After watch Raw...

[Ziggles]

...I believe, that CM Punk should defeat The Rock at Royal Rumble. In Michael Cole's words, "solidify himself" as one of the best ever.

Not sure where to go from here.

I'll try not to go on and on but...

CM Punk is WWE on a day to day basis. Defeating The Rock could "solidify" CM Punk as one of the elite.

What do you think?

Is CM Punk already one of the elite?

Does he need this win?

What will losing do to his career?

How would this affect CM Punk vs. The Undertaker at WM?

[James Steele]

http://barbershopwindow.com/IMAGES/HANUKKAH%20HAVOC.jpg

[Bad News Gertner]

Punk isn't elite, he shouldn't beat the Rock. Taker vs Punk doesn't need the belt. Stop with this nonsense.

[Rammsteinmad]

Christian lost to Orton after having the title for five days, and they went on to have the best feud of 2011.

Daniel Bryan lost to Sheamus at Wrestlemania 28 in 14 seconds or whatever it was, and he went on to become arguably the most entertaining character of 2012, without becoming a "comedy character" ie. Zack Ryder, Santino.

I want CM Punk to win, because I like him more than the Rock, and because I'm a huge sucker for long title reigns, but I'm being optimistic that even if he loses, something special can still come out of it.

[Bobby Jaggers]

I think I should challenge Taker for the streak.

[Tazz Dan]

Raw thread.

[Big Vic]

When "The Sheild" starting jumping the Rock, I'm surprised Michael Cole didn't say "The Numbers Game is catching up to the Rock!"

http://mathwire.com/images/24game.gif -------> http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQLR7Ttg6WxiFJkTfNLcusI8dAKqJJlyTSidR2biihGIL_4Tmfy

[Nicky Fives]

I cannot see anything good coming from Punk losing, unless Dwayne actually comes back full-time.....

[CSL]

he wouldn't need to be back full time if he beat Punk, just the build to Mania/whenever he drops the belt

[Wishbone]

Unless Rock wins the belt to drop it to some new young talent him winning would be pointless. Punk has everything to gain from a win against Rocky. It would solidify him as a top star (which he is), and it would give him the momentum to be the top heel of the company for a long time to come (which seems like the direction WWE wants to take with him).

I'm not opposed to having Punk drop the title to Rocky however, I just don't think the Rumble is the place to do it. A one on one loss to Rock would only make today's stars look even weaker, which is what Cena's loss did. Have Punk go over at the Rumble one on one, and then when Elimination Chamber comes he can drop it there so he doesn't look weak.

However, if Rock isn't going to drop the title at WM or shortly after to someone "young and fresh" then he shouldn't win the belt at all. The only good that can come of a Rock title reign is it being used to put over a new talent, not having it just set up Cena vs Rock II.

[Bad News Gertner]

He's not a franchise player. Stop.

[CSL]

Unless Rock wins the belt to drop it to some new young talent him winning would be pointless. Punk has everything to gain from a win against Rocky. It would solidify him as a top star (which he is), and it would give him the momentum to be the top heel of the company for a long time to come (which seems like the direction WWE wants to take with him).

I'm not opposed to having Punk drop the title to Rocky however, I just don't think the Rumble is the place to do it. A one on one loss to Rock would only make today's stars look even weaker, which is what Cena's loss did. Have Punk go over at the Rumble one on one, and then when Elimination Chamber comes he can drop it there so he doesn't look weak.

However, if Rock isn't going to drop the title at WM or shortly after to someone "young and fresh" then he shouldn't win the belt at all. The only good that can come of a Rock title reign is it being used to put over a new talent, not having it just set up Cena vs Rock II.

Punk is already a top star. He is already the top heel. Losing to a bonafide crossover star, a legend, a potential top 5 of all time guy does not hurt him or any current active guy in the slightest. Losing it in a singles to Rock certainly doesn't make him look weak. Putting Rock in a Chamber match is a complete waste. And with the right build, a good match and "the right story", Cena beating Rock for the belt at Mania could be Cena's "WrestleMania Moment", the one that gets played in 20 years next to Hogan/Andre, Austin lifting at 14 etc. And if some people took the time to take it for what it is, remove their fantasy booker/"I know the business" cap, they might actually enjoy it.

[Wishbone]

Punk is already a top star. He is already the top heel. Losing to a bonafide crossover star, a legend, a potential top 5 of all time guy does not hurt him or any current active guy in the slightest. Losing it in a singles to Rock certainly doesn't make him look weak. Putting Rock in a Chamber match is a complete waste. And with the right build, a good match and "the right story", Cena beating Rock for the belt at Mania could be Cena's "WrestleMania Moment", the one that gets played in 20 years next to Hogan/Andre, Austin lifting at 14 etc. And if some people took the time to take it for what it is, remove their fantasy booker/"I know the business" cap, they might actually enjoy it.

Cena's already as far as he's gonna go. Him going over Rock doesn't accomplish anything. The people who hate him will continue to hate him, and the people who love him will continue to love him regardless of what happens. Cena beating Rock does absolutely nothing for the business.

Why would you waste an opportunity to actually make a star just to add another accolade to someone who's already made? Use Rock's reign to put someone like Ryback, Sheamus, hell even Orton over to that next level so you have someone besides Cena to turn to when you need a ratings boost.

[CSL]

There are 364 other days to make stars, if that's what they wanted to do. Going over Rock at Mania isn't some kind of guaranteed "golden ticket". If they had whoever they felt is "the next Cena" in the wings, you can bet your ass we'd have an idea of that by now and he'd possibly be in that spot. Fuck me, Hogan could have wrestled Chris Benoit at WrestleMania X8 but do you think it'd have been half the spectacle that is was if that was the case? Do you really think "fella vs. smell-la-la-la-la" promos leading into Mania this year is the best they can do? The highest amount of buyrates/PPV revenue possible is just as legit of a business strategy as making a new star.

[Corporate CockSnogger]

lol I would LOVE "fella vs smell-la-la-la-la" promos.

[Kane Knight]

After watch Raw...

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UZakKw_DJ7A?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Tom Guycott]

http://barbershopwindow.com/IMAGES/HANUKKAH%20HAVOC.jpg

I'm very surprised TNA hasn't already tried this.

[mike adamle]

There are 364 other days to make stars, if that's what they wanted to do. Going over Rock at Mania isn't some kind of guaranteed "golden ticket". If they had whoever they felt is "the next Cena" in the wings, you can bet your ass we'd have an idea of that by now and he'd possibly be in that spot. Fuck me, Hogan could have wrestled Chris Benoit at WrestleMania X8 but do you think it'd have been half the spectacle that is was if that was the case? Do you really think "fella vs. smell-la-la-la-la" promos leading into Mania this year is the best they can do? The highest amount of buyrates/PPV revenue possible is just as legit of a business strategy as making a new star.

No but some feed me more vs. candy ass promos would be fine. Or show off promos vs. the most electrifying man in sports entertainment promos. You're right about the Hogan-Benoit thing. But we've already gotten Rock-Cena. Try something new.

[Keith]

I think CM Punk is already elite. Winning or losing at the Royal Rumble isn't going to really change Punk's status. He's had the WWE Title for over a year now and he's been the top heel for a good chunk of his run.

In terms of a possible feud with Taker leading up to Mania, a loss this Sunday wouldn't affect that either. It could actually help. Next Monday, Taker could make his return, start cutting a promo, and Punk (coming out of a loss at RR and in a bad mood) could come in and jab verbally with The Deadman.

[Kane Knight]

If Punk loses to the Rock, does that mean he's in the doghouse?

[CSL]

where is all of this Punk/Taker talk coming from? Because it seems to come up quite often here recently. Was it reported on the "news sites" and "internet rumour is fact" or is there something more to it etc?

[Keith]

If Punk loses to the Rock, does that mean he's in the doghouse?

Oh, yeah, big time.

Or he's about to be suspended for violating WWE's Wellness Program.

[Lock Jaw]

where is all of this Punk/Taker talk coming from? Because it seems to come up quite often here recently. Was it reported on the "news sites" and "internet rumour is fact" or is there something more to it etc?

One of those "internet rumour" is near identical to "fact" things.

[crusnik]

:y:I cannot see anything good coming from Punk losing, unless Dwayne actually comes back full-time.....

yeah thas the only way I see Rock winning unless some last minute stuff happening like the shield or Maddox or some loophole that let's Rock win but Punk keeps the belt.

[Sepholio]

I'm starting to get the feeling that Punk is gonna retain via DQ due to Lesnar coming out and mangling The Rock. Just sayin'

[NormanSmiley]

I'm starting to get the feeling that Punk is gonna retain via DQ due to Lesnar coming out and mangling The Rock. Just sayin'

i would like to see somehow keep keep his title nottoo concerned about how but lesnar would be fine.

Punk can lose the belt and it not hurt him IF he somehow winds up challenging the rock at mania for that belt. the fued would have to carry over and i dont see that.

my thought has been punk drops to rock, cena wins rumble. rock/cena II only this time for the belt and cena wins for punk to chase him for the belt after rock leaves after mania.

if Lesnar is signed they need to get him in a match at mania while that name still carries weight outside WWE. and hopefully not against HHH.

[Bad News Gertner]

I could see this: Rock defeats Punk for the belt, Punk sneaks into Rumble and wins it.

Sets up Punk vs Roch at Wrestleman

Lesnar vs HHH

Cena vs Taker.

[Anybody Thrilla]

where is all of this Punk/Taker talk coming from? Because it seems to come up quite often here recently. Was it reported on the "news sites" and "internet rumour is fact" or is there something more to it etc?

Anybody with half a brain knows that The Undertaker is facing Sting at Wrestlemania.

[Lock Jaw]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/340FMdHj24c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[CSL]

SID/TAKER II??

[Skippord]

After watch Raw has given me an idea for a post Raw show with a host where they talk about the episode of Raw that was just on like "Talking Dead"

[Lock Jaw]

I know they have something like that in Canada, but I don't think they play it directly after RAW for whatever reason. They play it the day after.

[DAMN iNATOR]

I'm starting to get the feeling that Punk is gonna retain via DQ due to Lesnar coming out and mangling The Rock. Just sayin'

If they did go that route, a genius way to pull that off would be, the match is building towards it's conclusion, but as soon as Rock goes for the cover and gets two:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nkNxcLFdPKM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

plays, and the lights go out and The Shield has the ring surrounded with Punk on the 4th apron/rope area...then Brock comes up from under the ring, F-5’s Rock, leaving him in a heap. The ref has no choice but to call for the DQ but since The Shield just stood there and didn’t get directly involved, still your WWE Champion: CM PUNK! as Punk and Heyman celebrate on the ramp, they watch with delight as Brock locks in the Kimura Lock on Rock and Rock is tapping, until finally refs and other workers race out and put an end to it. Begins the whole build to a potential Brock/Rock match at WM quite nicely. Rock doesn’t need, and doesn’t deserve the belt if he’s only doing a max 3 PPV shows this year. Anyone who believes otherwise is being completely ridiculous.

[Kane Knight]

I know they have something like that in Canada, but I don't think they play it directly after RAW for whatever reason. They play it the day after.

They're not zombies. They just talk slow because they're Canadian.