CM Punk removed from all live events

[slik]

CM Punk, who did not appear at last night's RAW, also did not appear at tonight's SmackDown taping in Toledo, Ohio, despite being advertised for the event.

WWE has since removed Punk from almost all of their upcoming live events and television tapings on the events section of their website, although he remains on the Elimination Chamber page. It is not known at this time if Punk is injured, or if something else is going on. The last tweet that he posted on Monday night stated, "Thanks for all the support. Keep being you guys, it's pretty cool."

Punk's contract is up in July, and he stated in an interview last week that he doesn't know if he will re-sign after it expires, and that "everything is up in the air."

UPDATE: F4WOnline.com reports that Punk apparently told Vince McMahon at last night's RAW that he was going home and left the show. No further details were available other then that he's been removed from all shows going forward.




News or Storyline?

[Fignuts]

shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit


Well, Gertner will be happy.

[Juan]

Damn

[Droford]

Somebody put that fat guy who spazzed out over the Rumble on suicide watch

[DAMN iNATOR]

"CM Punk has taken his ball and gone home!"

[Droford]

CM punk lost his smile..oh wait..he's probably got a smiley face tattoo somewhere..

[whiteyford]

Pissed hot.

[glanville6]

Raw is in Chicago on March 2nd or 3rd. I bet he'll be back by then.

[#1-norm-fan]

Goddammit.

[Bad News Gertner]

Hehe

[Droford]

Coming eventually to TNA...MC Bully...no...AC Goon..no..BJ Hooligan!

[whiteyford]

Pretty sure he owns his name.

[Droford]

That wouldn't stop TNA from a stupid name change

[whiteyford]

Very true.

[Droford]

Punk was pissed he didn't get a spot on Total Divas

[Bad News Gertner]

What a whiny piece of shit. Just as bad as HBK in the 90's. Go away.

[#1-norm-fan]

I just really wish Street Jimmy were here to give his take on this.

[NormanSmiley]

ryan clark hasn't confirmed this

[Swiss Ultimate]

ALL LIVE EVENTS...but he's still good for Chamber?

[Droford]

He should show up and beat up Daniel Bryan on his way to the Chamber match, take his spot and win

#nuclearheelheat

[Brigstocke]

If this is storyline... and leads into the Punk vs HHH match I'm excited.. WWE doing things well at the moment. If

[dronepool]

Work?

[dronepool]

http://www.wrestlecrap.com/headlies/headlies-cm-punk-hoping-to-fill-the-rocks-void-by-coming-back-as-overpaid-part-timer/


Former WWE Champion CM Punk has informed Vince McMahon on Monday that he was walking away from the company, and Punk has since been written out of all foreseeable events. It has been learned that Punk is looking to come back for a “Dwayne Johnson type of deal” that would preclude him from performing at live events, and getting paid unreal sums of cash to do so.

“After Batista won the Royal Rumble match for doing minimal work, Punk is hoping to take the same career path,” says one company insider. “Punk’s been exhausted from years of working night after night without the use of medication, so he figures that four or five matches a year going forward will improve his quality of life.”

As of Tuesday evening, Punk was said to be proving his worth toward such a contract. The 35-year-old has reportedly begun forgetting the names of any WWE performer that isn’t a full-time main eventer, referring to the others as “C-level stars” on his Twitter account.

“I texted him Monday evening to ask how he was holding up,” says WWE veteran Curt Hawkins. “He said he didn’t know who I was. At first I was mad, but now it makes sense. If he gets that contract, imagine how great it’d be for business. I bet we’d all benefit somehow, even if I can’t figure out a way.”

Some have noted that Punk hasn’t been in the WWE World Championship picture for nearly one year, an unheard-of time span for a performer that sells the amount of merchandise that he has. With Rock, and now Batista, setting a new precedent for reduced-schedule icons by getting title shots, perhaps Punk’s hoping to do the same.

“He’d also indicated he’d like to win the 2015 Royal Rumble from the #28 spot,” said the insider. “Let some other hard-working sap go 50 minutes from number one and be ignored most of the way.”

[Brigstocke]

I can see his point... Hate seeing people 'return' from other endeavours and getting a push like that.

[Brigstocke]

Makes sense.. 'storyline wise'

[whiteyford]

That screams work.

[Rammsteinmad]

Whether that is true or not, or a work or not, it totally makes sense and as much as I hate CM Punk not being around, I could fully understand and support that point of view.

[Blonde Moment]

I am curious about how the Wm payout goes. I mean it is a big slap in the face to those that have busted their ass all year and wind up getting next to nothing because the company elected to pay part timers a huge chunk instead.

[The Rogerer]

The whole idea behind a work is that you work people, IE actually have something happen as opposed to nothing.

[Shadrick]

lol its a business, man.

[Blonde Moment]

Think of it this way
Wm 31 has the potential for 5 maybe 6 part timers taking money spots away from workers who are the backbone of the company.
You bust your ass all year only to have 3-4 people come in and take your spot, take your money and treat you like shit to boot.

[Savio]

I was kinda excited to see Punk vs Corporate Kane.

[erickman]

so is he going to wrestle aj styles now in roh

[Innovator]

I can't wait for RAW when Hunico plays CM Punk

[Corndad]

Well that explains why wasn't on Raw. I thought that was off. Figured they would start setting up Kane/Punk for Chamber and not even a sniff. I dunno if it's a work or not but if it's not, I can't blame him at all honestly.

[Heisenberg]

If this is storyline... and leads into the Punk vs HHH match I'm excited.. WWE doing things well at the moment. If

Straight storyline, good stuff too, look at the internet sites

[Heisenberg]

Hehe

http://i.imgur.com/240m657.gif

[voncouch]

From 411mania, a little more detail:

According to Pwinsider.com, CM Punk has been pulled from all advertising of WWE live events going forward after a meeting with WWE management at Monday's WWE Raw tapings. Punk is under contract until July, but the feeling right now is that he is no longer factored into the company's plans moving forward. The plan was to work towards a CM Punk vs. Triple H match at WrestleMania 30, but not it seems as if WWE may slide Daniel Bryan into that slot.

Some sources have stated that the original script for Monday's Raw called for Punk to wrestle Antonio Cesaro and lose after Kane interfered in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying match. Other sources claim that he was not scheduled to wrestle, but instead say he was booked to do a promo that would follow up on Kane causing his elimination from the Rumble. Either way Punk was booked for Raw, but was not backstage for the show or at Smackdown.

The feeling is that the late re-writes for the show on Monday were because Punk had informed the company he was going home and wouldn't be back. Word is that this is not an injury situation, but instead a case of burnout and unhappiness with the overall direction of the company. Punk had been very vocal in the past about the usage of returning and "part time" stars being pushed beyond wrestlers who were working full-time for the company.

During a recent interview with Ariel Hewani, Punk spoke about working the crazy WWE schedule, and only ever taking time off for injuries. Punk worked over 50-minutes in Sunday's Royal Rumble match, and was described as being "pissy" backstage. But some has said that this is not unusual for him.

Another source noted that Punk's last goal was to work a WrestleMania main event, and that it may be a situation where Punk realized it wasn't going to happen this year and with his WWE deal expiring and him being so goal oriented, it may have weighed him down when he realized it would not happen.

Also during the Ariel Hewani interview, Punk was asked about WWE killing his momentum at times and why such things happen and stated that he'd like to think they don't make those decisions on purpose and it's more they wanted to go in another decision and that it was a different era.

Punk's last Tweet was from Monday night, and reads as follows…

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Thanks for all the support. Keep being you guys, it's pretty cool.</p>&mdash; Coach (@CMPunk) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMPunk/statuses/427847883774103552">January 27, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Corndad]

Also if this is real, AJ will be losing her belt soon me thinks. Be Prepared for a Bella Title run.

[Rammsteinmad]

I've said for the last few years now that all these part-timers aren't helping the product or the morale of the full-timers. The last few Wrestlemanias, 75% of the card focuses on part-timers whilst guys like Dolph Ziggler, who has been with the company for eight years now, at least five of those years being one of the most over guys on the roster, yet he's barely had a legit "Wrestlemania Moment".

If this is legit, I'm totally behind Punk on this one. As much as it sometimes comes across as him being selfish and pissy, and as much as it surely is, I feel that Punk just wants a good product for everyone all around.

Kinda like when he compared "a workhorse" like Tyson Kidd to Little Jimmy.

[Seth82]

so is he going to wrestle aj styles now in roh

nah I doubt he'd ever return after the way they treated his buddy Colt Cabana.

[#1-norm-fan]

I bet he's just trying to work himself into a position of being a part-timer.

... Genius.

[Damian Rey]

Kinda sucks. Punk is by and far one of their best workers, and not having him on the card is mess some things up a bit, I think. While I wasn't looking forward to a Punk/HHH match, I'm sure it would have been a solid Mania match.

I do get where Punk is coming from, though. Guys works a ton, has helped in getting a new guy over in Roman Reigns, and consistently pumps out quality match after quality match, while remaining over and selling t shirts. To have some never was like Batista come in out of nowhere, and win the Rumble and be pushed to the moon has to feel degrading. It's not like Batista is the Rock, who had older fans clamoring for a return and didn't really take a spot that could have gone to someone more deserving.

If Punk tries to strong arm his way into a part time schedule, more power to him.

[CSL]

hold on, are people actually taking that WrestleCrap/headlies "article" that dronepool posted seriously?

[RP]

So does this mean more Bray Wyatt? If so, bye C.M.

[Nark Order]

I wouldn't blame him at all if his turns out to be true.

[Kris P Lettus]

CM Punk was at the UFC event this past weekend and openly talked about asking for time off to go to the fights in his home town of Chicago.

I posted an interview about it in 100k replies

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I do enjoy that he doesn't much care about sticking it to McMahon.

[VSG]

I wouldn't blame him at all if his turns out to be true.

Pretty much. I want to see how WWE will explain Punk's absence, if there is one at all before declaring it true/work.

[Blonde Moment]

Pretty much. I want to see how WWE will explain Punk's absence, if there is one at all before declaring it true/work.

This exactly. While the recent going ons concern me there was supposed to be some sort of McMahon family storyline to play out at WM and maybe this is all part of it. It would be nice to have them outsmart us all but the odds are slim.

[slik]

If it's 'newz' it should be the final nail in the coffin of PWInsider.com and Dave Meltzer/Figure4 for running with it.

[Nark Order]

This was all so preventable. Jesus. The WWE is fucking up so badly. This has to be one of the biggest backlashes from a terribly booked PPV in a long time. If true.

[slik]

I don't buy the part about Punk being upset about not being in a main-event program at WM that's being reported on various sites.

Who here honestly believes that a WM match involving HHH wouldn't get pushed to the moon on tv?

[Nark Order]

Punk wanted to main event a WM before he retired and it started looking more and more likely that it was never going to happen because he doesn't star in movies and he doesn't wrestle 3 times a year.

[Corporate CockSnogger]

Cm Punk has a very open "throw toys out the pram" personality, so I guess this could have a hint of truth to it. But that article plus common sense just screams work.

[whiteyford]

If its a hissy fit he shoulda waited till after mania, get the payday at least.

[CSL]

But that article plus common sense just screams work.

for real. The guy is currently "anti-authority" in a mini-feud with authority rumoured to be facing the biggest on-screen authority at Mania. One of the most famous anti-authority stories by one of the most famous anti-authority guys ever? Steve Austin takes his ball and goes home. I'll eat my hat if this is anything but a work.

[The Rogerer]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Nv6Ec5P-63k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

It's not a work if they don't work. Suddenly they really care about the IWC?

[Evil Vito]

Can't blame Punk if its true. It sounds like he's saved up his money, so if he's as miserable with his job as reported it's fair play to him to quit.

[CSL]

I wouldn't call something as small as removing him from upcoming live events as "really caring", it's the news sites that have jumped on that and expanded on it. But yeah, WWE have clearly been a bit more receptive to attempting to use the internet to their advantage for quite some time now #hashtag

[Corporate CockSnogger]

It would actually be pretty hilarious though, that if after all the crying about Daniel Bryan not being used in a high profile match at mania, he gets one in the place of the other huge Internet darling in the company.

[Theo Dious]

Fuck him. Sick and tired of hearing about him having little temper tantrums every time the world doesn't revolve around him.

[CSL]

you aren't allowed to say things like that about CM Punk on the internet, sorry.

[Innovator]

Someone on twitter beat me to it:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BfKPwvbCQAEteRl.jpg

[Emperor Smeat]

Shocked but also makes some sense why he would do this considering he's been their most vocal guy in the lockerroom for the past couple of years.

Its been rumored that now he's gone, Bryan is going to benefit the most and probably Sheamus the least since the new Mania plans might end up as Bryan vs Triple H.

[Fignuts]

Austin has said many times that his one big regret in the business is walking out. He doesn't back off his reasons for doing it, but hes says he handled the situation like a selfish asshole.

This is the same situation. Actually this is worse because it's right before Wrestlemania. That's why I'm inclined to go with CSL that it's a work.

No matter how unhappy or dissatisfied CM Punk is, I can't see him doing this right before Wrestlemania. That's unprofessional on a ridiculous level.

Maybe I'm wrong and Punk is that much of a dick head. Stranger things have happened.

[JimmyMess]

this is incredible. Let a main money guy go. That's smart business.

[VSG]

Austin has said many times that his one big regret in the business is walking out. He doesn't back off his reasons for doing it, but hes says he handled the situation like a selfish asshole.

This is the same situation. Actually this is worse because it's right before Wrestlemania. That's why I'm inclined to go with CSL that it's a work.

No matter how unhappy or dissatisfied CM Punk is, I can't see him doing this right before Wrestlemania. That's unprofessional on a ridiculous level.

Maybe I'm wrong and Punk is that much of a dick head. Stranger things have happened.

lol Austin walked out because he didn't want to job to someone. This is totally not the same thing. But ya- if this is true, it is unprofessional.

[Swiss Ultimate]

Michael Cole is not someone.

[Fignuts]

Can anyone explain to me what WWE have done to justify Punk's actions?

[Fignuts]

lol Austin walked out because he didn't want to job to someone. This is totally not the same thing. But ya- if this is true, it is unprofessional.

Austin walked out because he was unhappy the direction his character was going, just like Punk. The job to Brock in a throwaway Raw match was just the straw that broke the camel's back.

[Nark Order]

iMO, if this is true, he has every right to be upset. Another guy that hasn't worked for the company in 4 years comes in and takes another top spot again. Then you have Lesnar that does a couple of appearances a year. These guys are getting preferential treatment over the guys that work 300 days a year. It is ridiculous. It's understood why they do it, but if I was an active part of the roster, I would be really angry about it. And how much is Batista even going ro draw, especially after he got booed out of the building at Rumble. If this isn't a work, this is a disaster. Seriously a disaster.

[Swiss Ultimate]

Both Batista and Lesnar each worked 300 days a year not so long ago. They're also legitimately big deals.

I like CM Punk, the character and think he's a great wrestler in the same way that HBK was, but yeah I don't get this at all. It's like people getting mad at Hogan, Nash and Hall for coming back and wrestling Austin and Rock.

[Nark Order]

If I thought they were going to use these guys to put over younger stars, I wouldn't have much of a problem with it. They are just using them for paydays. It is so short sited and irresponsible. Having Batista win the Rumble does nothing for anybody and it denied a future star a spot. Again. And next year it will happen in some capacity again. And the year after. Again.

[Nark Order]

And no. You don't get to tell me Batista is a big deal after the Rumble. You just don't get to do that anymore. I'm sorry. I can't allow that to happen. You at least don't get to tell me he is a bigger deal than Bryan right now.

[Emperor Smeat]

Can anyone explain to me what WWE have done to justify Punk's actions?

Nothing really specific but similar to Kaitlyn and others, just a growing sense of dissatisfaction with the WWE and/or Creative. Some of it due to how they've been handling him the past few years and some of it due to how its been affecting others he cares about.


Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez have a breaking news audio update on F4WOnline.com and went into more details on the CM Punk situation. It was believed that Punk was going to leave the company in July when his contract expired. Punk is very burned out and he’s one of the guys that saved his money and his mentality is that he does not need WWE. There were Raw script changes with less than 2 hours before the show and this was because of Punk. Apparently it didn’t boil down to one thing and this has been building up for a while. Meltzer brought up the issue of pay going forward when the WWE Network starts, which is what we heard and reported on in the last update. The talent is wondering how payoffs will look and no one has been told how that is being handled so that could have been a factor in Punk deciding to leave.


The current rumor with the Network payouts are its either wrestlers are going to lose their PPV bonuses in favor of something a lot smaller or that royalties/bonuses done in the past with DVD/Blu-Ray and PPV sales are not carrying over with the Network.

[The Rogerer]

Both Batista and Lesnar each worked 300 days a year not so long ago. They're also legitimately big deals.

I like CM Punk, the character and think he's a great wrestler in the same way that HBK was, but yeah I don't get this at all. It's like people getting mad at Hogan, Nash and Hall for coming back and wrestling Austin and Rock.Batista is the opposite of a big deal. Also, how can you compare it to people like Hogan, Austin, The Rock? There's no-one bigger than them, and there's a wealth of mainstream affection.

[CSL]

this whole thing seems to be based on 1. him being removed from the events 2. his cryptic tweet and 3. the interview he did with Ariel Helwani, which has taken his "maybes" (he may leave in July, he doesn't know how PPV cheques are going to work once the Network starts up) into facts and generalizations ("believed he was going to leave", "the talent" wondering how payoffs will look etc) when in reality there's no official word from anybody.

[whiteyford]

Both Batista and Lesnar each worked 300 days a year not so long ago. They're also legitimately big deals.

Brock cited the schedule as one of the main reasons he left, pretty much everyone does, but he was only active on the main roster for a couple of years. He's a draw because of his UFC stint, and he's booked to take advantage of his limited date contract to maintain his drawing power and really hasn't been booked as a main eventer but more as a special attraction. Batista has pretty much been booked in the top spot from the moment he redebuted, at the peak of the money making season with all the bonuses that entails, he isn't half the draw Brock is though.

[Heyman]

Can anyone explain to me what WWE have done to justify Punk's actions?

I think Punk is completely justified in my opinion.

The WWE are obviously well within their right to push whoever they want.....whether that's Daniel Bryan, Randy Orton, or part-time wrestlers that show up once in a blue moon such as The Rock, Lesnar, or a 45 year old washed up Batista.

On the flip side - CM Punk is well within his right to do what he wants if he feels that the direction of the company and/or his character is not to his standards.

Why shouldn't Punk be pissed if it actually is the WWE's intention long term to push a guy like Dave Batista ahead of himself?

[CSL]

and seriously, guys, the dronepool article was a pisstake. Not fact. Or anything based in fact other than that Punk once said "yeah, wasn't really a fan of guys coming back for Mania paydays".

[Swiss Ultimate]

If I thought they were going to use these guys to put over younger stars, I wouldn't have much of a problem with it. They are just using them for paydays. It is so short sited and irresponsible. Having Batista win the Rumble does nothing for anybody and it denied a future star a spot. Again. And next year it will happen in some capacity again. And the year after. Again.

And no. You don't get to tell me Batista is a big deal after the Rumble. You just don't get to do that anymore. I'm sorry. I can't allow that to happen. You at least don't get to tell me he is a bigger deal than Bryan right now.

I don't think Batista is a bigger deal in wrestling than Daniel Bryan. Far from it. I just think he's a bigger deal with non-fans and people who might be convinced to watch, same with Lesnar.

DB is super-over with the fans. I'm not even arguing that Batista is a house-hold name, but he's definitely done a lot to increase his value to the rest of the world thanks to his movie roles and other stuff. Just like Lesnar became super valuable thanks to his UFC matches. That stuff does factor in.

And if, as some people suggest, Batista going over at Rumble leads to putting over DB even more, then good. I don't know what is planned or unplanned here, but it seems like DB is going to get his due.

That said, the logic behind bringing in Lesnar and Batista makes sense, just like the logic behind bringing back Rock made sense. Would people be responding nearly this much, fans or non-fans, if Sheamus or CM Punk had won the Rumble? Or if Reigns had won?

If DB went in and won the Rumble after losing to Wyatt, I think that would have been a great storyline in and of itself, coming back from defeat to win one of the biggest matches of the year. That said, how long would people be talking about the Rumble? It'd be done and over with and we'd be talking about something else. Batista winning the Rumble has resulted in a greater show of support for Bryan, lots of talk about the Rumble, controversy over Batista, talk about Chamber, more intensity.

Hell, it's gotten ME talking about wrestling and I haven't paid attention for a while now. Seems like a good idea from the standpoint of getting people talking and interested and even, dare I say it...invested in the outcome of the matches.

[Fignuts]

Punk was just recently the longest reigning champ outside of Bruno. He got the priviledge of working with Taker at mania. He's been in high profile matches with the company's top heels since then, all building to a match with Triple H at mania, which would be the climax of the authority angle, i.e. the biggest angle of the year.

Austin said the right move would have been to try and talk through the problem, rather than just go home. Say WWE doesn't give in to what Punk wants. He should at least work through Wrestlemania anyway. Why? Because he never has to work a day in his life ever again, and it's all thanks to WWE. Yeah, he worked his ass off, and things in the company may not be to his liking, but they paid him ungodly amounts of money.

Maybe I'm old school but I believe that if someone is paying you that kind of money, you act like a professional and do your job. I'm not saying you don't have an opinion, or that you even have to keep it. But at least stay til Mania. Leaving now screws over a lot of people.

[Corporate CockSnogger]

If this were The Great Khali stating frustration at the part timers coming in to top spots? Would anybody be arsed?

[Fignuts]

Dunno why I'm even arguing. Like I said, still leaning towards work.

[Heyman]

Maybe I'm old school but I believe that if someone is paying you that kind of money, you act like a professional and do your job. I'm not saying you don't have an opinion, or that you even have to keep it. But at least stay til Mania. Leaving now screws over a lot of people.

If it wasn't for the fact that the WWE is run by some of the most corrupt and vicious assholes on the planet, I would pretty much agree with you wholeheartedly.

I'm just speculating on my part, but I'm pretty sure that Punk has vocalized his concerns backstage numerous times.........to deaf ears.

If Punk is being booked to buried by Triple H at Mania (at this stage in their careers), then I'd be pretty pissed as well.

[whiteyford]

If it's legit, his contract expires July, would be beyond daft not to take the 'Mania bonus money before going home, bitch on twitter till then but get paid at least. Probably 2+2 equals doghouse again though.

[Heyman]

Dunno why I'm even arguing. Like I said, still leaning towards work.

I hope you're right.

Punk is one of my favorite wrestlers.

[Nark Order]

No. Having your babyface main event of WM get booed out of the building isn't a good idea. Nobody is going to convince me of this. There could be possible good things to come out of it as byproducts, but the end does not justify the means. There were plenty of ways everyone could've benefitted instead of the shitstorm that was Rumble.

[erickman]

i wish jeff jerret could start another wrestling company with a tv deal, we need a better tna

[Heyman]

Punk was just recently the longest reigning champ outside of Bruno. He got the priviledge of working with Taker at mania. He's been in high profile matches with the company's top heels since then, all building to a match with Triple H at mania, which would be the climax of the authority angle, i.e. the biggest angle of the year.


True, but on the flip side, it sucks to just push someone to the moon, and then have him return back down to earth a year later.......for no apparent reason. Especially if said wrestler was insanely over with the fans and conducted himself professionally for the most part.

Now all of a sudden, you have Orton being pushed as the #1 heel instead? (i.e. a guy that has had numerous discipline problems, and was pretty much an afterthought for 2 years before his re-push).

Why can a guy like Batista just waltz-in and take a high profile spot?

Again - it's Vince's company and he can do whatever he wants, but the flip side is that CM Punk is an independent contractor.........and he can do whatever the hell he wants as well.

[Fignuts]

He vocalized his concerns and they gave him a contract with pretty much everything he wanted, made him champion numerous times, and have placed him in main event, high profile programs ever since.

Sounds like he got treated pretty well. Punk just seems like one of those people who are never happy.

He could be booked to win every match he wrestles, beat Bruno's run with the title, and get promised a spot in the HoF as "The Greatest Wrestler Who Ever Lived", and he'd still find something to bitch about.

And yeah, WWE as a corporation are vicious assholes. That didn't just start last Tuesday, and it's never been a secret. Punk knew that when he signed his first contract, so you can't really use that as an excuse.

[Heyman]

No. Having your babyface main event of WM get booed out of the building isn't a good idea. Nobody is going to convince me of this. There could be possible good things to come out of it as byproducts, but the end does not justify the means. There were plenty of ways everyone could've benefitted instead of the shitstorm that was Rumble.

It has worked just fine with John Cena.

As it relates to Batista however, we don't even know if he'll still be a face by Mania'.

Lot can change.

Wait and see.

[Swiss Ultimate]

Batista is the opposite of a big deal. Also, how can you compare it to people like Hogan, Austin, The Rock? There's no-one bigger than them, and there's a wealth of mainstream affection.

Is Batista really so small? Is he really the opposite of a big deal? I would say he was never "great", but he always mattered. His last feud with Cena was actually pretty cool and well received if I remember right. If Cena had left instead of Batista and came back and did the exact same thing would people be complaining?

As for Hogan, he had been gone for years, as had Nash and Hall. They hadn't done anything and were riding on their legitimate past appeal. Few people can compare to Hogan's legendary popularity or his legendary role in wrestling, but it's not inappropriate to compare the two returns. Especially when you realize that Batista certainly does compare to Kevin Nash in terms of ability and star-power.

Brock cited the schedule as one of the main reasons he left, pretty much everyone does, but he was only active on the main roster for a couple of years. He's a draw because of his UFC stint, and he's booked to take advantage of his limited date contract to maintain his drawing power and really hasn't been booked as a main eventer but more as a special attraction. Batista has pretty much been booked in the top spot from the moment he redebuted, at the peak of the money making season with all the bonuses that entails, he isn't half the draw Brock is though.

Not to wrestling fans, but again my point is that each is a big deal in their own right and each happened to find their own niche outside of wrestling. Brock with the prestigious UFC, Batista with various movies. Without any focus testing to point to, I would probably say that Batista is one of the more well known wrestlers in WWE's recent history. People know who he is that don't normally watch wrestling, plus he was a big deal before he left.

If the WWE were to actually use him correctly in his best position (that of the asshole), I dunno, maybe it could make money AND also please the hardcore wrestling fans?

and seriously, guys, the dronepool article was a pisstake. Not fact. Or anything based in fact other than that Punk once said "yeah, wasn't really a fan of guys coming back for Mania paydays".

Rumors are pretty reliable in my experience.

[Nark Order]

If Batista is heel at Mania, it is because they called an audible and not because they planned it that way.

[CSL]

like a million other things in the history of pro wrestling

[Fignuts]

True, but on the flip side, it sucks to just push someone to the moon, and then have him return back down to earth a year later.......for no apparent reason.

As I said, he didn't really "return back down to earth".

He was in high profile matches with Taker, Jericho, and Lesnar. From there he worked with Ryback, who was just coming off his feud with Cena over the title. Then he and Bryan feuded with the Wyatts and The Shield, the hottest new heels in the company.

Not exactly Sunday Night Heat duty.

[erickman]

If it's legit, his contract expires July, would be beyond daft not to take the 'Mania bonus money before going home, bitch on twitter till then but get paid at least. Probably 2+2 equals doghouse again though.

yeah that is dumb punk should have waited. now i guess he can fued with jeff hardy in the indys

[whiteyford]

I



Not to wrestling fans, but again my point is that each is a big deal in their own right and each happened to find their own niche outside of wrestling. Brock with the prestigious UFC, Batista with various movies. Without any focus testing to point to, I would probably say that Batista is one of the more well known wrestlers in WWE's recent history. People know who he is that don't normally watch wrestling, plus he was a big deal before he left.

If the WWE were to actually use him correctly in his best position (that of the asshole), I dunno, maybe it could make money AND also please the hardcore wrestling fans?


He had bit parts in movies of varying box office success, a dire MMA career and that's about it. I really don't think Batista brings in any outside fans, maybe bring back a few fans who haven't watched in a while but I doubt anything of significance. He's only been back two weeks so who knows what they really have planned for him though.

[Heyman]

If Batista is heel at Mania, it is because they called an audible and not because they planned it that way.

Does it really matter?

Who cares if Batista's direction wasn't pre-planned.

Batista was a top star in the WWE and had been away for 4 years. Why wouldn't the WWE see if they could push him as a Top Face?

Back in 2004 - Edge returned from a serious injury after a long layoff, and his character started getting boo'd shortly. The WWE then turned him heel.

In 2007 - Jericho returned after a 2.5 year absence and started getting boo'd shortly afterwards. The WWE turned him heel shortly afterwards as well.

What's wrong with calling an audible if some pre-determined plan goes wrong?

[Nark Order]

Alright. I'm just saying let's stop acting like they have a master plan. It is very clear that they do not have control of their audience right now. Rumble was a complete disaster. If they get control again, it will be because they regained it with some damage control and not because of any sort of plan. They fucked up. Badly. Which is fine. But to deny that they fucked up badly is just kind of ignoring the problem at this point. Smarks can be right sometimes.

[Swiss Ultimate]

It has worked just fine with John Cena.

As it relates to Batista however, we don't even know if he'll still be a face by Mania'.

Lot can change.

Wait and see.

This is what I'm thinking.

I don't know if the WWE staff understands the psychology of the fans, but it seems like the idea of it being a set-up to some extent shouldn't be absolutely dismissed. Either way, I don't see Batista winning at Mania. I also doubt that he would have been facing Orton in the main-event. Fuck, Orton has to lose the title at Chamber just to set up a decent match at Mania.

Here's what I think would have happened, assuming DB wasn't supposed to happen and really was getting depushed.

Batista wins Rumble, turns heel, Orton drops title to (popular face who is not DB). Batista loses at Mania for a happy ending.

If DB wasn't meant for a depush, then it makes sense for Cena, the only other top face to get involved with a non-title feud directly after the Orton deal.

Does anyone really think Batista was meant to be a face when he main-evented Mania?

[whiteyford]

True, but on the flip side, it sucks to just push someone to the moon, and then have him return back down to earth a year later.......for no apparent reason.

You can't keep the same guy on top forever though, even Cena got taken out of the title scene for a while, like Fignuts said it wasn't like he was feuding with El Torito.

[Fignuts]

Alright. I'm just saying let's stop acting like they have a master plan. It is very clear that they do not have control of their audience right now. Rumble was a complete disaster. If they get control again, it will be because they regained it with some damage control and not because of any sort of plan. They fucked up. Badly. Which is fine. But to deny that they fucked up badly is just kind of ignoring the problem at this point. Smarks can be right sometimes.

I'm not disagreeing with you at all here. I just think Punk should have handled it better.

[CSL]

still not buying into this theory that they somehow "fucked up badly" or that it was a "complete disaster" because they didn't enter Bryan into the Rumble in front of a huge smart crowd/the "smartest" crowd since last years post Mania RAW. If anything, the mistake was not knowing that was the kind of crowd they'd be getting and at least giving Batista (and Rey to an extent) a fighting chance in front of an audience like that. But hindsight is 20/20.

[Nark Order]

You can't keep the same guy on top forever though, even Cena got taken out of the title scene for a while, like Fignuts said it wasn't like he was feuding with El Torito.

How can you even compare Cena and Punks runs? Cena has been at the very top of the company for ten years and has essentially main evented every Wrestlemania since his rise. Punk hasn't main evented one.

[The Rogerer]

Is Batista really so small? Is he really the opposite of a big deal? I would say he was never "great", but he always mattered. His last feud with Cena was actually pretty cool and well received if I remember right. If Cena had left instead of Batista and came back and did the exact same thing would people be complaining?

As for Hogan, he had been gone for years, as had Nash and Hall. They hadn't done anything and were riding on their legitimate past appeal. Few people can compare to Hogan's legendary popularity or his legendary role in wrestling, but it's not inappropriate to compare the two returns. Especially when you realize that Batista certainly does compare to Kevin Nash in terms of ability and star-power.Yeah, but this came out of the end of the Monday Night Wars and was a natural conclusion of it. They hadn't been 'gone', they'd still been at the helm of professional wrestling. Also, Hogan, Nash and Hall were a package deal as the nWo so you can't separate their value.

[Nark Order]

still not buying into this theory that they somehow "fucked up badly" or that it was a "complete disaster" because they didn't enter Bryan into the Rumble in front of a huge smart crowd/the "smartest" crowd since last years post Mania RAW. If anything, the mistake was not knowing that was the kind of crowd they'd be getting and at least giving Batista (and Rey to an extent) a fighting chance in front of an audience like that. But hindsight is 20/20.

Well. Then you're not paying attention. It was a disaster. The poll on WWE facebook page was more than a fair sample size and there was 4.5k thumbs up votes and I think 18k thumbs down votes. It was a disaster. Plainly and simply. You're just wrong this time, I'm sorry. There were far more people dissatisfied with this than just Pittsburgh.

[Fignuts]

How can you even compare Cena and Punks runs? Cena has been at the very top of the company for ten years and has essentially main evented every Wrestlemania since his rise. Punk hasn't main evented one.

Punk should have main evented against John Cena against the Miz. I'll give him that. But that's the only year it makes sense, since Punk vs anyone isn't getting top billing over Cena vs Rock, or even against a Bryan vs Batista/Orton match this year.

[NormanSmiley]

guys......you can't have a work when neither of the 2 parties are commenting. if punk Is laying low and wwe isn't acknowledging shit then its not a work.

and besides its pg era and app friendly now the demographic that's catered to does not know what a work is

[CSL]

Well. Then you're not paying attention. It was a disaster. The poll on WWE facebook page was more than a fair sample size and there was 4.5k thumbs up votes and I think 18k thumbs down votes. It was a disaster. Plainly and simply. You're just wrong this time, I'm sorry. There were far more people dissatisfied with this than just Pittsburgh.

you mean a poll conducted on the internet where disgruntled "internet fans" are much more likely to vote than pretty much any other demographic? Iron clad proof right there. A Facebook poll nonetheless.

[Heisenberg]

I like how TNA isn't a viable option to alternate to, even for me, an ex-spoken TNA advocate

[CSL]

just looking through some of the comments on the FB poll right now. Can't believe WWE isn't taking creative direction from this lot.

[whiteyford]

How can you even compare Cena and Punks runs? Cena has been at the very top of the company for ten years and has essentially main evented every Wrestlemania since his rise. Punk hasn't main evented one.

Pretty much what Fignuts said. Cena is their Hogan, he'll be pushed ahead of pretty much everyone. Punk has only been a main event level guy for a handful of years, and a few of those featured matches that were guaranteed top billing no matter what. Punk getting dropped out the title picture keeps him fresh, he's still featured prominently though.

[CSL]

one of the worsest royal rumble ever i think its just getting shitter n shitter i cant believe they actually broke kane record you are pathtetic wwe i cant believe what u are doing to all kane fans wwe u are actually pathetic now but thank god roman reigns didnt win and you have ruined kane big time you keep on doing it seriously

somebody hire Martin Wallace and make him head of creative immediately.

[Nark Order]

you mean a poll conducted on the internet where disgruntled "internet fans" are much more likely to vote than pretty much any other demographic? Iron clad proof right there. A Facebook poll nonetheless.

You are being really ridiculous. how many people do you know that don't use the internet? Because I know very few. And this wasn't a pwinsider poll. It was a WWE poll. People from all walks of life like the official WWE facebook page. It isn't even close to all smarks. And the margin of people that didn't like it is so vast compared to those that did. Man. I'm sorry. I really like you, but you are just wrong here. It was a complete and utter failure. The guy that is supposed to main event WM as a babyface got viciously booed. A guy that just made his return like a week prior. It was not a good look whatsoever.

[Ermaximus]

this is incredible. Let a main money guy go. That's smart business.

Yes, but is is it "best for business?"

[Nark Order]

just looking through some of the comments on the FB poll right now. Can't believe WWE isn't taking creative direction from this lot.

Oh. So you can see first hand how many of them aren't smarks, then?

[GD]

I am bit sad since I came to know about the situation in the early morning. I truly believe that maintaining two separate brands with two heavyweight champions, if done right, would be very beneficial.

[Poit]

you mean a poll conducted on the internet where disgruntled "internet fans" are much more likely to vote than pretty much any other demographic? Iron clad proof right there. A Facebook poll nonetheless.

You are being really ridiculous. how many people do you know that don't use the internet? Because I know very few. And this wasn't a pwinsider poll. It was a WWE poll. People from all walks of life like the official WWE facebook page. It isn't even close to all smarks. And the margin of people that didn't like it is so vast compared to those that did. Man. I'm sorry. I really like you, but you are just wrong here. It was a complete and utter failure. The guy that is supposed to main event WM as a babyface got viciously booed. A guy that just made his return like a week prior. It was not a good look whatsoever.

I know I was the one who brought up the poll on the podcast, and I try to do better than this, so I apologize. A poll like that is always going to have a greater proportion of negative responses than is actually present in the target population.

[CSL]

You are being really ridiculous. how many people do you know that don't use the internet? Because I know very few. And this wasn't a pwinsider poll. It was a WWE poll. People from all walks of life like the official WWE facebook page. It isn't even close to all smarks. And the margin of people that didn't like it is so vast compared to those that did. Man. I'm sorry. I really like you, but you are just wrong here. It was a complete and utter failure. The guy that is supposed to main event WM as a babyface got viciously booed. A guy that just made his return like a week prior. It was not a good look whatsoever.

Absolutely. Most do. And how many of those do you know that use the internet even watch WWE, let alone vote in their Facebook polls? Because I know very few. And you say "WWE poll" like somehow smart fans (or even worse, those that strive to be smart fans) would never have anything to do with it. Which is nonsense. Just take a look through the comments. Sure you'll find the odd person presenting their gripes in a somewhat rational, coherent and understandable way like yourself. And then you'll find 300 mutant responses straight after. I know you weren't a fan of the show but let's not state that a fucking Facebook poll is somehow proof that what you're saying is correct. Where does it go after that? Taking a general consensus from Youtube and Instagram comments? You're smarter than that.

[CSL]

Oh. So you can see first hand how many of them aren't smarks, then?

(or even worse, those that strive to be smart fans)

[whiteyford]

The real victim here is Juan, he picked Punk for the Pool.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

You are being really ridiculous. how many people do you know that don't use the internet? Because I know very few. And this wasn't a pwinsider poll. It was a WWE poll. People from all walks of life like the official WWE facebook page. It isn't even close to all smarks. And the margin of people that didn't like it is so vast compared to those that did. Man. I'm sorry. I really like you, but you are just wrong here. It was a complete and utter failure. The guy that is supposed to main event WM as a babyface got viciously booed. A guy that just made his return like a week prior. It was not a good look whatsoever.

Narc's right, come on CSL, just because you're "going against the grain" doesn't mean you're seeing the big picture, some things are just obvious.

[Ermaximus]

The biggest problem from all of this is the fact that WWE needs more main event guys and fast. The fact that they have to bring in "part timers" really only demonstrates their lack of confidence in the guys they have on the cusp. See Kofi, Ziggler, Barrett, Cesaro.

I think of all those guys, only Ziggler has been in a main event program more than once. Hell this is Cesaro's first ever main event title match is it not?

[Innovator]

If he's off the road, I wonder how long it takes for him and AJ to break up and then for him to start dating Ronda Rousey.

[Ermaximus]

I give it 17 days.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

that'd be so awesome if he started dating rowdy ronda.

[CSL]

she could do worse than getting into pro wrestling actually if the fight portion of her career ever goes the way of Gina Carano

[Tazz Dan]

Come on CSL, Ryan Clark has just states on the front page that this is NOT a work. What more proof do we need?

[Tazz Dan]

Also this is an amazing thread, blew up over night.

[Swiss Ultimate]

you mean a poll conducted on the internet where disgruntled "internet fans" are much more likely to vote than pretty much any other demographic? Iron clad proof right there. A Facebook poll nonetheless.

But did it make money? And is the buzz helping it make more money? At the end of the day, I think the PPV was successful because it created such a visceral and emotional reaction.


*Rog, those are fair points, but I still think the comparison is apt. It's not as if I was comparing the return of someone like Maven to the epic(ly disappointing) return of the nWo. Batista was a multiple-time former Champion, had memorable feuds with Cena and Mysterio, had Hollywood exposure that the WWE has ALWAYS been keen on and he still looks like a badass. I imagine a lot of fans were pretty excited about his return and it would make sense for the character to play an important role at both the Rumble and Mania.

I will say that when the nWo returned, I think it was far too late. If not for them running out their contracts it would have been so much easier to capitalize earlier. If not for my love of Scott Hall and my hopes for a nWo return that would recreate the circumstances of the original angle I probably would have panned it altogether. The best thing that came from it, was the return of baby-face Hogan and The Rock's heel turn (their match as well) and I detest Hogan.

So if Batista's initially well-received return isn't as momentous as the return of the nWo I concede the point, but it's sure does bring back memories.

[The Rogerer]

Batista's Hollywood exposure doesn't exist yet. The marketing drive hasn't really started for GotG yet, never mind it's not out until August and it's not like people are anticipating it like The Avengers. At present he's got no Hollywood appeal - are they so desperate to have him there when the time comes that they'll send him to the top spot 7 months in advance to keep him happy when he generates a bit of interest for playing third billing in a summer blockbuster. That also assumes that the audience likes him.

The nWo returning wasn't great, but it was still a once in a lifetime opportunity that people had actively dreamed about at one point. That is not Batista in the WM main event by any stretch of the imagination. Also, nWo was quite a unique thing, and came into a product that was pretty diverse and full of new sights- Chris Jericho was main eventing wrestlemania . This is a shit retread of the Rock's return which happened an exhausting two times in a row. Something not great happens twice and then you follow it up with the same thing for a third time, only even worse?

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Now is the time for some revolutionary tweener like stable to come in and shake things up. All the guys who feel held back by the machine waging gorilla warfare. It won't happen but it'd be frigging sweet.

[Swiss Ultimate]

are they so desperate to have him there when the time comes that they'll send him to the top spot 7 months in advance to keep him happy when he generates a bit of interest for playing third billing in a summer blockbuster. That also assumes that the audience likes him.

The nWo returning wasn't great, but it was still a once in a lifetime opportunity that people had actively dreamed about at one point. That is not Batista in the WM main event by any stretch of the imagination. Also, nWo was quite a unique thing, and came into a product that was pretty diverse and full of new sights- Chris Jericho was main eventing wrestlemania . This is a shit retread of the Rock's return which happened an exhausting two times in a row. Something not great happens twice and then you follow it up with the same thing for a third time, only even worse?

I think so. Yeah, pretty much all of this.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Batista in my view is honestly a hell of a talent, but I don't think anyone was clamoring for his return. If they kept it as more of a surprise it would have been somewhat special, but it was more like "Cool! Batista's back! Anyways, moving on"

[KyleEmmott]

Title explains itself....

[CSL]

just gonna take a look to see if there's some kind of thread already dedicated to the talk of this, see if it's gone a few pages already maybe, discussed in some kind of length

[CSL]

nope, can't find one

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Whoa shit dude! Where did you hear this breaking news story? I'm impressed!

[Fox]

I'm with those saying that Punk is justified in his decision to leave the WWE at this juncture. It may not be what I would do if I were him, but then again, I have no idea how much money he has saved up, and it doesn't really seem like he values putting on a match with Triple H at Mania, if that were in fact the actual plan.

Punk, and a handful of WWE superstars, deserve so much better than what they're dished out. WrestleMania is the Superbowl of professional wrestling - it's what every wrestler dreams about. Punk took the backseat to The Rock two years in a row - one of those years he was the WWE Champion, and the year after that he was the hottest thing in the company. The year before those two (Mania 27), he got bumped down for The Miz, of all fucking people. Punk should have been in the main event at Mania 27. He deserved better at Mania 28, but the foresight conclusion was to put Rock versus Cena in the main event spot and Jericho versus Punk in an upper card spot - I would have done the exact same thing. Had I known that Cena versus Rock was going to be so uncompelling, I would have probably changed things up a bit and put the Hell in a Cell on last. But that's just me. Punk deserved a spot in the main event last year. Ending his record setting title run to The Rock made sense, but was done purely to put The Rock over heading into Mania. With all of the heat that Punk had coming out of that feud, a triple threat made more sense than Cena versus Rock 2, and certainly would have been a much better main event than that with which we ended up. Yes, Punk got a match against Undertaker, and yes it was the best match of the night, but the ending was a foregone conclusion, the build wasn't that great, and Punk's skills would have been much better utilized in a main event triple threat match with Cena and Rock. He would've added that extra bit of flair which that main event sorely lacked. He didn't even need to win the thing. They could have made it an elimination triple threat match and still had the "epic show down" between Rock and Cena that the company wanted.

Fast forward a year and Punk has been pretty much underutilized. He feuded with Curtis Axel and Ryback, both of which went absolutely nowhere and served very little purpose at all. He jobbed to Lesnar at Summerslam (another part-timer) and never got any retribution for his loss. He was downgraded to a tag team feud against the Wyatts and the Shield with Daniel Bryan, and now he was being set up to wrestle Triple H at Mania while another part-timer, Batista, shows up and gets the top spot at Mania after being gone for four years. I would be a little pissed off, too.

Punk probably doesn't need the big pay-off that a Mania match would give him. He seems to be a guy who lives below his means and he's had enough main events, enough big matches, enough merchandise sales, and enough appearances to make him a significant nest egg for the forseeable future. He has no wife or kids to look after, and from the sound of things, he doesn't even have an immediate family that needs his support. It's not about the money for Punk anymore. It's about the principle.

And the principle of the thing is that CM Punk and Daniel Bryan and the rest of them deserve more than to be pushed down the card for part-timers like Brock Lesnar, The Rock, Batista and to a lesser extent, the Undertaker. They're working all year around for the company, bleeding and killing themselves for fans that will never be truly satiated, and all they want is the spotlight on the biggest night of the year, but that is taken away from them over and over again.

CM Punk in a main event match against anyone, be it someone who can "go" like Daniel Bryan or Chris Jericho or John Cena or Randy Orton, is always going to be a better main event than Batista vs anyone or Randy Orton vs anyone. It's just the way of it. The guy can put on a show with anyone. The guy can talk and sell any angle. To keep him from the main event for a fourth year in a row is disgusting.

The WWE is just continuing to make the same mistakes they've always made. They've learned absolutely nothing. The voice of the voiceless let his opinions ring out, and for awhile it looked like things were changing, but the fact is that after three years, very little has actually really truly changed. Guys like Daniel Bryan and CM Punk are consistently given the short end of the stick, while part-timers and guys who look like Roman Reigns and Randy Orton get the pushes.

I don't hate on Punk for leaving. I equate it to Mick Foley walking out after the Montreal screwjob. He's standing up for what he believes is right, and if nobody takes a stand, then the WWE will believe they can continue to do whatever they please and they'll get away with it because the fans will keep shilling out their hard earned cash and the superstars will continue to take whatever shit hand is dealt out to them.

[Tazz Dan]

Gonna stick this.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

in all fairness Batista is back as a full timer.

[VSG]

right up your bum.

[Tazz Dan]

:naughty:

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

:naughty: ........ :o

[The Rogerer]

Just for the record:

I don't really dislike the New Age Outlaws winning the tag belts. The Brotherhood had ran out of steam - despite having a thriving tag team division, a lot of the attention had turned to hybrid dynamic three man tag matches. The bizarro novelty of the NAO allows them to lose the belts without having to break up the team or make them seem too weak. Still, clean loss, man. Not entirely relevant, just saying that bringing old people back isn't necessarily evil. 30 is just another number, I mean the factor of 5 wrestlemanias are more bad than good, but... Batista? He comes back for (supposedly) two years, and you give him nowhere to go but down, and risk exposing him straight away?

Anyway, the Rumble wasn't just the Rumble, it was the culmination of the last 6 months. My faith in the product was wavering, and CM Punk hasn't sunk in yet but it feels like the coup de grace. When you come back to wrestling, as I did with nearly 10 years away, you need to find your way back in and CM Punk was the guy that I could connect with, that guy I had never seen before and could belive in. I think he's had a pretty bad year, except when he's had the best matches of the year, but with him gone, it's that original tether that's gone.

I'm not threatening to stop watching, but I lived without wrestling for 10 years, it could easily happen again. Never mind that it was Cena, Orton, Batista, HHH standing at the top when I started to switch off, and unbelievably they're filling up 25 minutes of leaden talking at the start of every show.

[CSL]

fucking Newstead, always wanting it in the mouth

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

and I ALWAYS get what I want.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Emmott, you geek.

[KyleEmmott]

Didn't think that a thread about not being at live events constitutes it as a thread about quitting WWE..... my bad.

[Theo Dious]

http://www.tpww.net/2014/01/major-update-wwe-wanted-cm-punk-to-lie/

Front page stuff... not sure what this is supposed to mean, this seems to be indicating that WWE wanted to take a cautious road with a possible concussion and he flipped out over that?

[Poit]

FROM THE FRONT FUCKING PAGE.

[Bad News Gertner]

Bye. Go be a baby in the indies.

[Theo Dious]

Bye. Go be a baby in the indies.

He'll be held up as the Messiah in the indies and every promo will be about how WWE sucks. The two are related.

[Anybody Thrilla]

There's no way Punk thinks there are better options for him out there, unless he's really just done with wrestling.

[CSL]

yah, if he actually ups sticks and leaves, I don't see him being very active on the indies except for bits here and there. More likely he simply takes some time off, enjoys life and his money and goes back to Vince however long down the road

[McLegend]

I think Punk is in the wrong here. However..

I can respect the fact that he walked out . That's much more respectable then just complaining about not liking the direction of the company in interviews and on twitter., which he has probably done enough of already.

[GD]

CM Punk will return as a commentator.

[Tazz Dan]

Way to merge and ruein the other thread ABT.

[Theo Dious]

CM Punk will return as a commentator.

MY DIET SODA!

[rockman725]

I really don't think Punk is done. He'll probably be back either towards the end of the year or the beginning of next year. If this was retirement related, no way would he have just walked out without addressing the fans that helped make him what he was. So, any retirement idea is out. I don't think it's a work either, but you never know. I suppose that he'll take time away from wrestling, maintain minor training to keep in shape, but I really don't think he'll be wrestling for any other company. He may make guest appearances or something, but wrestling no. I'm thinking a lot of this extends from last year when he was suppose to have several months off to rest but was pretty much forced back into things after only a month. Punk always seemed dead straight on needing a chance to unwind. I really believe the tiresome schedule and the recent Rumble fiasco contributed to him just exploding. But I really feel he'll be back at some point down the road. It just sucks that it won't be before Mania.

[Poit]

CM Punk will return as a commentator.

I would be totally behind this.

[Rammsteinmad]

I really don't want a Wrestlemania 30 without CM Punk. :(

[Nark Order]

Absolutely. Most do. And how many of those do you know that use the internet even watch WWE, let alone vote in their Facebook polls? Because I know very few. And you say "WWE poll" like somehow smart fans (or even worse, those that strive to be smart fans) would never have anything to do with it. Which is nonsense. Just take a look through the comments. Sure you'll find the odd person presenting their gripes in a somewhat rational, coherent and understandable way like yourself. And then you'll find 300 mutant responses straight after. I know you weren't a fan of the show but let's not state that a fucking Facebook poll is somehow proof that what you're saying is correct. Where does it go after that? Taking a general consensus from Youtube and Instagram comments? You're smarter than that.

You cannot discount 22 thousand people. Fine have it your way. Take 10k votes off of the thumbs down column to account for what you're saying. People would've still not liked it to about a 2/1 margin. You are being pretty silly though. The poll isn't the only thing we have to go off of, it is just a fairly solid representation of people not enjoying it. The entire arena shit all over the final 2 main events, there is the poll, there is a multitude of examples within social media, there are former WWE guys wondering what the fuck is going on. Where have you heard positive feedback? There is enough evidence to go off to to say that the event was probably most likely not enjoyed by the majority. If you have any evidence to the contrary, feel free to send it my way. But you doing the "prove 100% that what you're saying is true" schtick is a cop out. You know i can't do that, but just because I don't have the statistics for every single person who watched the rumble doesn't mean there isn't enough information to infer. Everything I've heard and seen the past couple days has been negative and there is evidence that points to people responding to it negatively in large numbers. If you want to ignore it, then go ahead, butt hat doesn't mean it isn't valid.

[Savio]

Everytime somebody quits or dies people think it's a work.

[Lock Jaw]

http://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1/1016241_1400168010236846_1706475556_n.jpg

[Poit]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The BRAND NEW <a href="https://twitter.com/CMPunk">@CMPunk</a> &quot;Best Since Day One&quot; Hat has arrived on <a href="https://twitter.com/WWEShop">@WWEShop</a>! <a href="http://t.co/CtlHSherE6">http://t.co/CtlHSherE6</a> <a href="http://t.co/JIo4e7gF1N">http://t.co/JIo4e7gF1N</a></p>&mdash; WWEShop.com (@WWEShop) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWEShop/statuses/428569698356457472">January 29, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Tazz Dan]

Everytime somebody quits or dies people think it's a work.

Eddie is returning at WMXXX

[Lock Jaw]

"Guess what? I lllllliiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeddddddd!"

[Swiss Ultimate]

I hear Chris Hero is looking for a tag team partner.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Way to merge and ruein the other thread ABT.

I didn't ruin anything, dingleberry.

[Tazz Dan]

I'll ruin your dingleberry.

[Theo Dious]

Eddie is returning at WMXXX

Gonna wrestle Benoit.

[Tazz Dan]

In a casket match

[Loose Cannon]

I was wondering why Punk didn't run out in the opening of Raw. John Cena ran out and I thought it should of been Punk. Maybe it was always suppossed to be Cena but I thought that was odd since he's more at odds with the Authority with Kane in there

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Shit. Are they trying to kill interest in the WWE network? Shooting themselves in the foot by not keeping Punk and the fans happy.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I'm sorry, I'm not really seeing the correlation between CM Punk and interest in the WWE Network.

[McLegend]

It's as clear as day.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I kind of marked out when I saw that he quit. But also, after watching his interview with Ariel Helwani and hearing more and more of his increasing frustrations I was not all that surprised, but more intrigued. I hope this wakes them up just a bit. The WWE will be fine without punk, but he's a major player and he flat out told them to fuck themselves here.

[Anybody Thrilla]

No it is not.

Anyway, this isn't Punk, but this frickin' guy:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>keep voicing your opinions <a href="https://twitter.com/WWEUniverse">@WWEUniverse</a> but please stop asking me if im going to quit, its annoying i still have a year left</p>&mdash; Dolph Ziggler (@HEELZiggler) <a href="https://twitter.com/HEELZiggler/statuses/428719585190105088">January 30, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[McLegend]

Dude, the correlation is right there.

[Theo Dious]

Shit. Are they trying to kill interest in the WWE network? Shooting themselves in the foot by not keeping Punk and the fans happy.

Why the hell should they drop trou and take it every time Punk throws a fit that he's not the top shit in the company? If they bend over and give him everything he wants now it's just going to be back to the same point in a few months.

[Tazz Dan]

No it is not.

Anyway, this isn't Punk, but this frickin' guy:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>keep voicing your opinions <a href="https://twitter.com/WWEUniverse">@WWEUniverse</a>
but please stop asking me if im going to quit, its annoying

i still have a year left</p>&mdash; Dolph Ziggler (@HEELZiggler) <a href="https://twitter.com/HEELZiggler/statuses/428719585190105088">January 30, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Fucking LOL at the replies to this.

http://imageshack.com/a/img132/6870/keyx.jpg

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Hitler sees the connection.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Why the hell should they drop trou and take it every time Punk throws a fit that he's not the top shit in the company? If they bend over and give him everything he wants now it's just going to be back to the same point in a few months.

Because he's the only one keeping them honest and telling them how we want the show to be. You're bitching about the booking and Punk is the guy that calls them out on it.

They should bow down to his demands because they are our demands too.

[Anybody Thrilla]

So are we really not going to discuss this correlation? Or are you realizing now that there isn't one?

[Innovator]

I bet Colt's podcast downloads tomorrow will be a lot bigger, people looking for a scoop

[Asmo]

If this is indeed true, then the only silver lining in this dark, dark cloud is that Bryan's place on the card goes up one notch. Same for Sheamus.

[Shadrick]

TBQH, I was thinking about it more, and I logged on to post this pretty much:


I think Punk is completely justified in my opinion.

The WWE are obviously well within their right to push whoever they want.....whether that's Daniel Bryan, Randy Orton, or part-time wrestlers that show up once in a blue moon such as The Rock, Lesnar, or a 45 year old washed up Batista.

On the flip side - CM Punk is well within his right to do what he wants if he feels that the direction of the company and/or his character is not to his standards.

Why shouldn't Punk be pissed if it actually is the WWE's intention long term to push a guy like Dave Batista ahead of himself?

When Rock came back and fought Cena, that had the allure of "a match we thought we'd never see, two eras" thing. And it went on to do the best numbers in history for that event. When Punk is given the longest reign in the modern era, only for it to be ended by a guy who is a mega star, and who made him look like a million bucks in the process I wasn't mad. Also, transitional champ to put the belt on Cena without us having to get Cena/Punk yet again. So now you get a repeat of the same main event from the previous year, face vs face, no one can be hurt by a loss, and your top guy gets the belt back to start the year off right.

Having Brock come and say "oh im the number one contender" and THEN have Batista show up on Raw after 4 years, then have him walk in at the end of the Rumble and win it, to main event against Orton, when you have a guy like Daniel Bryan who is so white hot right now...that's what I'm not getting. I get the business part of everything, but Batista vs Orton for the main event of Mania is not major for Wrestlemania XXX, and if Punk is fed up with the direction of creative as well as the booking of some of the part time guys, I completely understand.

[Swiss Ultimate]

CM Punk's new storyline:
<iframe width="640" height="390" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0PWaJ6URRU0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Tazz Dan]

So are we really not going to discuss this correlation? Or are you realizing now that there isn't one?

Give him time, he's touting his response.

[Anybody Thrilla]

That's the only acceptable thing after this waiting period.

[Bad News Gertner]

Because he's the only one keeping them honest and telling them how we want the show to be. You're bitching about the booking and Punk is the guy that calls them out on it.

They should bow down to his demands because they are our demands too.

You can't have the inmates running the asylum. It'd turn into HBK/Bret all over again. You can't run a business like that.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

That's the only acceptable thing after this waiting period.

Maybe there isn't. It just seems weird to shit on the fans when they are trying to get people to sign on to 6 months of a WWE Network that could make or break them.

The people who chant Yes! Yes! Yes! are the core WWE audience that they need to have a base audience for the Network to succeed.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I was a wrestling fan before I knew who CM Punk was. I'm still a fan now. Sucks to see him go, but I'm still getting the Network.

PROGNOSIS: No correlation.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

I was going to start doing Yes version of different theme songs. Maybe later I think I might have a cold or something.

[screech]

The Network is going to make or break them?

[Anybody Thrilla]

I'm sure that will catch on. Use your virus to go viral.

[Tazz Dan]

I want to hear STD's 'Yes!' version of This Fire Burns.

[Tazz Dan]

You can't have the inmates running the asylum. It'd turn into HBK/Bret all over again. You can't run a business like that.

Come on. If Health Slater became head booker and made himself champion you'd be singing a completely different song.

[Bad News Gertner]

Come on. If Health Slater became head booker and made himself champion you'd be singing a completely different song.

More Heath Slater is best for business. The MasterSlaters have been pushing this idea for a while.

[Bad News Gertner]

Maybe there isn't. It just seems weird to shit on the fans when they are trying to get people to sign on to 6 months of a WWE Network that could make or break them.

The people who chant Yes! Yes! Yes! are the core WWE audience that they need to have a base audience for the Network to succeed.

Completely incorrect. There's no "base audience" for the network besides wrestling fans. It'll appeal just as much to the IWC as it will to the family who can't afford to pay $50 every month for a PPV, and instead can watch them for a 1/5th the price. It has mass appeal.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I was really impressed with 3MB on Main Event, and I think they could have a really fun match with The Shield.

[Bad News Gertner]

I was really impressed with 3MB on Main Event, and I think they could have a really fun match with The Shield.

All 3 can go, especially Slater who had some fantastic matches with Justin Gabriel on Superstars. They are highly entertaining.

[Poit]

I'm definitely a fan of Drew. I'd like to see 3MB with the tag titles under the Freebird rule.

[Fignuts]

Feel like Gertner is masturbating to every new update in this story.

[Bad News Gertner]

My cock is getting a high workrate.

[NormanSmiley]

I love wrestling "news"... update #5235 on punk, one person said one source has knowledge that punk wore green tights and obviously it means its a work and source this source that with zero cred.

[Fignuts]

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/948x479q90/811/syz6.jpg

[Droford]

Its time to give the kids what they want to see

http://i.imgur.com/hqHUU.png

[Tom Guycott]

I'm definitely a fan of Drew. I'd like to see 3MB with the tag titles under the Freebird rule.

Truthfully, I thought that's where they were going when they first FORMED 3MB... to be the "new Freebirds". Hell, they enacted the Freebird rule with Spirit Squad, why not these guys?

And to make this relevant to the thread: I have it on reliable source that CM Punk will join them to become 4MB.

[Droford]

Punk should take a picture of the ball in his fridge

[Curd]

so is he going to wrestle aj styles now in roh

If not immediately as a one-off allowed by WWE, then definitely yes come July or August.

[Fignuts]

Definitely? Really?

[James Steele]

I think it is a work, but if it isn't then I have to agree with Gertner on this. CM Punk is acting like the shithead HBK was in 96/97 only Punk isn't pilled out of his mind. He throws a bitch fit whenever the WWE doesn't have the world revolve around him, and there are much more professional and ethical ways to deal with this. Stone Cold leaving was horseshit and CM Punk leaving is horseshit. He's admitted that he is "phoning it in" and started not to care as much, yet he wants to throw a temper tantrum when WWE chooses somebody else to headline WrestleMania. Batista getting the rocket push is bullshit, but you don't walk out with 6 months left on your contract. Either way, CM Punk needs to quit being such a moody bitch all the time. He is starting to come off like Bret Hart to where he is a mark for himself and takes shit too seriously. Hopefully he doesn't get to where he refuses to job in Chicago.

I fully expect him to interfere in the World Title Chamber match and fuck shit up to start his Mania match build with Triple H.

[Bad News Gertner]

Like your fucking contract is done in July. I'm big on honoring your agreement. At least finish Wrestlemania and then go away, because he's hurting the company that made him financially secure. Christ, it's like if he's not main eventing with the belt, and the storylines are catered to him he bitches. We all complained when Hogan did it, we would have bitched if the net were like how it is today when Bret and HBK held the company hostage, but because he's an IWC darling then it's ok. Bull fucking shit. He's standing to make a ton of money wrestling in a high profile match against HHH who you know will book this match to be big since he's running the show. Suck it up and finish the next two months.

[Tazz Dan]

I really hope to god this is a work after reading all this thread. So much anger in it :lol:

[Bad News Gertner]

He's so friggen tiresome. Either leave or stay. Enough with this song and dance.

[Curd]

Definitely? Really?

I "know" people... ;)

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/948x479q90/811/syz6.jpg

<img src="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/4783/batistaarielfinger.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;">

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

I want to hear STD's 'Yes!' version of This Fire Burns.

Yes version of Cult of Personality is on the list.

[XL]

If it were a work from the get go you'd think it would have happened on Raw and you've have seen him leave. More than likely it will be spun into a work when he returns and I don't doubt for a second that it will.

He's been pretty smart about it really. Right now he'll be below Batista, Cena, Orton, Lesnar and Taker for sure. Add in Bryan and Wyatt and he slides further in importance. Give it 4 months and Taker is back on sabbatical, Lessor's limited dates are used up, Batista is away filming/doing the rounds for promotion, and WWE have done a piss-poor job of elevating anybody else, Punk knows they're gonna need some star power. Ball is in his court and he has them over a barrel.

[Kris P Lettus]

If he's off the road, I wonder how long it takes for him and AJ to break up and then for him to start dating Ronda Rousey.

that'd be so awesome if he started dating rowdy ronda.

She already has a "thing" for him, but she dates Rener and he is also Punks BJJ coach so DUNNO.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/nwF6_wrBt2I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Innovator]

Rener is engaged to Eve Torres, right?

[Next Big Thing]

That's right. Wouldn't surprise me at all if Punk was In Ronda's walkout for her next fight, if only for the buzz it would create on multiple levels for both sides.

[Innovator]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I call dibs on GTS, Pepsi Plunge and running knee in corner. I am sure Sheamus will take the rest.</p>&mdash; Ryan Reeves (@Ryback22) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ryback22/statuses/428655808763547648">January 29, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Innovator]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Internet I officially delete my career to this point and now proclaim myself The Best Big Guy In The World!</p>&mdash; Ryan Reeves (@Ryback22) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ryback22/statuses/428744688711905280">January 30, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[KIRA]

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/948x479q90/811/syz6.jpg
Jesus, Dave looks old

[Kris P Lettus]

Rener is engaged to Eve Torres, right?

Might be the other borther she dates

[Kris P Lettus]

It's a Rickson black belt who teaches at Gracie MMA named Henry Atkins. She met him at their gym.

He is mad old and looks like Bobby Voelkner

[Bad News Gertner]

Lol Ryback is amazing.

[Swiss Ultimate]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Internet I officially delete my career to this point and now proclaim myself The Best Big Guy In The World!</p>&mdash; Ryan Reeves (@Ryback22) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ryback22/statuses/428744688711905280">January 30, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>“<a href="https://twitter.com/coluccid2">@coluccid2</a>:try winning a main event...or even a title before you can even declare yourself that <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23overrated&amp;src=hash">#overrated</a>” I am a 3 time WWE Champion.</p>&mdash; Ryan Reeves (@Ryback22) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ryback22/statuses/428752650897592320">January 30, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Swiss Ultimate]

Guy has 3 tweets and over 900,000 followers. If it wasn't a verified account I'd call it fake.

[Nark Order]

I think it is a work, but if it isn't then I have to agree with Gertner on this. CM Punk is acting like the shithead HBK was in 96/97 only Punk isn't pilled out of his mind. He throws a bitch fit whenever the WWE doesn't have the world revolve around him, and there are much more professional and ethical ways to deal with this. Stone Cold leaving was horseshit and CM Punk leaving is horseshit. He's admitted that he is "phoning it in" and started not to care as much, yet he wants to throw a temper tantrum when WWE chooses somebody else to headline WrestleMania. Batista getting the rocket push is bullshit, but you don't walk out with 6 months left on your contract. Either way, CM Punk needs to quit being such a moody bitch all the time. He is starting to come off like Bret Hart to where he is a mark for himself and takes shit too seriously. Hopefully he doesn't get to where he refuses to job in Chicago.

I fully expect him to interfere in the World Title Chamber match and fuck shit up to start his Mania match build with Triple H.

A Triple H fan complaining about ethics. There you go.

[SammyG]

This is TERRIBLE timing, if it's not a work. TERRIBLE. If it's a storyline, WM is gonna be hot.

[VSG]

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/948x479q90/811/syz6.jpg

Whoever did this is an artist. AJ really looks real in there.

[VSG]

Guy has 3 tweets and over 900,000 followers. If it wasn't a verified account I'd call it fake.

He deletes tweets regularly, don't go by that number.

[Swiss Ultimate]

Doesn't he understand that those tweets don't go away? That records of them still exist?

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Source: The Wrestling Observer
The latest on the CM Punk leaving WWE situation is that Punk was reportedly not happy about the idea of facing Triple H at WrestleMania. The reason is that Punk did not feel that Triple H was his idea of a big match/feud at WrestleMania.
Prior to his exit from WWE on Monday, creative plans called for CM Punk to face Kane at Elimination Chamber. This was all part of the bigger plan of Punk feuding with the Authority and leading to Punk vs. Triple H at WrestleMania. The general feeling is that Punk was turned off by the plans.
At this time, it’s being said that Vince McMahon wants Punk back, while Triple H has mixed feelings on the idea. Triple H feels that Punk walking out at the last minute on Monday was extremely disrespectful. Vince McMahon is now handling the situation.
We’ll keep you posted as we hear more.

lol I guess you need to take these reports with a grain of salt, but from what I've gathered, is Vince DOES have a good relationship with Punk for the most part, especially from the Helwani interview where Punk was talking about how they txt each other. If everything the news reports are saying is true, I find it hilarious that HHH is hiding behind Punk being unprofessional, and not admitting he's butt hurt that Punk doesn't want anything to do with him, which is honestly all kinds of amazing. That would have to chap Hunter's ass, probably thinks in his mind he's doing Punk some huge favour by "gracing" him with a match (as well as a guaranteed pedigree and 1-2-3 finish lol).

[Fignuts]

Whether you like HHH or not, he's the the top heel in the company right now, moreso than Orton. A match with him would be the culmination of the Authority angle, and would be a big deal.

[Emperor Smeat]

It’s sketchy what happened. Over the last week, ever since Punk’s interview with Ariel Helwani before the Chicago UFC show where he openly brought up that his contract was up in July and didn’t want to say what he was going to do next, several people who know him had noted not to be surprised if he leaves. Two different people said that he was “as good as gone” in July, and one said that they didn’t expect him to even last until July.

There were frustrations with creative and with money, even though he has made great money the last several years. This was not a spur of the moment thing as much as something that had been building. The way we were told was that he couldn’t take it any longer and told McMahon that he was going home. McMahon had been tied up all day since they were rewriting the show, based on what happened the prior night at the Royal Rumble to figure out a way to keep the show under control and not have the audience hijack it again. Punk had been scheduled for an interview on the show to presumably build up a match with Kane on the PPV, which would lead to his planned WrestleMania match with HHH.

Because McMahon was so busy, Punk didn’t see him until 7:30 p.m., when he told him he was leaving. The reason the Kofi Kingston vs. Alberto Del Rio match on Raw went so long is because it came during the period laid out for Punk’s interview and had to go a second segment to cover the time, so the key “money” segments would be in their correct time slots.

The working assumption internally has been for several weeks that Punk was leaving in July and not going to sign a new deal. The belief was that he is not a spender, has saved his money and doesn’t have to work. It was a weird dynamic because he’s one of the few guys on the roster that the company and Vince McMahon knew believed he didn’t need them, and financially, really doesn’t. So they can’t deal with him from the same level as all the other guys who are scared to lose their jobs and spots.

Within the company, the reason was that he came to the realization that he would never be positioned higher than he was. His goal was to main event WrestleMania, as in be in the real main event. He felt that because he didn’t fit the mold of what they think the top star in the company should look like, he would never be the guy and the centerpiece.


Another person close to the situation who was aware it was coming, just didn’t know when, said it was a classic case of being burned out, and noted the dichotomy that he’s never had a job where he’s made anywhere close to the same amount of money, nor ever been as famous, and gotten more out of wrestling than this one. But, he has been miserable at the job for some time, and he was a guy who loved working in pro wrestling when he made nothing or very little. It was noted that he never had the personal connection with Vince McMahon that most of the big stars had, and always knew he was not their kind of guy, didn’t have the look they thought a star should have, and felt he got over in spite of how he was used and not because of how he was used. The feeling was that there was a communication issue and lingering unresolved issues that dated back some time, probably most of the last year, combined with frustration regarding creative going forward and of late.

Sheamus will be replacing Punk at all the Smackdown tapings where he was largely advertised as the main star. It is a brave new world and you can never rule out the possibility it’s a work, and you won’t know for sure unless Mania comes and goes without a return. Daniel Bryan will be advertised as the main star on Smackdown going forward since John Cena is not booked often on the Tuesday tapings.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I don't think that's his problem with it. He probably thinks HHH SHOULDN'T BE a top heel right now and it would be another case of a part timer (as an active wrestler) taking away from a young guy. But that is pure speculation on my part.

[NormanSmiley]

Or it could be, just MAYBE, that CM Punk actually understands and pays attention to storylines and the show and sees that Daniel Bryan has been feuding with the authority and not Punk so having HHH v Punk is a backhanded throw together of a match just like last year, and the year before.

You guys want to act as if he is supposed to always take bullets for the company even if they are the one shooting him. That time honored code nonsense is from a far different generation. The internet age Punk knows he can create his own stir and hold the cards. Furthermore, imagine for a second there was somewhere else that was legit competition, how much more do you think creative would be coming up with better ideas and direction? IMHO that's where Punk's head is

If he walks off does he burn bridges, sure. But how many did the ultimate jackoff burn and now he's getting a bust in the HOF. He can always come back and work part time for rumbles and Mania and get in the main event that way

[VSG]

lol I guess you need to take these reports with a grain of salt, but from what I've gathered, is Vince DOES have a good relationship with Punk for the most part, especially from the Helwani interview where Punk was talking about how they txt each other. If everything the news reports are saying is true, I find it hilarious that HHH is hiding behind Punk being unprofessional, and not admitting he's butt hurt that Punk doesn't want anything to do with him, which is honestly all kinds of amazing. That would have to chap Hunter's ass, probably thinks in his mind he's doing Punk some huge favour by "gracing" him with a match (as well as a guaranteed pedigree and 1-2-3 finish lol).

What's wrong with HHH thinking Punk was being unprofessional? If I were he and this was true, I would have suspended Punk without pay.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I'll agree with Norman Smiley. He doesn't need them at this point either. I'm not the #1 CM Punk fan but I appreciate that he has a set of balls on him, and a brain in his head. He actually DOES care about the product and it seems to piss him off how bad the writing is, (which it really really is in every way)

#bigwiggle

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

What's wrong with HHH thinking Punk was being unprofessional? If I were he and this was true, I would have suspended Punk without pay.

HHH is well within his rights to think Punk unprofessional, he walked out on a contract after all. But once again, I SPECULATE that HHH is probably pretty offended the Punk doesn't really want to work with him, because the only thing bigger than Mr. "I AM THIS BUSINESS"'s nose, is his ego.

[Swiss Ultimate]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BfQM5h0IgAA8Y1L.jpg:large

[The Rogerer]

Doesn't he understand that those tweets don't go away? That records of them still exist?Deleting is for winners

[The Rogerer]

What's wrong with HHH thinking Punk was being unprofessional? If I were he and this was true, I would have suspended Punk without pay.If I were Punk, I would tell him to stick his pay up his arse.