6 years ago, CM Punk signed a developemental contract with WWE, and was prepared to leave Ring of Honor. He won the ROH title and held on to it through the summer before losing to James Gibson, better known as Jamie Noble, who'd eventually follow Punk to WWE for his 2nd tour of duty with the company.
After a year at Ohio Valley Wrestling, WWE's primary developmental program at the time, Punk was called up and assigned to the ECW brand, where he became an instant favorite. Punk was on the Survivor Series team with DX & the Hardy Boyz that year, posting a 5-0 shutout. Punk was way, way over.
3 years later, Punk became the most despised man on Smackdown, turning heel and essentially hastening Jeff Hardy's exit from WWE. While we all know the sorry, sordid situation Hardy's in now, exacerbated by his year-plus in TNA, which should've known better, but that's another story, Punk, we thought, would be a tentpole player in WWE for years to come. He was just as over as a heel as he was as a face. Unfortunately, the factions he led, the Straight Edge Society & New Nexus, haven't exactly been big hits. Nexus is dying out, and Punk's seeming exit is only going to hasten its demise.
That brings us to June 27. Punk's interference in a table match between WWE Champ John Cena & R-Truth cost Cena the match, giving the challenger a leg up headed into Money in the Bank on July 17 in Punk's hometown of Chicago. Ah, but that's where things get a little dicey.
Punk stated on June 20 that he would be leaving WWE following the PPV, and taking the title with him. Essentially, it's a repeat of his last angle in ROH 6 years ago, but with a different set of supporting players. The sad part about it is, one of those players is Vince McMahon.
One of the first things that popped into my head when I read the spoilers for the July 4 Raw (taped early due to the Australian tour that starts July 1) was that the insane chairman may take more of an active hand in this angle, and, in truth, he really shouldn't. Punk & Cena don't need anyone's help putting the angle together. Cena's always written his own promos, especially those wonderful freestyle raps that got him insanely over in the first place. Exhibit A of Punk's genius is the promo he cut at the end of Raw on June 27, where he "went off the grid", as the saying goes, forcing the producers to cut off his mic to end the show. Nothing short of brilliant. McMahon's involvement will invoke the ghosts of Montreal 1997 and Survivor Series, except this time, it is the challenger, Punk, who is leaving, meaning Punk would be Bret Hart to Cena's Shawn Michaels. Fittingly, Michaels was a guest on Raw to promote his new Outdoor Channel show, and reportedly is working with Hart on a project related to that infamous night.
However, this is where the micro-managing McMahon needs to leave well enough alone. He's already forced the fans to relive 1997 several times, just for his own twisted pleasure. If anyone can take Cena to the 4-5 star match level, it's Punk. A match like this will prepare Cena for The Rock at Wrestlemania 28 next Spring in Miami. It's better that it is left to the two men competing in the ring, not a senile, 65 year old chairman who should've turned the company over to Stephanie & Triple H already, but won't.
Punk lost a few points calling Hunter a "doofus" and claiming Stephanie is "idiotic". For starters, the Princess went to Boston University. Hunter, when it comes to wrestling, is old school. Period. He was trained by the late Killer Kowalski and knows mat psychology inside out. Whereas people dreaded the WWE's golden couple taking over a few years ago, they'd just as soon have Vince retire now and let Hunter put some fresh ideas into the mix. The elder McMahon's stubborn refusal to step down may be, for all we know, what prompted son Shane to step away from the company at the end of 2009. If Punk is truly leaving, he's painting the picture of burning his bridges within the company. However, he's one of their best promo guys now, with Triple H inactive for the time being. If he does leave, it will create a major void in WWE that will be difficult to fill.
But what if Punk re-ups? What if he's able to force the changes that people have wanted? He will be hailed by critics as a hero, despite his heel persona. There have been rumors of Cena turning heel for more than a year now, especially with the "dream match" vs. Rock looming. Punk may in fact be the catalyst that McMahon has needed to facilitate that move. In turn, if Punk stays, he may well turn back face, because it's likely Nexus will turn on him during his match with Cena. What would really make Punk a hero to the masses, in this writer's opinion, is giving McMahon the Go To Sleep, and send the nutty kingpin of the company off to the sidelines again.
All eyes will be on "Sweet Home Chicago" on July 17. Will Punk avoid Raw's hometown star curse? Will he stay? Will he go? Will they finally send Vince to the Rubber Room? (Please?) We will all have to stay tuned.
