Historic Title Run and my thoughts...

[OldSchoolFan]

Been thinking about this a lot lately… With it looking like The Rock will be the one to end Punk’s record breaking run on top; how is this good business? I am really not trying to use this as a way to bash The Rock, but simply fail to see how having a very part timer who will barely be seen in the following weeks-likely until a Mania build- be the one to end the longest reign in over 33 years (at that point)? To be totally honest it pains me but Cena really needs to be the one to pull it off him. They put so much in Cena not being able to get the job done (yes he had that victory a few weeks ago on Raw but he cannot beat him when it counts.)
I am even against the idea of Punk holding it until Mania and losing it to Taker- no I am not saying if he fights Taker he should win and I would LOVE to see the build and match for that, but it has the same issue that The Rock doing it has which is a part timer who really would not benefit in any way would have it. Hell Cena really would not benefit BUT at least he is currently full time.
So what I am saying is it either needs to be Cena or someone who needs that last little piece of the puzzle to become a star who gets the title. If you disagree and feel that The Rock or Taker would be good business please explain why.

[Gertner]

The Rock would be a champ who actually draws ratings, God forbid.

[Shadrick]

And if anyone needs to be a transitional champ, wouldn't it be great to pick a "part-timer"? I'm not seeing how this is bad for business. Perhaps you could elaborate more.

[The Condor]

It's bad for hardcore 'rasslin fans, great for business and awesome for nostalgic casual fans. If Punk can show them Something against the casual fan God Rocky, maybe some will come back and push the business long term rather than the short term clusterfuck scenario that everyone seems to be dwelling on.

[OldSchoolFan]

And if anyone needs to be a transitional champ, wouldn't it be great to pick a "part-timer"? I'm not seeing how this is bad for business. Perhaps you could elaborate more.

It just doesn’t seem as good long term. How could it play out past Rumble and not be very predictable. You will have The Rock making likely very few appearances due to the upcoming release of G.I. Joe (which off topic I hope bombs horribly-to no fault of The Rock-just retarded business practices make me feel that way). It totally weakens Punk from a character aspect because he couldn’t even beat a guy who has only had like 3 matches in a decade. (I also felt The Rock winning last year at Mania was stupid. The title run has gotten to a point where it could really MAKE a superstar by being the one to finally topple Punk, but just seems they have been going towards Cena finally overcoming the odds and doing what he was so close to for so long.
I know this would be very predictable as well but just seems much more logical. I personally feel that as I stated in a post some time back they need to go with Punk getting one over on The Rock and Cena winning The Rumble. Then it come to a point where Vince basically says the match needs a special referee who will be totally impartial leading to The Rock being the ref due to hatred of both men.
This way The Rock not appearing regularly will not seem so bad and if the money was right a deal could be made for Rock/Cena II at possibly SummerSlam.

[The Condor]

Its a good idea to have Rock involved. Bad idea for him to win the title. I think Vince has enough of a mind to know that Cena/Punk and UT/Rock will satisfy hardcore and casual fans alike and bring in the best money haul, along with Brock on the card. I don't think fans ought to react any differently right at this point to future plans.

[Tazz Dan]

At the end of the day, more casual and 'old school' fans would purchase Mania with Rock as champ than Punk. It's good business. I can see what you're saying, but WM is all about the buy rates these days and Rock/Cena for the title would appeal much more to the general public than Punk/?

[St. Jimmy]

It's good business for one event, sadly that one event is the biggest of the year when the entire business (WRESTLING) is in a depression. Mania being in NY/NJ means that the media will be all over it and The Dwyane is a huge PPV draw. Cena isn't the ideal guy to face Dwyane for the belt but Cena sells merch to kids and puts asses in seats.

[St. Jimmy]

At the end of the day, more casual and 'old school' fans would purchase Mania with Rock as champ than Punk. It's good business. I can see what you're saying, but WM is all about the buy rates these days and Rock/Cena for the title would appeal much more to the general public than Punk/?

TD, I adore you -but casuals/old school fans don't matter. They're less than 8% of total and they don't buy shit.

[Kane Knight]

TD, I adore you -but casuals/old school fans don't matter. They're less than 8% of total and they don't buy shit.

This is why Doug Basham was such a draw.

[Gertner]

It's good business for one event, sadly that one event is the biggest of the year when the entire business (WRESTLING) is in a depression. Mania being in NY/NJ means that the media will be all over it and The Dwyane is a huge PPV draw. Cena isn't the ideal guy to face Dwyane for the belt but Cena sells merch to kids and puts asses in seats.

Cena is exactly the ideal guy. We can only hope something goes wrong in Punk's rehab and he's forced to vacate because at this rate the WWE will be behind TNA by Wrestlemania.

[St. Jimmy]

This is why Doug Basham was such a draw.

HOW DARE YOU SPEAK ILL OF THE TRUE PEOPLES CHAMPION.

[Tazz Dan]

TD, I adore you -but casuals/old school fans don't matter. They're less than 8% of total and they don't buy shit.

Ditto honey. But I bet there's more people here who stream PPV's than purchase them.... My point was there's more chance of them buying a PPV with Rock headlining than Punk. Normal fans won't not buy because of the main event, but a casual fan might.

[Tazz Dan]

Keep in mind I think Punk should close the show also. I'm just looking at it from a business perspective.

[Schlomey]

Had very little interest in rock vs Cena....but I will actually be buying the rumble. Not only because the rumble is my favorite gimmick but also because punk vs rock is in my top 5 dream matches.


Ratings.


I hate to see punks run end but even I think it will lead to better things.

[XCaliber]

Don't see a problem with it especially the result were The Rock to not win it cleanly by getting help from someone like Ryback or Cena then Punk could go and cry fowl setting up a rematch at WM.

[Kane Knight]

Keep in mind I think Punk should close the show also. I'm just looking at it from a business perspective.

give him enough time, and Punk will close the whole company.