My thoughts on the CM Punk "situation"

Just like 90% of WWE fans I was deeply disappointed when CM Punk walked out on the company in January. Now it's been three, almost four months since Punk walked out, and the dust is beginning to settle, and I have to admit, the company has been in damn fine shape since he left. As a huge Punk fan I never thought the company could possibly get any better without him, but by some strange happenings it has done, I've seen things I'd never thought I'd ever see happening in a million years; Daniel Bryan pulling double duty and beating three of the biggest stars in the company's history to win both title belts at WrestleMania XXX for a start, Paige debuting the next night and winning the Divas title from AJ Lee (funnily enough, Punk's fiance), and Antonio Cesaro getting massively over with the crowd, and getting a major push because of it. 

Where I'm going with this; I think CM Punk leaving has motivated fans enough to want to "hijack" the company. Couple Punk's walkout with the arrival of (and ultimately the horrific booking that followed) Batista has given fans the push they needed to take the show back; for years WWE has shoved crap down our throats without us wanting, or needing to see it (*cough* Cena *cough*). Now the Punk situation, and Triple H putting his buddies over has pushed fans over the edge, they've had enough, and it seemed that was the reaction that was needed. Fans needed to show that they were in control, because let's face it, if Punk had not walked out on WWE Bryan would not be champion, Paige would probably not be champion, and Cesaro would not be getting a huge Heyman push (probably because Punk would be preoccupying Heyman). WWE is in a better state without him.

But that's not the reason for this post, I want to look at what we know, what we don't know, and where we could see the company go with and without CM Punk. First let's look at what happened. 

• CM Punk walked out on WWE the night after the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, Punk was eliminated from the match by Kane and was subsequently put through the commentary table. Punk looked set to enter a feud with Kane and the New Age Outlaws, and later face Triple H at WrestleMania.
• Reports said Punk was suffering from concussion, he was told to get it checked out but did not want to get checked out and told everyone he was fine.
• Paul Heyman said on 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin's Podcast The Steve Austin Show that only three people were present in the room when Punk "quit"; CM Punk, Vince McMahon, and Triple H. None of which have spoken publicly about the incident.
• Reports have also said that Punk was unhappy with WWE's booking of Daniel Bryan, and he was also unhappy with their booking of him in a match with Triple H at WrestleMania, something which Triple H took offence to. 
• CM Punk has not been mentioned on WWE television since he walked out, except the episode of Raw which took place from Chicago where he was referenced at the top of the show, and regularly in a promo by his close, personal friend, Paul Heyman.
• Punk has made just one public appearance since departing the company, on AMC's The Talking Dead where he spoke only of The Walking Dead and was mentioned as Phil Brooks (his real name), no mention of his wrestling career, or even his CM Punk name. 
• Punk has not tweeted, commented, spoke of, or made any other public appearances since walking out of WWE, nor have WWE have acknowledged he has even left. However Punk has been removed from the signature produced at the start of every WWE show, he has been removed from all show opening sequences, but Punk's profile remains on the WWE website, and they still sell his merchandise. 

Truly, nobody knows what has really happened with CM Punk, many, including myself, have speculated on what he is going through, what has happened, and what will happen. In reality, there's only one person who really knows what's happening, and that's Phillip Jack Brooks. 

But it's fun to speculate right? I love doing a bit of fantasy booking, it's always great to see how you would run your own wrestling company (and probably run it into the ground). One of the biggest commentators on Punk's disappearance has been WWE Hall of Famer 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, Austin said numerous times he expected Punk to return before, or during WrestleMania XXX. This lead to floods of fans slavering over a potential Austin/Punk feud in WWE, so many comparisons have been made between the two over the years, however the most startling comparison is the one I'm writing about right now; Punk walking out, because Austin did exactly the same thing back in 2002. Well WMXXX has been and gone, and still no Punk. I can't say I wasn't disappointed at the end of WrestleMania XXX that there was not sign of Punk, however I was too busy marking out over the rest of the show to even care. I'm not going to lie though, a Stone Cold/CM Punk feud would probably be the biggest match ever for me, without a doubt two of my favourite of all time, I still hold a little bit of hope, but not much. 

I honestly believe that Punk left because he was just generally sick of it, he didn't like the direction the company was going in, he didn't like the way he was being booked (as well as his good friend Daniel Bryan) and was reportedly in constant pain. Wrestling five days a week for 300 days a year has to take a massive toll on the body and mind, and Punk has wrestled for almost twenty years with hardly any breaks. I believe he is well and truly banged up, and being that banged up, hurting and pissed off at the way you're being presented on television, it has to drain some of the passion out of you. If not all of the passion, and if the passion is not there, there's no reason for you to be there. I honestly don't know if, or when we'll ever see CM Punk again, it could be ten days from now, ten weeks from now, ten years from now. Nobody knows, except CM Punk. But if I were to run in to CM Punk tomorrow, there are two things I'd say to him, number one being; what the hell are you doing in South Hetton? and number two being; you may have walked out to hurt the company, and make a statement, but you also walked out on the fans, the people that pay their hard earned money to come and see you, the kids that idolize you, you may have wanted to hurt the authority backstage, and stick a finger up at the politics, but while doing that you did the same to us. I think he just needs to think about that. I realise that I sound like a whiny little girl getting dumped but it's the truth. 

The quality of the show has been better off without him, but I have to admit, if his music were to hit next week and he walked through the curtain, I would be jumping up and down cheering like the rest of you.

Thanks for reading,

Keep watching wrestling!

The NXT Invasion

So it finally happened, Paige finally debuted. I've been saying for months that the Divas division needed reshaping and now it finally looks like it is happening. Of course, I can't say that the division is getting stronger already, just two weeks after she debuted, but if we're to look at this week's Raw I think that it's a pretty strong indication of where the division is intended to go. How, you ask? Not one single "Total Diva"...that's how.

Total Divas has been constantly spewing it's garbage all over WWE in recent months, with tails of wetting one's self in the middle of the ring, and travelling with a dildo collection in one's carry on luggage. What was once billed as "reality TV" has now descended into the same awful rubbish that we see in "Keeping Up with the Kardashian's" and "Jersey Shore". What's more disturbing is that WWE (a wrestling company above all else) used this trashy show as a vehicle to get the most unwanted, and untalented female performers as over they could. Fortunately for us it didn't work as planned, and the crowds still cheered for AJ Lee, the supposed pantomime villain. But cheering for AJ Lee comes with a price; you're always going to be disappointed.

AJ was once the most over Diva in the entire organisation (maybe still is), but WWE did it's best to vomit all over her momentum with the horse dung of a show "Total Divas", having AJ mock the show (much to fans amusement) but then having the so-called 'good girls' overcome AJ and beat her 1-2-3 pretty much every week. AJ was destined to drop the title to one of them right? Wrong. The night after WrestleMania XXX a new Diva debuted. Paige. Now, probably, the new most over Diva in the company. 

Paige, of Norwich, England, if you haven't heard about her (why?), is one of the finest female performers to step between the WWE ropes, she could probably out-wrestle 90% of the male locker room too. She's the NXT Women's Champion, and the most popular star down in WWE's Orlando-based developmental system. For months now (years, maybe) fans have been clamouring for Paige to debut, to shut up AJ Lee, to stick a boot down the Bella's throats, to tie Natalya up like a shoelace (not in a dirty way), but it seemed that WWE weren't sold on her. She was stuck down in NXT for years, putting on some of the most entertaining matches the women's division had seen in a long time. But thankfully, after all the waiting and the wondering, WWE finally gave her her chance...and the Divas title (I know, right?!).

On the same night we saw the debut of Alexander Rusev, a wrestler who I'm not impressed by at all, he has minimal ring ability, can barely speak English, and is really only getting a chance because of Vince McMahon's fetish for big dudes. We also saw promos for Aldous Snow...I mean Adam Rose, and Bo Dallas. I'm honestly more excited for Rose and Bo than I am for Rusev, but I know Rusev is going to get the monster push, because he's a big guy and WWE love a big guy. As for Rose, I like the guy, he's a good worker and the gimmick seems to be taking off, however I much prefer the Kraven the Hunter-type thing he was doing as Leo Kruger, it just seemed a better look for a South African brawler than a prancy-Fandango-esque gimmick likened to Russell Brand. 

Now, Bo Dallas though...what to say. I honestly can't see him catching on again, especially with this whole "BOlieve" thing he's got going, but what can you do with Bo Dallas? He's actually really entertaining in NXT (albeit a little bit annoying) but he's really solid, however, I just don't see him taking off on the main roster the WWE probably does. At best, he's probably got a decent Intercontinental Championship run in him before he fizzles out and lets his contract run down. 

Recently we've also seen the debut of Emma, who I think has a really decent future ahead for her, and Xavier Woods, who I don't think has a future at all. I'm much more concerned about Adrian Neville, Corey Graves, Sami Zayn and Charlotte, I really see those four going far, Neville is one of the most exciting workers in recent years who doesn't injure himself in every match (yes, I'm talking about Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara), Graves looks like he has a bit of Jake the Snake about him, soft speaking promos but very dangerous in the ring, Sami Zayn simply because he's awesome and had the best match I've seen in years with Cesaro on NXT, and Charlotte who'll simply get a push because she's Flair's daughter, but can actually wrestle better than most of the current Divas division, minus Paige and AJ. 

It seems that NXT has really taken off since it started on the Network, it seems the match quality isn't what it used to be, and the talent that have jumped over to the main roster have left a bit of a hole, but I'm sure it'll pick up again soon. All they need to do is get rid of Mojo Rawley and I'll be happy, the guy's a dillweed.

I have to go but if you're lucky I'll be back soon, I have a lot to write about a certain straight edge rascal, if you have time you can check out a page I admin on Facebook here, the title doesn't really relate to what I post, I post interesting things, go check it out!

Anyway, stay awesome!

Watch NXT!

Daniel Bryan - A Goat's Tale

So I'll be the first to admit, I wasn't a huge Daniel Bryan mark back during his first major title run, I didn't like him on NXT, and I don't watch any independent promotions so I never knew him as Bryan Danielson. But 2013 has quite literally been the year of Daniel Bryan, and what has pissed me off more than anything is that Vince, Triple H and co seem determined to make 2014 the year that is not about Daniel Bryan. Bryan started 2013 well, he was tag-team champion with Kane in one of the best teams to come along in recent years, Team Hell No, then when they broke up and his singles career started (again) he seemed to be one to wander around in limbo unsure of where to go next. But then the delightful John Cena (who is actually known for trying to get younger talent over himself) picked Bryan as his opponent for SummerSlam, which was great Bryan deserved it. But if, like me, you were skeptical, you had a good right to be, I was almost certain Cena would lose...I was wrong.

Bryan won clean and solid at SummerSlam and became WWE champion, but of course, as usual, our skepticism wasn't totally off the mark; Triple H screwed Bryan so Orton became champion. I hope I'm not the only one who thinks there seems to be some sort of backstage grudge against Daniel Bryan for getting over without their help, because again Bryan won clean at Night of Champions only for some ridiculous storyline to come into play where he was stripped of the title again. Then at Battleground...no contest...then at HIAC, HBK screws him....it just goes on and on...and now he's not even in the title picture. It seems like a ridiculous, petty thing from Triple H that he feels the need to not only physically bury Bryan on every chance he gets, but also verbally mock him. Like when he mentions Bryan being the 2013 Superstar of the Year, he mentions it every time he mentions his name, like he's openly mocking him for the fans voting him. I imagine that Bryan made a big deal out of being SOTY and HHH probably said something backstage to him like "you know it's just a fan vote right? Not a real award" or something like that, he's that petty and shallow and he has to have his "boys" Orton and Cena...and now Batista...on top of the pile.

Then of course the pettiness shone through again last week when Bryan joined the Wyatt Family...it was like "hey, he's the most over superstar in the company and didn't need our help to get it...we can't have that...let's ruin it and turn him heel". It is the most single pathetic thing I've ever seen happen to a popular superstar, I really hope I'm proved wrong and they have him turn on the Wyatt Family. My ideal scenario actually would be for Kane to save him, and Undertaker to return to save the both of them, then for the three of them to work a tag team with the Wyatt's at 'Mania, 'cause let's face it, Taker isn't getting any younger and has struggled to get through the first ten minutes of a match without wilting for the past few years, it would be a great match and a good payoff. In fact, my ideal scenario would be for Bryan to win the Rumble and Wyatt to dispute it as his title shot, that way the two can face off at Elimination Chamber and Bryan wins the title shot and faces whoever at WrestleMania.

The bottom line is Bryan has been treated like dirt these past few months, all because he got over without creatives help, hopefully I'm wrong and he hasn't fully turned and this Wyatt Family angle ends soon, otherwise the only reason he's involved is because he's got a beard, which is ridiculous.

Anyway, stay awesome,

Watch wrestling.

Paige: Will She, Won't She?

If you were to ask most WWE fans who the future of the WWE Divas division was, the general consensus would tell you it was Paige. I think I've written a lot about her on this blog but that doesn't change the fact that she's probably the best thing WWE have going for them in terms of female talent and budding young stars, the main problem is that WWE doesn't seem to recognise this and Paige remains stuck down in Orlando on NXT. But in my opinion that may not be a bad thing, the thing is is that everyone seems to be satisfied with what Paige is doing, her character and the basically the way she generally presents herself on television. However if she was to be promoted to the main roster there is absolutely no guarantee that she would come up the way she is now, she may come in as a member of a faction like The Wyatt Family or The Shield, she could come in billed as a local jobber who manages to get one over on a top Diva. The problem seems to be is that most people (myself included) are happy with Paige the way she is and don't see a need to change her character, but WWE are obviously too dumb to even realize how well she is doing and how much she is appreciated, never mind how great her character is. 

I personally think the anti-diva gimmick (not really sure you could call it a gimmick) is a brilliant fit for her, she pulls it off well and it's a grand change to the crap that WWE shove down our throats every week with the whole Total Divas malarkey. I think now would be as good a time as any to bring her up to the main roster, with Total Divas returning next week and the likes of Eva Marie and JoJo bound to get more airtime than they should be, Paige is the only Diva I can see really shaking things up and making the Divas division interesting again. While AJ has been in a nice little program with them I don't see that feud going anywhere. AJ is great, I really do love watching her, but she still carries that ugly Divas championship around, and refers to herself as, pretty much, the most important Diva on the roster. I think Paige would be someone who could come in and really beat the living crap out of the Total Divas crew and probably be the only one of the whole female roster who wouldn't be referred to as a Diva and I think that would be really important in her growth as the future of the women's division.

Which brings me to my next point; I'll admit it, I love watching the Divas, not because they're hot and provide good eye candy, but because most of them genuinely want to be there and try hard to put on a good show and succeed at this level. Women like AJ Lee, Natalya, Naomi, Layla Tamina and of course Paige, have worked for years and years (some longer than most superstars) to get to the big time, especially AJ and Layla, who before becoming WWE Divas, they were huge fans of WWE. But then you get ones like The Bella Twins, Cameron and Eva Marie who really had no intention of getting into the business but still get pushed and promoted ahead of the likes of Paige, Kaitlyn and even JoJo. I'm not going to make a huge deal like most people do out of the Bella Twins, while Nikki seems content with her position as one of the top Divas through no work whatsoever, Brie seems to be genuinely working hard to get ahead of her competition, especially in recent weeks Brie seems to be working much harder, putting on better matches and genuinely looking like she belongs there, it seems that a few things may have rubbed off Daniel Bryan and onto her (giggity). Eva Marie is possibly the most baffling as to why she gets promoted, she really has no in ring talent and is notorious for her awful ability to sell falls, it's disgraceful that she's on Raw nearly every week while the likes of Paige, Kaitlyn and other sit on the sidelines doing nothing, 

I will definitely be looking to continue this post as Paige continues to develop, I just hope if/when she does get up to the main roster, WWE doesn't muck her character up and shove her on Main Event or jobbing to Eva Marie nearly every week on SmackDown. 

Cheers for reading.

It's Been A While.

I don't know if too long even describes how long it's been since I posted, I absolutely promised myself that I'd post on here as often as I can and it's been since like April since I posted. It's not like my priorities or anything have changed, I haven't stopped watching WWE, I still tweet about it all of the time and comment on Facebook and talk about it as much as I feel the need to. 

In fact in the summer I watched a bit of TNA (BOOO!!)...to be fair they did have some half decent shows and did seem to care a lot more about the women's division than WWE does (of course, we've touched upon that in a previous post Diva Destruction) but what I learned is that they are basically setting themselves up to be another WCW...without the success. I also recently bought the Best of WCW Monday Nitro DVD's from WWE Home Video UK and was actually disappointed that, back in the day, I paid too much attention to WWF and didn't bother to watch WCW at all. There were some really interesting segments and some matches that I really enjoyed on the 2 DVD sets, it makes me wonder that if TNA ever got the financial backing and audiences that WCW got would they ever be serious competition for WWE? Taking in to account the fact that WWE is now a globally recognized media brand with virtually endless funds and connections. Anyway, I stopped watching TNA after about a month, I think I might be a curse, because I'd heard from a friend that TNA was getting really good and had better programming than WWE most weeks, then as soon as I started watching it, it just turned into absolute shit. What bothered me most is Aces and Eights, I really don't understand what was going on there at all, Bubba Ray Dudley as World Heavyweight Champion? Bitch please. 

Also, The Wyatt's arrived on the main roster! I was impressed with the Wyatt's in NXT and really enjoyed watching them, I think they definitely give off a Manson family vibe which could definitely be both controversial and successful at the same time. While everyone on Twitter seems to be raving about Bray Wyatt, I've always been more impressed with Luke Harper, he just has a look of a real scary dude, and that works in his current gimmick but it worries me what they'll do with him when the Wyatt family finishes. He's a very solid worker for a big man and can go with the best of them, I also really like the "YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!" thing he does during matches, it won't be long before that's printed on t-shirts.

The whole "Authority" angle is really boring me now, the IWC have begged for so long for a heel Orton and now they have him and they're still bitching, I, personally, preferred him when he was a face, I think his character had developed so well he was more in touch with the wider, younger audience than any other superstar (except maybe Sheamus, and of course Cena). The decision to turn him heel came at a good time when Daniel Bryan was making his claim to be the top face in the company while Cena was out for "six months". But that all ended when Cena came back and now I'm worried that Bryan will be dropped like a bad habit, it seems that Bryan's world title pursuit is over and now they're pushing him to the secondary main event in a feud with the Wyatt Family. It's certainly not a good idea, a worker as solid as Bryan should be in the main event and holding the title (for longer than 3 minutes, or 23 hours) but now that Cena is back they have the two top stars that HHH wants (Cena and Orton) as well as HHH himself and Steph taking the spotlight away from every other wrestler, and belittling as many of them as they can. It's really pissing me off and I just hope that somewhere down the line Bryan steps up again and can hold the title for a decent amount of time, he can be the new Bret Hart and carry the business into a new era, but to do that he needs the torch passed to him, he was given the opportunity to make a name for himself and Vince/HHH/Steph (whoever) mustn't have thought he worked as a top star, resulting in HHH burying him every single week. I really hope he gets another big push soon (maybe a Royal Rumble win) because he really does deserve it.

Anyway, I have Uni work to do, which I should really get back to, 
So until next time, 
Holla, Holla!