CM Punk v. John Laurinaitis

[Majunior]

http://www.tpww.net/2012/01/cm-punk-john-laurinaitis-feud-the-rocks-return/

"WWE is building to CM Punk hitting John Laurinaitis, and talking that it will be similar to how big it was when Steve Austin finally hit Vince McMahon with the Stunner during the Attitude era.

Seriously?
I guess I'm having trouble seeing just how CM Punk v. Johnny Ace could be as big. Ace is no VKM Jr. and Punk, much as we love him, isn't an Austin. (Which is good in some ways, bad in others, but I digress.) I don't see how two stars who aren't as "big" as the originals can rehash a storyline and have it be "as big" as the original.

I know the WWE tends to think the fans have like zero memory of anything that happened more than 2 - 3 weeks ago, but is that REALLY what they're banking on?

Maybe I'm jaded... or just old... but I really only see this being a "huge moment" for the younger fans who just weren't around to witness the Austin v. McMahon thing.

Yes, I realize you can still see it via Youtube and DVDs, but in my honest opinion, Austin stunning McMahon -- as well as some other iconic moments -- just aren't the same when watching them this way if you didn't see them originally. You see what happened, sure, but you don't have the attachment you probably would have had if you had "been along for the ride" so to speak. For us, those moments were the culmination of a build... as fans, we had some sort of investment. Even now, when we watch it on a DVD or YouTube, it draws on nostalgia. For the younger crowd YouTube let's you say, "That was fuckin' awesome," but it just doesn't carry that same sense of fulfillment or "emotional investment" if you will.

So, am I selling this short? Is WWE expecting too much? Thoughts?

[James Diesel]

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[Nicky Fives]

WWE is expecting FAR too much..... Laurinaitis (as a character) couldn't lace the $1000 Gucci shoes of Mr. Vincent Kennedy McMahon......It's a different time and a different era.....

[DLVH84]

Punk vs. Ace would be interesting, as they could put on some good matches, if it happens.

[Testicle]

"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ODm1iDVvxpY" allowfullscreen="" width="420" frameborder="0" height="315"></iframe> (http://www.tpww.net/forums/%3Ciframe%20width=)

Punk would job out to the dynamic Johnny Ace.

[jskinnyg]

Not to happy about Johnny Ace riht now...

[Lock Jaw]

We have had years and years of Top Babyface wrestler hitting Authority Figure now. When Austin/McMahon happened it was fairly new.

[#1-norm-fan]

lol. It's just funny to read about a wrestling storyline building up to someone hitting someone.

[whiteyford]

It seems like fairly common sense booking to me. If they build it slowly enough it could be a pretty hot angle, although Johnny Ace is no McMahon,i guess it all comes down to how they present it.

[Juan]

So we're just gonna believe Ryan Clark on this one?

[whiteyford]

Hes a first class reporter i'm sure

[Corporate CockSnogger]

That's kinda the way I originally wanted them to go with Triple H in charge. Just have months and months of animosity between him and Punk, with Triple H generally just being a fair authority figure, neither face nor heel. Eventually leading to Punk twatting Hunter and leading to an actual good match.

[Corporate CockSnogger]

Okay so that is pretty much what happened, but I wanted it to go a bit longer I suppose.

[#1-norm-fan]

That's kinda the way I originally wanted them to go with Triple H in charge. Just have months and months of animosity between him and Punk, with Triple H generally just being a fair authority figure, neither face nor heel. Eventually leading to Punk twatting Hunter and leading to an actual good match.

I really wanted it to build slowly up to Punk vs HHH Title vs COO spot at WrestleMania. WWE loves to blow their load as soon as possible though.

[Tazz Dan]

So we're just gonna believe Ryan Clark on this one?

The guy has Facebook 'fans' and twitter followers!!! How can the guy not be legit???

[Heyman]

One reason why CM Punk hasn't reached the level of popularity that was expected of him from last year, is because of shit like this: Lack of originality.

If the WWE really think that Punk/Laurinitis can be like Austin/Vince, then they have no clue what they're doing. Fans can smell a rip off a mile away.

If the WWE had any sense, they would've had CM Punk continue to rip on anyone and EVERYONE. Guys like John Cena, Triple H, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, etc., etc.

Hell - why not even have CM Punk make fun of Brock Lesnar for getting his ass kicked? Think something like that could tease the fans? (i.e. future Punk/Lesnar match). Think THAT would get people REALLY talking?

Fans started cheering Punk due to his uniqueness and ability to say ANYTHING. Upon turning face however, they've made him "politically correct"......which was everything that CM Punk was against.

[JKWJRMON]

Johnny Ace, I believe is a big reason why the rating have gone down. Also I believe Michael Cole's broadcasting is another reason why as well.

They were too quick to shitcan the HHH angle. So, the whole CM Punk - Johnny Ace angle shouldn't eve be a thought, I would much rather discuss replacing Johnny Ace.

[JKWJRMON]

I really wanted it to build slowly up to Punk vs HHH Title vs COO spot at WrestleMania. WWE loves to blow their load as soon as possible though.




That would be interesting, but I think a Jericho - CM Punk match is more exciting.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Johnny Ace, I believe is a big reason why the rating have gone down. Also I believe Michael Cole's broadcasting is another reason why as well.

They were too quick to shitcan the HHH angle. So, the whole CM Punk - Johnny Ace angle shouldn't eve be a thought, I would much rather discuss replacing Johnny Ace.

Michael Cole has been with the WWE since 1997. If anything a heel announcer should bring in audience because people love that shit. He's not Heenan but he's not horrible in the role. Just like Johnny Ace may not be Vince but he's doing an excellent job bringing in the cheap heel heat.

I'm not sure but this might be the first time in his career that he was a full-time heel.

[Ruien]

One reason why CM Punk hasn't reached the level of popularity that was expected of him from last year, is because of shit like this: Lack of originality.

If the WWE really think that Punk/Laurinitis can be like Austin/Vince, then they have no clue what they're doing. Fans can smell a rip off a mile away.

If the WWE had any sense, they would've had CM Punk continue to rip on anyone and EVERYONE. Guys like John Cena, Triple H, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, etc., etc.

Hell - why not even have CM Punk make fun of Brock Lesnar for getting his ass kicked? Think something like that could tease the fans? (i.e. future Punk/Lesnar match). Think THAT would get people REALLY talking?

Fans started cheering Punk due to his uniqueness and ability to say ANYTHING. Upon turning face however, they've made him "politically correct"......which was everything that CM Punk was against.

How is ripping on people original? The Rock did it to everyone and is still doing it to John Cena.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Rock didn't break kayfabe.

[Xero]

DX ripped on people all the time, and they shattered Kayfabe every time they did it.

[Xero]

I've kind of assumed this is where they're going. I just hope that we don't see Punk vs. Laurinitis at SummerSlam or some shit.

[Lock Jaw]

"Let's blow our load on the Punk/Cena and Punk/HHH feuds.... Wait, Punk/Laurinitis feud?! We gotta build that up!"

[Xero]

Honestly, the angle could work if Laurinitis wasn't Lauinitis. I don't care if they rehash something, even something as big and iconic as the Austin/McMahon feud. But Laurinitis will never be anywhere near as over, as charasmatic and as great of a character McMahon was, and should not be put in this position. Those were the things that made Vince work, his charisma and his character, along with the shoot factor of the screwjob. Laurinitis is about as charismatic as a tree and, at best, has unintentionally good moments at times.

[Lock Jaw]

Laurinitis is about as charismatic as a tree

http://i.imgur.com/NlbW8.gif

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

OK!

[MoFo]

Johnny Ace, I believe is a big reason why the rating have gone down. Also I believe Michael Cole's broadcasting is another reason why as well.


Fuck off, maybe people just dont give a shit about lame ass Punk.

Theres a mute button if ppl dont wanna hear Cole.

[Corporate CockSnogger]

Laurinaitis is great.

[BigCrippyZ]

Honestly, the angle could work if Laurinitis wasn't Lauinitis. I don't care if they rehash something, even something as big and iconic as the Austin/McMahon feud. But Laurinitis will never be anywhere near as over, as charasmatic and as great of a character McMahon was, and should not be put in this position. Those were the things that made Vince work, his charisma and his character, along with the shoot factor of the screwjob. Laurinitis is about as charismatic as a tree and, at best, has unintentionally good moments at times.

:yes: Agreed. I honestly thought they were going to go this route with HHH at first too. The only difference would be of course, HHH is actually charismatic and can be a really great heel.

Even though I'm sure people would complain that it would then become the HHH show, I'd rather have that than the entertainment stylings of Laurinitis.

[Damndirty]

This would have worked if they had revealed Ace to be the anonymous Raw GM, but they didn't, so no room has been made for Ace to be despised for anything but his lame acting and dialogue. Vince was an evil bloodthirsty pervert who did what he wanted and said what he wanted, Ace.... who the fuck is he? A guy who used to wrestle back forever ago and kinda stayed backstage all these years in places nobody seen him. Really? Like Xero said, he'd have to "not" be Laurinitis. Here's some ideas on how to fix the character to something "almost" like that of Mcmahon:
He'd have to threaten people's lives, not just their careers, and use Otunga's law skills to make him untouchable.
Have a band of goons to clear the ring for him when he gets bored of seeing people, or just simply protect him or get his coffee for him. He could have them yank out a random fan from the audience and tear him/her apart
Rape divas, impregnate them, and force them to have abortions
Talk shit to the troops and tell them how useless he feels they are
Basically, he'd have to do things Vince wouldn't do, or it'd just be more mimicking of previous times and no originality would be used.

[Corporate CockSnogger]

Nah Ace is fantastic as he is. One of my current favourite characters.

[#1-norm-fan]

Michael Cole has been with the WWE since 1997. If anything a heel announcer should bring in audience because people love that shit. He's not Heenan but he's not horrible in the role.

Other than just not being Heenan, the difference is he isn't a commentator, he's the play by play guy. Heenan had someone to call the match while he added in his snide comments. Cole just bitches and argues leaving no one to call the action.

[Ruien]

Well I doubt they honestly feel like Punk vs Laurinaitis will be anywhere near Stone Cold vs Vince, it would be retarded for them to say that. It would be retarded for them to tell the world that they people they have on the roster will never be near as popular as the people from the attitude era.

[Majunior]

Well, as has been said, the WWE isn't really concerned with play by play anymore. I think it's amazing that they FINALLY realized that Cole burying everyone MIGHT be part of the reason they're having trouble building stars.

Gee, it only took a year to figure it out? Brilliant.

Back on topic, Laurinaitis just isn't interesting. Daniel Bryan is more charismatic and engaging than Johnny Ace, by a landslide. I think rehashing an old angle is less likely to be effective, but if you're going to do it, you need quality talent.

Laurinaitis is not quality talent. Divas matches are a hell of a lot more entertaining than anything he has to say. I now prefer to watch Eve blunder around the ring and tale a piss when Johnny Ace comes out to drone on and on.

I do agree that the WWE killed any real steam Punk was building by rushing things yet again, which did no one any favors.

I just can't see how the WWE hopes to pull this off.

(Assuming of course that all this is accurate, and Ryan Clark didn't just get bored and make shit up.)

[Corporate CockSnogger]

Nah you're flat out wrong, and so is everybody else that has a bad word to say about Laurinaitis.

[teamXtremist]

seen it before could care less if punk bats up the interim gm

[ace3025]

This whole idea completely contradicts another post from the front page. How in the world can WWE feel that within the same storyline/character (punk/laurinitis) lies the reason for ratings being bad, and the biggest payoff. I mean, seriously, 2 weeks ago we were told they are considering taking the belt off of punk because no one cares, and now we are told that punk as champion hitting laurinitis will be as big as, if not bigger, than stone cold stunning mcmahon?!?!?
Top notch reporting

[Anybody Thrilla]

seen it before could care less if punk bats up the interim gm


But would you care if he 'bats up' the executive vice president of talent relations? I think you would.

[Damndirty]

Vince had all the power in his time and was the owner who was the babyfaced commentator before he became an onscreen dictator, and in his time Stone Cold was throwing pipe bombs that people were digging, so this Punk vs. Laurinitis is only a weak spinoff of it from the way it looks. Like I said, Ace cannot top Vince doing what Vince already did, so he really will have to be something different that does, and Otunga as a lawyer should be the thing to let him get away with some sick shit. Not expecting it to turn out this way however, because of the lame PG standard.

[Mr. Pierre]

Not sure if it's been said in this thread, but Cole should be in Ace's role.

[BigCrippyZ]

Not sure if it's been said in this thread, but Cole should be in Ace's role.

I actually thought this was the route they were planning on taking with him a year or two ago when he really started to hate on Daniel Bryan on NXT, etc. He did such a great job as a heel then, but if he's going to play the heel role like he that, he shouldn't really be the play-by-play guy IMO.

Based on his work from the last year or two, I actually think he would be a great heel "authority figure" to replace Vince. HHH would be my next obvious pick. Laurinaitis just doesn't have the charisma or personality for it IMO, even though he's doing an average job at it currently.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It should really still be Triple H, "the suit," trying to keep the WWE Title off Punk, who has had disparaging things to say about the McMahon family Hunter married into. Triple H is finally provoked enough for a match with Punk at WrestleMania for the WWE Title, with Triple H sacrificing his position as COO for the match, because he really hates Punk that much.

Then you can have John Laurinaitis take over, in the wake of Triple H's defeat, after playing background lackey for so long, and his heat would be tremendous. Punk then has to deal with the devil he doesn't know.

Imagine a WrestleMania card with John Cena vs. The Rock, CM Punk vs. Triple H, Daniel Bryan vs. Chris Jericho and maybe something like The Undertaker vs. Rob Van Dam (RVD should be free to work the show, technically).

[Xero]

Wait, what? RVD is gone from TNA?

[whiteyford]

His contract expires soon and the rumours are that he wants to jump back to WWE when it does.

[XL]

I have no desire to see RVD back in WWE.

[XL]

Punk should have a match against Johnny on one PPV, then team with him the next as if there was no issue between them at all.

[Corporate CockSnogger]

Don't think they'd be willing to make Punk look like the lesser man just yet.

[#1-norm-fan]

I have no desire to see RVD back in WWE.

I wouldn't mind. He brings some credibility with him and he can still put on some great matches. A Punk vs RVD feud would potentially be amazing.

[Corporate CockSnogger]

I wouldn't care about RVD coming back, but I never really cared about him in the first place.

[Captain of Fun]

Outside of gimmick matches, I feel like RVD's post ECW matches were always very routine and predictable.

[whiteyford]

Unless he's actually motivated it does just seem to be moving from one spot to the next,unfortunately thats most of his matches.

[#1-norm-fan]

As long a Punk's involved, the matches would be fine. The feud could be intriguing though.

[Lock Jaw]

Hate RVD so much. Hope he does not come back.