Support NeoGAF

[Officerrob]

Sucks that Punk is gone, but I'm honestly surprised he lasted this long. Punk has seemed burned out for quite a while and doesn't love the business enough to slog through that schedule forever. Punk also hasn't been happy about all the part timers coming in and taking spots as well as publicaly questioning creative

 

[Pavaloo]

Punk is going to return in Sting makeup

 

[Dr Duncan Steel]

He probably quit when he found out Michelle Beadle becomes the sole survivor by pinning AJ Lee in an elimation divas tag match at Mania and takes her title.

 

[Nelo Ice]

Kind of odd to ask, but if this is the last we see of Punk in WWE (no return, though I think he'll be back), how would he be remembered? As one of the greats? Or as one of the "always good, but not great" guys?

According to WWE he's good not great but IMO he's a great. Should have been legend status after his pipe bomb but that was botched and even his title run didn't seem memorable. As in I can't recall any memorable feuds or angles apart from him losing it to the Rock.

 

[Keyser Soze]

Vince should come out on RAW and put a Pepsi in the center of the ring

 

[bean breath]

I hope CM Punk doesn't do anything stupid like kill himself.

 

[G-Fex]

Vince should come out on RAW and put a Pepsi in the center of the ring

oh my god that'd be GOLD.

 

[UberTag]

I hope CM Punk doesn't do anything stupid like kill himself.

Why would you even joke about something like that?

 

[funkystudent]

Vince should come out on RAW and put a Pepsi in the center of the ring

And then Batista comes out and do the Rock part of the promo.

How he loves this company.

How anyone in the back who doesnt want to be there should leave because they clearly dont love this job like he does.

How punk took his ball and went home.



THE SALT WOULD BE GREAT!

 

[Lingitiz]

According to WWE he's good not great but IMO he's a great. Should have been legend status after his pipe bomb but that was botched and even his title run didn't seem memorable. As in I can't recall any memorable feuds or angles apart from him losing it to the Rock.

Chock that up to Cena getting the main event nod over him at every PPV. Punk didn't start getting the spotlight until he turned heel, but he was booked as the typical cowardly heel instead of the guy that was beating everyone. Despite his heel program being against Ryback, I really enjoyed his stuff with Heyman.

 

[real_slime]

Seems like I checked in on the WWE at a pretty tumultuous time. From an outsiders perspective it seemed like CM Punk was the most important guy around the past couple of years. I guess he'll come back though, he's pretty young and wrestlers are volatile about these kinds of decisions.

 

[serenewarfare]

If I had to guess, I'd say he'll be back before year's end. But I'm not too sure.

 

[UberTag]

Reposting this from the WrestleZone forums (yeah, I'm checking out other places because you guys are sleeping)...

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.

Punk posted a cryptic tweet on Monday night that looks like he was saying goodbye to the fans.

It is pretty shitty that they unveiled the WWE Network three weeks ago and still have not come clean with their talent about how their pay-per-view bonuses would be handled.

Depending on where that show is, the crowd would literally crap in their hand just to have something to throw at Batista.
It would be marvelous (Assuming I wasn't in the crowd so I could avoid friendly fire).

RAW is in Omaha, Nebraska next week.

Incidentally, I checked out vids of piglet races on YouTube after people commented on my Nebraska State Fair quips earlier yesterday.
These things are damned adorable.

 

[Hasney]

And then Batista comes out and do the Rock part of the promo.

How he loves this company.

How anyone in the back who doesnt want to be there should leave because they clearly dont love this job like he does.

How punk took his ball and went home.



THE SALT WOULD BE GREAT!

Depending on where that show is, the crowd would literally crap in their hand just to have something to throw at Batista.

It would be marvellous (Assuming I wasn't in the crowd so I could avoid friendly fire).

 

[bean breath]

Why would you even joke about something like that?

It's not a joke. I'm just putting it out there to see if anyone else is thinking the same thing.

 

[G-Fex]

Anything to get out of a feud with Kane LOL

 

[JesseEwiak]

It's not a joke. I'm just putting it out there to see if anyone else is thinking the same thing.

Punk's far more likelier to be much happier the moment he's off the road.

As was posted above, this is possibly because he learned that WM and any future shows would be treated like a TV show as far as pay goes, so there'd be no PPV bonuses aside from the few buys that'll actually come from PPV once the network hits.

 

[Hasney]

Incidentally, I checked out vids of piglet races on YouTube after people commented on my Nebraska State Fair quips earlier yesterday.
These things are damned adorable.

Oh yeah, forgot about that. I think the only takeaway from that post earlier was piglet racing rather than where Raw was actually held.

Well, they can bring bags of their farm animals excrement if they hear of the news beforehand.

Spoilers are saying that Christian got a big pop for his return and rightfully so. Just saw this bit at the end of his match though:

Spoiler

4 - Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter are out for the last Elimination Chamber qualifying match. Christian comes out with a new t-shirt. He gets a big pop for his return. JBL has to get up and remind Zeb that he's on commentary. Christian got the win with a frogsplash and the final spot in the Chamber. After the match, Zeb is furious with Swagger and throws a fit in the ring.

Yeah, Swaggs is going face for some reason

 

[Rafa=FedKilla]

He didnt want Batista in the main event in Mania. Heis taking a stand brahs. If only he takes his girl with him because Batista is going to reak her back make her humble. Just like i will do to Renee and Paige.

 

[Marvel]

Holy shit, Sting might have signed a deal with WWE? ermagerd

 

[KenOD]

I'll be honest, I didn't even notice Punk was missing on Raw. None of his feuds have honestly really mattered to me since losing to Rock and those constant resting periods during the Rumble were just yet another example of him not entertaining me when it came to wrestling. Thus character wise, it doesn't matter to me.

Tis a shame to see him go if it over various disputes, Batista getting a spot simply just by the fact he's a "star", or any reason other than he really does need the rest, but I'm not going to miss him in WWE nor do I feel bad for a guy who is quite well off and can spend the rest of his days relaxing at home or at UFC shows or singing terribly at punk rock shows.

 

[Serpentine]

Spoiler

4 - Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter are out for the last Elimination Chamber qualifying match. Christian comes out with a new t-shirt. He gets a big pop for his return. JBL has to get up and remind Zeb that he's on commentary. Christian got the win with a frogsplash and the final spot in the Chamber. After the match, Zeb is furious with Swagger and throws a fit in the ring.

Yeah, Swaggs is going face for some reason

Spoiler

YEAH FUCK TAG TEAMS. I imagine it's to get Cesaro over as a heel

 

[Mr. Enigma]

Punk hasn't given a fuck since his deal with Lesnar at Summerslam. He hasn't really been given much to work with. His HIAC match with Ryback was garbage and he's done nothing since. Batista waltzing back in after four years to win the Rumble and main event WM probably set him off for good. I know he was very outspoken about The Rock coming back after all that time and getting all those spots.

 

[G-Fex]

He didnt want Batista in the main event in Mania. Heis taking a stand brahs. If only he takes his girl with him because Batista is going to reak her back make her humble. Just like i will do to Renee and Paige.

The only stand Punk's been taking is a hot dog stand

 

[bean breath]

Punk's far more likelier to be much happier the moment he's off the road.

As was posted above, this is possibly because he learned that WM and any future shows would be treated like a TV show as far as pay goes, so there'd be no PPV bonuses aside from the few buys that'll actually come from PPV once the network hits.

I can't help but imagine the worst, what with this business and its unfortunate history being what it is. I hate to say it but it's plausible.

Hopefully more details emerge soon so we can cross this grim possibility off the list.

 

[Mr. Enigma]

Punk did make a snide comment in an interview two weeks ago about PPV payoffs when asked about WWE Network, so there's probably a lot to that.

 

[Officerrob]

I look at it like this, the wrestling business chews up and spits people out damn near every day, if someone is able to amass enough money to walk away on their own terms and live comfortably, good for them.

 

[Limit]

I can't help but imagine the worst, what with this business and its unfortunate history being what it is. I hate to say it but it's plausible.

Hopefully more details emerge soon so we can cross this grim possibility off the list.

He's not a druggie. He will be fine.

 

[UberTag]

Spoiler

YEAH FUCK TAG TEAMS. I imagine it's to get Cesaro over as a heel

The entire tag division has been in an upheaval of late...

- New Middle Age Outlaws win the belts
- Tons of Funk split up

Spoiler

- Prime Time Players split up
- Real Americans split up

That leaves us with the Rhodes brothers (who may split up themselves), the Shield (we know what's happening there), the Wyatts (embroiled in main event feuds for now), Los Matadores, 3MB, the Usos (likely favorites to get a title run soon), Rybaxel, Truth & Consequences and whatever they call Rey & Superior Cara's new team (which also won't last long because the Sin Cara gimmick is getting shut down after Scooby-Doo hits stores).

Hopefully The Miz & Ziggles form the Cleveland Connection to replenish some depth in the tag team ranks.

I look at it like this, the wrestling business chews up and spits people out damn near every day, if someone is able to amass enough money to walk away on their own terms and live comfortably, good for them.

I couldn't agree more with this. You're always so sensible, Officerrob.

 

[Toki767]

Now the crowds on these shows are going to have even more ammo to hijack the show with. Not only chanting for Bryan, but they're going to demand having Punk back during Cena/Orton/Batista and maybe even Lesnar segments.

 

[Serpentine]

The entire tag division has been in an upheaval of late...

- New Age Outlaws win the belts
- Tons of Funk split up

Spoiler

- Prime Time Players split up
- Real Americans split up

That leaves us with the Rhodes brothers (who may split up themselves), the Shield (we know what's happening there), the Wyatts (embroiled in main event feuds for now), Los Matadores, 3MB, the Usos (likely favorites to get a title run soon), Rybaxel, Truth & Consequences and whatever they call Rey & Superior Cara's new team (which also won't last long because the Sin Cara gimmick is getting shut down after Scooby-Doo hits stores).

Hopefully The Miz & Ziggles form the Cleveland Connection to replenish some depth in the tag team ranks.

calling it: Diego turns on Fernando and we get a 3 month feud between matadors with one of them unmasking and going "serious". they fight over who gets to own El Torito.

 

[Aiii]

...

Gutted.

 

[Hasney]

...

Gutted.

I know man, Serpentine will hold you. We'll all miss

Spoiler

The Prime Time Players

 

[UberTag]

...

Gutted.

AJ had a great run, Aiii. Hopefully Big Dave doesn't get his hands on her.

 

[Aiii]

Lol at AJ getting heat over this, come on guys she's been with Punk all of 6 months and was in that company long before that.

At worst she leaves on her own accord after Kaitlyn and Punk leave, but come on.

Punk though

 

[Officerrob]

If wrestlers are about to lose PPV bonuses while the WWE looks to double their TV deal, that's some bullshit

 

[Pavaloo]

So if the Punk thing is why they were rewriting Raw, does that mean the Bryan thing was a work all along?

edit: dang

 

[Aiii]

So if the Punk thing is why they were rewriting Raw, does that mean the Bryan thing was a work all along?

Punk left because he wasn't on Raw is what I'm hearing and reading, not the other way around.

 

[Serpentine]

I know man, Serpentine will hold you. We'll all miss

Spoiler

The Prime Time Players

Spoiler

millions of dollars

 

[UberTag]

If wrestlers are about to lose PPV bonuses while the WWE looks to double their TV deal, that's some bullshit

Is there a reasonable explanation as to why the WWE has kept their talent in the dark on PPV bonus payout restructuring under the Network for the past 3 weeks?
Some of these guys are dependent on those paydays because their merch lineups get sabotaged with crap like...

 

[Hasney]

If wrestlers are about to lose PPV bonuses while the WWE looks to double their TV deal, that's some bullshit

Yeah, feel like they should get a guaranteed bonus for 6 months to a year or something until the network has enough subscribers to make what they were making previously at the $9.99 price point.

I assume that it will work out as a more consistent monthly pay rather than getting a big 4 PPV bonus bump.

 

[G-Fex]

He probably would've been pissed that Sting would get title shots and all that too.

CM CHUNK QQ SOME MORE

 

[Officerrob]

Oh, if WWE actually fires

Spoiler

Darren Young

after not firing anyone in years (fucking JTG is still employed), that's embarrassing

 

[Hasney]

Is there a reasonable explanation as to why the WWE has kept their talent in the dark on PPV bonus payout restructuring under the Network for the past 3 weeks?
Some of these guys are dependent on those paydays because their merch lineups get sabotaged with crap like...

Christian apparently debuted a new shirt on his return, so I'm assuming that it'll be something out of MSPaint plastered on a t-shirt.

 

[Rafa=FedKilla]

Bryan getting stuck facing Paul Levesque? I wouldn't wish that on anyone.... Come on Phil

 

[Keyser Soze]

Tony Garea says "he" is coming!

 

[UberTag]

Oh, if WWE actually fires

Spoiler

Darren Young

after not firing anyone in years (fucking JTG is still employed), that's embarrassing

The #YesMovement can mobilize the LBGT rights activist community and get them to light a fire on the WWE as well.
They'll want something new to mobilize around after the #LoveConquersHate campaign is through with Russia.

 

[Mr. Enigma]

I look at it like this, the wrestling business chews up and spits people out damn near every day, if someone is able to amass enough money to walk away on their own terms and live comfortably, good for them.

When I worked with Nick Patrick after he got cut from WWE, we were all sitting around in a dressing room and he started talking about this. He said, "If any of you ever make it to WWE, lord help you. WWE is a machine that just wants bodies. When I hurt my back, they didn't care about working with me to get me back. They just called up another ref, stuck me down in FCW for a few months and then cut me. Vince will chew you up and spit you out. They will work you until you have nothing left and won't let you recharge. They just replace you with someone fresh." He wasn't angry at all while saying this, by the way. It was just like a, "Well, I'll be damned" thing.

 

[serenewarfare]

Aiii, everything I've seen of heard says he was scheduled for Raw, then when he left they rewrote, not the other way around. Also, kind of an informal poll... how many of use believe that the Rumble was Punk's last match?

 

[UberTag]

Aiii, everything I've seen of heard says he was scheduled for Raw, then when he left they rewrote, not the other way around. Also, kind of an informal poll... how many of use believe that the Rumble was Punk's last match?

Last match ever? Doubtful.
Last match until at least a year from now? I'm going to say YES YES YES.