CM Punk in Money in the Bank

[Mr. Nerfect]

Do people think this is a good idea? Personally, I think having Punk in the match gives it a boost. It adds more drama having a former World Champion and winner of the match in there. But it does raise one problem with me:

Seeing as Punk has already won the match, if he doesn't win it this year, he's technically gone backwards.

Of course, his tenure with the company is increasing, his resume is always expanding, and that statement I just made is only merely from the standpoint of someone comparing his past two WrestleMania performances, but is it an issue worth thinking about? Will many people think about this? Do you think it places more pressure on Punk repeating?

I get we don't yet know the other competitors in the match, but with John Morrison tied up in tag team stuff, and MVP possibly doing something with the US Title, is CM Punk a good choice to win MITB this year? What does he then do with the title shot? I mean, the surprise win has already been done with Punk, so do the WWE need to step it up with him?

Could Punk announce a match beforehand like Rob Van Dam, and then win the title cleanly to look better? Could Punk shock the world with a heel turn when he cashes in? Or, could he do what many people have suggested someone do, and cash in the title shot right there at WrestleMania XXV, and walk out of the PPV a World Champion?

I don't know, just some discussion about where CM Punk is heading over the next few months.

[BigDaddyCool]

Edge won the first and lost the second, would you say he has gone backwards?

I guess I'm saying is that you are too early with this. Punk wasn't ready to be a real WWE or WHC last year. Now, as IC champ he is where he should be. I'm not sure if Punk has what it takes right now to be mainevent. So him possibly losing MitB isn't him going backwards. I see being a strong IC champion as better than being a fluke World Heavywieght Champion.

So lets just wait and see who else is in the match. Right now I think Punk is building steam, but he isn't mainevent.

[Mr. Nerfect]

That's a fair enough opinion, and I don't disagree. I don't think Punk was rushed to the main event. I thought it was refreshing, and given that he won the Money in the Bank title shot, and that he had already been ECW Champion, that it was a given he'd be either World Heavyweight or WWE Champion by the year's close.

That being said, I think the WWE did not do the best they could have with his title run. They realised too late they hadn't built Punk up enough, so they went back and added more supporting title reigns to his resume. Now might be the time for their second attempt at pushing him.

[BigDaddyCool]

Still don't think Punk is ready for the big time. When is the last time he looked good against a maineventer?

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Technically he's already taken a step backwards as IC champ. I don't really know what direction they could take with Punk other than a repeat winner or just a name to have in the match. They've already done the so close to winning angle with him and Kennedy.

They could do the so close to winning bit again with Punk and someone else but this time actually establish a feud out of it. No idea who that would be though

[Mr. Nerfect]

Do you think that Punk as a performer is not ready, or do you think it is the way he has been portrayed? Truthfully, I cannot remember the last time Punk looked good against a main eventer. I think it may have been just after Randy Orton cost him the World Title, and Punk defeated Orton via disqualification.

That was back when there was hope of a proper feud between the two, which I think they should have done. Yes, Randy Orton has turned out awesome this year, but assuming the WWE had gone Punk vs. Orton in a prolonged feud, I think it would have been quite awesome.

[Rammsteinmad]

It does annoy me that this is the 7th year in a row that the IC title won't be on the line at Wrestlemania WTF?!

[Mr. Nerfect]

Technically he's already taken a step backwards as IC champ. I don't really know what direction they could take with Punk other than a repeat winner or just a name to have in the match. They've already done the so close to winning angle with him and Kennedy.

They could do the so close to winning bit again with Punk and someone else but this time actually establish a feud out of it. No idea who that would be though

It'd have to be a heel. Creatively, a heel Punk would be good, but it's not something the WWE will likely do, as Punk is an up-and-coming face, and someone the WWE can probably see dollar signs in.

Truth be told, the only heel I can see winning MITB right now, is Shelton Benjamin.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It does annoy me that this is the 7th year in a row that the IC title won't be on the line at Wrestlemania WTF?!

I'm actually hoping that someone from MITB costs Punk the title to someone else, which allows there to be an IC Title match on the card. For fuck's sake, they could have just done Punk vs. Mysterio for the belt.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I still think they should hold off on Hardy v Hardy and let Matt win MITB, but that still doesn't solve the Punk problem.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Punk as a heel might be tricky, because while it would without a doubt be awesome, the nature of his character would make it hard for him to transition back to a face or have him become a beloved heel.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I still think they should hold off on Hardy v Hardy and let Matt win MITB, but that still doesn't solve the Punk problem.

Perhaps they could have someone run-in and cost Punk the match? They did that last year with Matt Hardy costing MVP the win, but if someone wanted Punk hurt enough, they could transition a Punk loss into a proper feud for him.

Also, the Cornette Rule applies to this one, as it has been over seven years since an incident like this happened: CM Punk could have the match won, when the briefcase rises out from his reach. From there, Punk goes on a spree to try and find out who did fuck him over, which leads to heels calling Punk out for his bitching, only for Punk to steamroll through them.

Eventually Punk gets a shot at the briefcase in a singles match, and someone comes out and costs Punk the match, revealing themselves to be the one responsible at WrestleMania.

[BigDaddyCool]

I don't think Punk is ready as a preformer nor is he established enough. He hasn't had many high profile matches since that month last year.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I don't think Punk is ready as a preformer nor is he established enough. He hasn't had many high profile matches since that month last year.

Fair enough.

[Team Sheep]

Punk was no way ready to be a main eventer in the Summer. Jeff Hardy was obviously going to win MITB before he fucked up again, which left them without much of an idea over who to go with to win the match. I think they just gave it to Punk and thought they'd worry about what to do with him later.

Then I think time wore on a bit and they started to realise that they didn't know how the hell they were going to use his MITB shot, so they did the storyline where both titles were on Smackdown and had Punk cash in to get a world title back to Raw and to create some interest and a shock factor.

[BigDaddyCool]

I would like to see Punk turn heel, go on a holier than thou kick with his straight edge life style. You know who would be prefect to go against? Shawn Micheals, that is who. If Punk can't find that little something he needs (or at least that I think he needs) working against HBM, I don't know who he can get it from. Then he could go to Rey, Cena, Batista, or whoever with the draft. It would be fun.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It's kind of funny that it's a similar scenario now with the titles. Perhaps they could duplicate the angle with Edge in its entirety? This also means that Punk has been the top champion on WWE brand three times in his career.

Seriously, though, if Punk did win Money in the Bank again, and then challenged Randy Orton after he cheated to win the WWE Title in the main event, and stole the WWE Title like Orton cost him the title, I think it could jump-start an awesome feud between the two.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I would like to see Punk turn heel, go on a holier than thou kick with his straight edge life style. You know who would be prefect to go against? Shawn Micheals, that is who. If Punk can't find that little something he needs (or at least that I think he needs) working against HBM, I don't know who he can get it from. Then he could go to Rey, Cena, Batista, or whoever with the draft. It would be fun.

That would be beautiful, actually. I was going to ask you who you would stick Punk against to make him more seasoned.

If they ever decided to turn Punk face again, which someone mentioned could be tricky, someone like Michaels would be the way to do it, as well. Punk could be "humbled" by HBK at a later date.

But yes, Shawn Michaels vs. CM Punk could definitely be Feud of the Year material. If they could just tease it by giving us a random match between the two on RAW, even that would be enough for me.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

They could have Rey in MITB , have Rey cost Punk the match and then have Punk pull a Backlund and just snap on Rey and put him in the anaconda vice.

[SuperSlim]

I kind of do not want to see Punk in the MITB unless there is someway to have the IC title on the line. It is time that the IC title be defended at a WrestleMania again. If Punk is in there make it so the title shot and the IC title is on the line or something.

I'm just tired of seeing the IC title being treated like nothing when it comes to WrestleMania. I mean even the women's title gets defended, the ECW title was defended last year. Even though it was an 8 second match it was still defended.

[Fabien Barthez]

It's a hard judgement call where Punk is best placed for Mania I think.

Just to clarify, I thought he was a poor choice for champion for any period of time, To be a main event, you need 2 of 3 things. Look, charisma, character. I don't think he has any.

Now he could have an IC title match with regal, or Rey or someone, but it will require TV time to build the fued, and even when it culminates, it would be under exposed compared to all the high profile, good matches there are going to be. It won't put anyone over really.

However, in MiTB, all the booking they have to do is have him win a qualifiying match, and wrestle a few matches against other qualifiers during the run up. So not to be relying on his stick talents, and allowing for lazy writing. But the match itself will get alot of time, be hyped on the card, and allow for a new fued to develop from the match for the title.

And thats also why I don't think Punk will win it.

[thedamndest]

I guess it's good that Punk is in the match. I personally would have liked to have seen him defend the IC title at Mania, but Raw doesn't really have much of a mid-card built up into any kind of program for a Mania-worthy match for him, so the MitB would be the best use of him.

I don't think he needs to win, or not winning would be a regression. I say this because I think there will be other people in the match who would benefit from a win more than Punk (Morrison, MVP, Kendrick) and that losing in a 6 or 8 person ladder match doesn't really cause you to lose anything. You just were one of the guys that didn't win.

I really don't want to see or expect to see the MitB winner come out at the end of Mania. The Mania storylines will be wrapping up nicely without throwing that wrench into things, not to mention the fact that the MitB winner will have gone through a pretty hellacious match earlier in the night so his "get the jump on the champ" plan is negated. I know Edge did that his first time, but it was a match against Flair. Not the same. Also, the WWE has an interest in keeping viewers watching that briefcase giving you that "anything can happen, anytime" feeling rather than blowing it the first night.

To summarize: Keep Punk where he is for now. He's doing a fine job at the IC level and there is no need to rush him up.

[Jeritron]

It doesn't mean he went backwards. Not even close really. Like BDC said, Edge won and then lost one. Booker and Randy Orton were in that match too, and lost. Chris Jericho "lost" last year. It's not like you job in a MITB match. You just happen not to get to the case.

This is a pointless complaint in my eyes.

[Krimzon7]

MITB needs to take a break or not be a ladder match.

[Haze]

I would like to see Punk turn heel, go on a holier than thou kick with his straight edge life style. You know who would be prefect to go against? Shawn Micheals, that is who. If Punk can't find that little something he needs (or at least that I think he needs) working against HBM, I don't know who he can get it from. Then he could go to Rey, Cena, Batista, or whoever with the draft. It would be fun.

100% agree with BDC on this one.

I love Punk. I think he is technically sound, and he isn't bad on the mic. But I have trouble seeing him as a serious maineventer, and when he won the title I was just counting down the days until he dropped it. But getting a good rub off a guy like HBK could pay off in spades for Punk.

[Tazz Dan]

I would like to see Punk turn heel, go on a holier than thou kick with his straight edge life style. You know who would be prefect to go against? Shawn Micheals, that is who. If Punk can't find that little something he needs (or at least that I think he needs) working against HBM, I don't know who he can get it from. Then he could go to Rey, Cena, Batista, or whoever with the draft. It would be fun.

Fucking spot on. Punk vs. HBK could be huge bucks. I seriously belive if they both hit it on the night, there would be a MOTY winner on the cards.

Can you imagine a Punk/HBK blowoff at WM next year? :drool:

[Mr. Nerfect]

I kind of do not want to see Punk in the MITB unless there is someway to have the IC title on the line. It is time that the IC title be defended at a WrestleMania again. If Punk is in there make it so the title shot and the IC title is on the line or something.

I'm just tired of seeing the IC title being treated like nothing when it comes to WrestleMania. I mean even the women's title gets defended, the ECW title was defended last year. Even though it was an 8 second match it was still defended.

It may be "too confusing" for some people, but CM Punk offering to put his IC Title in the briefcase with the title shot would be an interesting concept. Punk could cut a promo about how if he can't beat those seven other guys at WrestleMania, he doesn't feel like he is good enough to be Intercontinental Champion.

[BigDaddyCool]

Yeah, no. That is TNA thinking.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yeah, no. That is TNA thinking.

No, TNA thinking would have the match contain three decisions. One for the title shot, one for the belt, and one where the WINNER gets FIRED! And the kicker is: THEY DON'T KNOW WHICH ONE THEY ARE GOING FOR!

[SuperSlim]

Yeah, no. That is TNA thinking.

The belt hasn't been defended at WrestleMania since WrestleMania X-8. It needs to be defended somehow and if Punk is in the match... then what other way would there be to defend it? Or do we go yet another year without an IC title defense?

[Mr. Nerfect]

William Regal seems to be still gunning after the IC Title. Maybe one of Punk's opponents at WrestleMania could cost him the IC Title to Regal? I'm thinking that John Bradshaw Layfield makes his way into Money in the Bank, because it seems to fit his character ("I will win Money in the Bank and then I will walk out of WrestleMania in my homestate a Champion!"). JBL helping Regal win the IC Title could then lead to some face, possibly Kofi Kingston, challenging Regal for the title in the opening match of WrestleMania?

It's a stretch, but there is still a long time until Mania. Mysterio, Kingston, JBL and Knox are all singles guys on RAW with nothing to do. They can't all be in Money in the Bank. A face victory for the IC Title for Rey Mysterio or Kingston could be a good way to re-establish the belt at WrestleMania. I'd pretty much murder for a William Regal vs. Finlay IC Title match, too.

[SuperSlim]

Yeah when is WrestleMania? First Sunday in April?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yeah when is WrestleMania? First Sunday in April?

I believe so.

[Team Sheep]

Yeah when is WrestleMania? First Sunday in April?

April 5th.

[DAMN iNATOR]

I'm actually hoping that someone from MITB costs Punk the title to someone else, which allows there to be an IC Title match on the card. For fuck's sake, they could have just done Punk vs. Mysterio for the belt.

Have him drop it to Regal, and have Regal defend it at Mania.

[GD]

Punk vs Rey Mysterio would have been tremendous. Rey Mysterio is the shit right now.

[dablackguy]

Do you think that Punk as a performer is not ready, or do you think it is the way he has been portrayed? Truthfully, I cannot remember the last time Punk looked good against a main eventer. I think it may have been just after Randy Orton cost him the World Title, and Punk defeated Orton via disqualification.

That was back when there was hope of a proper feud between the two, which I think they should have done. Yes, Randy Orton has turned out awesome this year, but assuming the WWE had gone Punk vs. Orton in a prolonged feud, I think it would have been quite awesome.

How he is portrayed. I think this is the number one issue.

When Punk came back we had a perfectly set up feud for Orton vs Punk and something that could have been established a a solid rivalry. Instead we got basically a one match and done feud.. hardly worthy of the events that came before it.

Further, it makes me sick to my stomach when announcers cheapen the wrestlers, Punk is exhibit A for this. I remember a couple of weeks ago when Punk defended the title on RAW against Regal how even though he won the match, Michael Cole described him as "lucky" and King didn't really dispell that notion.

All and all, I think WWE has an idea of what they've got in the guy, but I don't think they know exacty how they wanna do it.

[wehavebensavedy2j]

Still don't think Punk is ready for the big time. When is the last time he looked good against a maineventer?

Every time he faces Y2J, those 2 have great matches and he really hasn't wrestled any others, perhaps Orton he looks good against but everyone knew Orton would win, he deserves a shot and also did well as champion never technically lost it... I think Punk vs Y2J feud would be awesome, Punk coming out and sticking up for the Legends

[wehavebensavedy2j]

and by the way CM Punk is way better then Jeff Hardy... Punk vs Michaels feud would be great but Hardy as a WHC was terrible

[Mr. Nerfect]

How he is portrayed. I think this is the number one issue.

When Punk came back we had a perfectly set up feud for Orton vs Punk and something that could have been established a a solid rivalry. Instead we got basically a one match and done feud.. hardly worthy of the events that came before it.

Further, it makes me sick to my stomach when announcers cheapen the wrestlers, Punk is exhibit A for this. I remember a couple of weeks ago when Punk defended the title on RAW against Regal how even though he won the match, Michael Cole described him as "lucky" and King didn't really dispell that notion.

All and all, I think WWE has an idea of what they've got in the guy, but I don't think they know exacty how they wanna do it.

That last sentence in particular sums up my views on how the WWE sees Punk. :y:

Also, Regal winning the IC Title and defending it at WrestleMania would be awesome. Regal vs. Finlay would be an incredible opener for the event. Or hell, if he's okay in time for Mania, since they've been building Jamie Noble's "I'm going to make it to Mania" gimmick, they could re-ignite the Regal/Noble feud.

[Triple Naitch]

Mysterio/Regal for the IC title at WM would be pretty entertaining.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It'd hopefully be a good clash of styles, and not a bad one. Mysterio winning the title in the opening match could be a fun way to start off the show.

[Better Than You]

I'm pretty tickled that Punk is simply wrestling at Wrestle Mania. I don't really care in what compacity. It's still pretty amazing to me he's made it this far. :y: