Mania spots when the guys in the trenches aren't
4 working so low on the Mania card

[Deleted]

"working so low on the Mania card"

YOU'RE IN A FUCKING FEATURED MATCH WITH TRIPLE H.

[maddog1981]

Eh, I don't have an issue with his reasons. I can see his frustrations and all that. It sounds like he's just done with the grind honestly.