CM Punk/WWE Update

Sorry about the time off between posts. I've been busy moving to a different state, then getting a nice back injury that kept me mostly watching BBC Top Gear, Pro Wrestling, and HGTV shows. Okay, maybe not the latter. But I do have an update about the CM Punk saga.

It's working. CM Punk has managed to convince the WWE heads that he's a breakout star (and should have been one years ago), and that it was internal WWE politics that kept guys like him down. The dialectic (yes, it is that) between Punk, Cena, and Triple H (the "COO" of the WWE) has been well thought out, compelling, and great in-ring action. Punk's managed to win the WWE title, and he's managed to shed light on the failure of the WWE's "status quo ante". It's a good thing, and we've gotten some great wrestling and storylines out of it. Because of Punk, they're pushing Christian, Alberto Del Rio, Evan Bourne, Daniel Bryan, and even Zack Ryder.  It's a refreshing change of pace. And we have CM Punk to thank for it.

All Hail CM Punk

The WWE just pulled off one of the great storylines in professional wrestling. They gave CM Punk the WWE Title, in a great match at the Money in the Bank PPV. Now, why is this news? The current storyline is that CM Punk’s contract is up, and he was to face John Cena for the WWE title just hours before the contract was to end. That, in the storyline, meant that potentially Punk would leave the WWE with the title. And he used his “what, are you going to fire me?” card perfectly. And last night (SPOILER ALERT) he won the WWE Title in an epic match against John Cena, in which the hometown crowd in Chicago clearly favored Punk over Cena. It’s news because Punk spent the past few weeks ranting against the WWE- on live TV- and their ossified corporate structure. See Punk's "Worked Shoot" promo and Punk vs. Vince vs. Cena

Yes, the WWE is written entertainment, but it’s also very, very, true.

 

The WWE has spent the better part of the last 6 to 7 years forcing a corporate structure down its fans’ throats.  It has gotten to the point where they’ve missed moneymaking opportunities time and time again, and seriously damaged their outlook. Punk has managed to rise to the top of the WWE, only to watch the corporate culture of the company lock him down repeatedly. I’ve seen the guy wrestle personally, in the WWE and in Ring of Honor (ROH). He’s one of the best workers and mic talkers the industry has ever seen- if given the opportunity. And what does he get for it?

He spent the better part of the last two years slowly being dumped down the roster.  Why?