CM Punk; WWE Has Me Hooked Again (2012 Official Pro Wrestling Thread)

[jerichoholicninja]

In other news, Punk got into a car being driven by Heyman to end Raw. I'm incredibly intrigued.

 

Loved it. We have one of those RAW's next week where you have to watch to see what it was all about.

to say that the story lines have been a little stale of late would be an understatement. The anger management classes have been comedy gold the last 2 weeks though. I think a Punk / Heyman duel changes that. I don't think the WWE realized how tough it would be to make him a heel after raw100.

 

I read that there was going to be a huge summer storyline like the pipebomb that started this thread or the NEXUS. If it was the heel turn at raw1000, it hasn't gone over at all. I think Heyman will get punk much more heat. He still gets cheered right now after attacking lawler. walking out on his match, and attacking cena. not sure what else they can do.

 

I agree that Punk's heel turn has been a huge disappointment in terms of heat. I think a lot has to do with feuding with Cena though. However, he does get the loudest reaction of anyone not named John Cena. Could Punk be the rare guy who's popularity has crossed both smark, mark, and average fan level?

[PrinceEatMeat]

I just read in a few places online that Lesnar vs. Triple H II is now planned for Wrestlemania 29. That's a pretty big disappointment in my opinion. I'd rather see that match happen before Mania if it has to happen, and then have Lesnar face Taker at Mania. Not sure who Taker will wrestle now, if anyone. Maybe it'll be Cena if they do Rock vs. Punk. Otherwise, I have no idea. I guess it could be Punk, but that doesn't seem as likely.

[brettac1]

Meltzer has said that HHH vs Lesnar is the Mania match, and considering it's HHH being HHH, it makes sense. Cena vs Rock at Mania is pretty much as set in stone as anything gets in WWE at this point.

 

Everything I have heard is that Taker isn't sure he will be able to work Mania.

 

As far as people mentioning Punk's heel turn lacking steam, I think that's dead on. I usually lose interest in the show and turn it off before it even gets to the main event. This week I didn't even bother at all with the show. I couldn't care less about what Punk is doing, and the ratings seem to say that a lot of people feel the same way about him.

[jerichoholicninja]

Jerry Lawler collapsed during Raw tonight. My guess would be either a heart attack or a stroke and he's been taken to the hospital.

[patrickgpe]

what a surreal raw last night. Lawler looks like he is going to be OK but was clinically dead for 20 minutes yesterday and is having surgery today. I DVR'd it and rewatched the Kane / Bryan vs PTP match and I am amazed that Cole was able to keep his composure after seeing the chaotic scene.

 

here is a video of the incident

 

http://www.sescoops.com/video-of-paramedics-tending-to-jerry-lawler-at-raw/

 

It is also shocking that Punk, Cena, and Hart was able to do that final segment knowing what is happening backstage. I know the show must go on but I think it would be hard for me to do that.

[And That]

I'm pretty surprised that they continued with the show. I don't know what they would have done to fill the time, but the show doesn't actually have to go on.

 

I am curious as to who they'll replace him with. I hope it's not just Matthews or Striker. I don't know that they'd bring back Ross to do it (even with the JR appreciation night upcoming), and if not, I hope they consider promoting Regal.

[PrinceEatMeat]

I could care less about who they replace him with. Not worried about that. I just hope he makes a full recovery. Seemed like he was about as close as he could get to dying last night. Thankfully, he's stable now. Last night was just surreal to watch. I don't know how they were able to go on with the show. It was clear everyone was shaken up by it. It definitely effected me just from watching him for year and years. I can't imagine what it was like for all the people who see and work with him on a daily basis.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Apparently, he also may have suffered some brain damage from lack of oxygen for so long after he collapsed. That would be terrible, and I hope that's not the case. Still praying for him and his family. Really hoping he pulls through this.

[patrickgpe]

overall i enjoyed the PPV last night, the ziggler/ orton and cena/ punk matches were great. Kane and Bryan continues to be comedy gold. rest of the PPV was pretty bland in my opinion.

[Mass Haas]

Looks like the interwebs concur with you

[brettac1]

I am watching tonight because of Jim Ross.

[patrickgpe]

strange ending to RAW last night after the epic match on Sunday, not sure where it goes from here minus another punk - cena match next week.

[jerichoholicninja]

Makes sense to me. Punk is going to say that the reason the ref blew the call was because of Punk isn't respected.

[And That]

The ref was not a ref, he was FCW (NXT?) developmental wrestler Brad Maddox. I kept waiting for him to take a bump.

 

Edit: I just glanced at the FCW/NXT roster and Maddox wasn't listed there with either the talent or the refs. It's possible that they've promoted him from FCW wrestler to WWE ref, I guess. In any event, he's definitely trained in the ring.

[patrickgpe]

according to his wiki page he was promoted to the wwe as a ref last month.

[BrewCrewForever]

I watched NOC, Punk/Cena and Ziggler/Orton were both great matches, probably 4 * each. Rest was pretty meh, I did like Bryan and Kane winning the Tag Titles, but the match was nothing special.

 

Aso for Raw last night, they seemed to actually develop some mid-card feuds and are giving a rip about the tag division for once so that was nice. I LOVED JR and JBL at the desk with Cole. Thought that 3 man team was better than anyting Cole/Lawler or Cole/Matthews/Booker have done. Feel bad for King of course, but I would love to see that threesome last night be the new Raw team.

[patrickgpe]

JBL is heading to Europe to climb mountains so he won't be at RAW next week.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Yeah, pretty sure they went with the 3-man booth last night just to get JR some work before he takes over for King for the time being. JBL was just signed on to go NOC and Raw last night.

[brettac1]

The ref was not a ref, he was FCW (NXT?) developmental wrestler Brad Maddox. I kept waiting for him to take a bump.

 

Edit: I just glanced at the FCW/NXT roster and Maddox wasn't listed there with either the talent or the refs. It's possible that they've promoted him from FCW wrestler to WWE ref, I guess. In any event, he's definitely trained in the ring.

Yeah, he has been a ref for probably a month or so now.

[BrewCrewForever]

I wonder if WWE ever plans to actually broadcast NXT. Either on cable, wwe.com or youtube. Can't believe they don't want to get that product out there.

[patrickgpe]

with ratings in the toilet of late, Vinnie Mac will be making an appearance on RAW. I am hoping he shakes something up. I think it will be the (unfortunate) end of the AJ Lee GM era on RAW, but we shall see.

[patrickgpe]

anyone else see punk take out a fan when he went into the stands. never understood in todays era why the WWE thinks its a good idea for their wrestlers to escape through the crowd. there is too much that can go wrong. the look on mcmahon's face was priceless though.

 

[Crew2323]

Regardless, I thought that last segment was the best we'd seen in a long while. It had attitude. Ryback's pop was huge. I've got to believe Punk will "choose" Cena to be his HIAC opponent. And I believe that's how it should be, because this way Ryback continues with his huge push without getting crushed by losing to Punk.

 

Am I the only one who feels like they're setting up a potential Punk/Austin confrontation? I think that'd be awesome.

[patrickgpe]

man i like ryback as much as i hated skip shefield. problem is he hasn't said a word yet on the mic. its hard to get a push without cutting a single promo.

[JimH5]

Regardless, I thought that last segment was the best we'd seen in a long while. It had attitude. Ryback's pop was huge. I've got to believe Punk will "choose" Cena to be his HIAC opponent. And I believe that's how it should be, because this way Ryback continues with his huge push without getting crushed by losing to Punk.

 

I'm I the only one who feels like they're setting up a potential Punk/Austin confrontation? I think that'd be awesome.

 

 

The Vince/Punk segment was awesome. And it was completely set up for a run-in. And I thought for sure Stone Cold's music was going to hit and he'd come in to take out Punk.

 

So yes, we're in agreement that they're planting seeds for Austin vs. Punk. I just thought it was coming sooner.

 

 

I thought the whole show was great, though at 3 hours, I now have to watch through the fast forwarding of my DVR to shorten it to about 1:40.