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| Punk |
A few weeks back, after being named number 1 contender for John Cena (everyones' favourite white rapper turned marine turned superhero) WWE championship at the Money in the bank pay-per view (Sunday 1am BST), Punk intruded on a tables match between Cena and the recently turned schizophrenic headcase R-Truth. After costing Cena victory, it's what happened next that shocked the "WWE universe" to it's very core.
After the match, Punk strolled up the ramp, sat down (his way of proclaiming his faith, a common trait in his Nexus faction) and unleashed a verbal tirade, inwhich he didn't just break the fourth wall, he smashed it. Punk began by saying his contract is up on July 17th, and that he would be leaving the company, and would be doing so with the world title. He went on to refer to his opponent Cena, adored by the young, despised by the old, an "ass-kisser". He questioned why the marketing from the top of the company limited his endorsement and advertising opportunities. After saying he wouldn't leave wrestling, stating that he could defend the title in "New Japan Pro Wrestling" or "Ring of Honor", where he originally made a name for himself, Punk went on to lambast the "chairman of the board", and owner, Vince McMahon.
Punk teased the idea that perhaps giving McMahon's ego and strong-armed ways that the company would be "better off after Vince McMahon was dead", however then pondered the implications of it being taken over by his daughter (Stephanie McMahon) and "doofus son-in-law" (Triple H). After having his mic cut off to end the show, WWE.com almost immediately announced that Punk had been suspended indefinately. Although the suspension was lifted the following week after Cena castigated McMahon for his inability to to accept Punk's freedom of speech.
This past Monday on Raw, the last prior to the pay-per-view, Punk, back on the microphone, and Vince were partaking in "live contract negotiations", only to be interrupted by Cena before both could sign the agreement. Cena came out and called Punk a "hypocrite", leading Punk into another of his now signature, and always entertaining verbal tongue-lashings. This time Punk called Cena- a 10 time world champion, a "hypocrite" also, citing he had become everything he had hated. After claiming he was the underdog, and Cena no longer was the underdog, just like the Boston Red Sox (which did little to endear him to the Boston crowd) he went on to say that Cena had become a "dynasty", that he'd become the "New York Yankees".
Cue a minor brawl.
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| The sign from Hammersmith ballroom. |
This Sunday's pay-per-view will undoubtedly see the most partisan crowd in the company since "ECW One Night Stand" where Cena, who was as wildy unpopular with adults then, as he is now took on "ECW original" Rob Van Dam. The crowd that night chanted obscenities at Cena, threw objects from the seats, and then a comedic moment where Cena threw his t-shirt in the crowd, several times, with it being thrown back every time. Van Dam won the match, and the championship, meaning the sign in the crowd "If Cena wins we riot" didn;t have to come to fruition.
This Sunday, Punk, a Chicago native will have hometown advantage,and with his unrivalled mic skills, and perfect balance of pure mat-based wrestling and brawling style will see a conversely different style to Cena's pure brawling style, with his "Wrestling skills" long been in question, this has all the ingredients to be a match where opposites would attract.
If Punk does leave after this ppv, WWE would be missing a chance to smash open a cash pinata, as Punk, who is the most valued commodity in the company right now, the hero the elder fans, and the anti-hero to the young ones. WIth the WWE short of marketable wrestlers at this point, Cena will always sell merchandise, as the crowds any city in any country will be painted with his unique t-shirts (usually a bright coloured t-shirt doused in motivational words, hustle, loyalty, respect long being his slogan).
For the first time in years the IWC (international wrestling community) have a vesting interest in the outcome of a match, maybe since Van Dam won. As, even though scripted, this is a chance for the WWE to keep Punk by giving him an extended run with the title, something he;s never had (just 3 short reigns) and finally showing that Cena isn;t unbeatable and giving him some time off the show (something that's rumoured is both are looking for a bit of time off to nurse injuries).
Elsewhere on the pay-per view, the "Apex predator" Randy Orton takes on Christian in what is becoming hte most...only intriguing aspect of "Friday Night Smackdown". After Orton won the World Heavyweight championship off Christian 5 days after he won it, "Captain Charisma" has undergone a personality change (or a "heel turn" in wrestling terminology) and become a full-on villain. The two have undergone some brilliant matches in the previous two pay-per views, and i'd expect to see Christian win this match.
The two signature "Money in the bank" matches, an 8 man ladder match where the winner pulls a briefcase down that contains a contract for a championship match any time they want. Everyone MITB winner has gone on to win the title. This year I would expect to see the Mexican aristocrat Alberto Del Rio to win the Raw ladder match, and British brawler Wade Barrett, who has been buried from the booking, going from WWE title matches last November to being defeated in an Intercontinental title match, a title with almost no relevance anymore.
The early parts of the show will pit "The Worlds Strongest Man" Mark Henry against "The Worlds Largest Athlete" Big Show, with a combined weight of around 800 lbs (roughly 55stone) will see a unique match, and will be an exhibition of power and strength, although those who love technical wrestling, maybe go get a drink during this one.
With this being of the most anticipated wrestling events in recent memories, I would recommend not missing it, especially as it's free on sky sports to sky subscribers.
