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

[brettac1]

I assume they have some big swerve planned since they highlighted the "every superstar is eligible" stipulation in that video the other night.

 

If they do the empty ring scenario, I think that sucks.

[PrinceEatMeat]

If they do that #30 automatically wins thing I'd be pissed. That would be really stupid. The Hart and Luger thing was a lot better idea. The twist better be something completely different.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Since everyone is eligible maybe Mick Foley goes the Mankind, Cactus Jack, and Dude Love route again. That would be pretty funny. If #30 automatically wins I could see it being Jericho to go along with his storyline right now. Or what if the twist is the WWE or WHC winning the Rumble since everyone is eligible to enter. Or maybe JL wins, although it's been done before with Vince. Or HHH could win and say screw it I want Taker at Mania, and the title spots will both be decided at Elimination Chamber.

[patrickgpe]

I assume they have some big swerve planned since they highlighted the "every superstar is eligible" stipulation in that video the other night.

 

If they do the empty ring scenario, I think that sucks.

i always assumed that a current champ would win, which is why they highlighted everyone is eligible.

[jerichoholicninja]

I assume they have some big swerve planned since they highlighted the "every superstar is eligible" stipulation in that video the other night.

 

If they do the empty ring scenario, I think that sucks.

i always assumed that a current champ would win, which is why they highlighted everyone is eligible.

That's what I'm thinking too.

[brettac1]

Yeah, so Punk can get in after losing to Ziggler, hopefully.

[patrickgpe]

Yeah, so Punk can get in after losing to Ziggler, hopefully.

punk can be in even if he doesn't loose to ziggler, thats the point with everyone superstar being eligible, which is the dumb part.

[brettac1]

Yes, but I really doubt they will have a current champ win. Or at least I hope not. I think you can use some sort of logic like how Punk knew he was going to lose, so he put his name in the hat to make sure he would have an opportunity to regain his championship.

[jerichoholicninja]

Yes, but I really doubt they will have a current champ win. Or at least I hope not. I think you can use some sort of logic like how Punk knew he was going to lose, so he put his name in the hat to make sure he would have an opportunity to regain his championship.

If one of the current champions wins he is guaranteed two rematches if he loses the belt before Wrestlemania or he could challege for the other title. There are lots of interesting ways to go if a current champ wins. What better way to stick it to Ace than winning despite Johnny's best efforts to cheat him and then getting a shot at the other world title.

[PrinceEatMeat]

What about this? A current champ wins, but then proceeds to lose their title at Elimination Chamber. They then go on to challenge for the other title. Not sure though, because a current champ winning seems too obvious with them pushing this angle. What if Punk drops the title to Ziggler, wins the Rumble, then Jericho wins the title at EC, and Punk challenges him for the title?

[Raw Biz]

What if Punk drops the title to Ziggler, wins the Rumble, then Jericho wins the title at EC, and Punk challenges him for the title?

I don't know, if Ziggler wins, I would want him to hold the title for more than a month. Otherwise it would make him seem like he's not legit.

[patrickgpe]

What if Punk drops the title to Ziggler, wins the Rumble, then Jericho wins the title at EC, and Punk challenges him for the title?

I don't know, if Ziggler wins, I would want him to hold the title for more than a month. Otherwise it would make him seem like he's not legit.

they are very good about letting up and comers win their belt only to take it away from them the next ppv and their careers hit a deadspot (see Shamus, Alberto Del Rio etc)

[radman12484]

The "every superstar is eligible" quote might be for Beth Pheonix or something entering. Or maybe we will see some old timers get in this considering ADR, Mysterio, Ryder, Christian, Sin Cara are all hurt.

[Raw Biz]

What if Punk drops the title to Ziggler, wins the Rumble, then Jericho wins the title at EC, and Punk challenges him for the title?

I don't know, if Ziggler wins, I would want him to hold the title for more than a month. Otherwise it would make him seem like he's not legit.

they are very good about letting up and comers win their belt only to take it away from them the next ppv and their careers hit a deadspot (see Shamus, Alberto Del Rio etc)

I know, which is why it will probably happen.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Yeah, I was just throwing it out there. Doubt Ziggler will win. But maybe Punk wins the Rumble, but then drops the title to Jericho at Elimination Chamber, so he has to use his shot to get his own title back. I really hope this swerve isn't something like that, but it just seems like it might be because of the whole anyone can enter thing.

[brettac1]

I guess I personally think Ziggler is far better than Del Rio or especially Sheamus. They definitely would have to let him run with it at least until Mania. I'm not an advocate of hotshotting the belts around, but if it's kept on Ziggler and Punk, it works for me. It really sucks that there is a PPV in between Rumble and Mania, because it can really cheapen the Rumble. They're too tempted to do something like have a champ drop the belt at Elimination Chamber instead of developing a longer program, at least from Rumble to Mania. I guess I'm not all that wild on having to do Punk vs Jericho.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Well, CM Punk said in an interview today that he won't be in the Rumble match, but he put over Ziggler. All signs point to him beating Ziggler, so I doubt he will be in the match. I think the anyone can enter thing is getting a little misconstrued. I doubt we'll see Punk or Bryan in the Rumble match.

[brettac1]

I think it's also possible he was working in that interview. He's a wrestler, they're always working.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Yes, but it didn't seem like it. Wasn't that main stream of an interview.

[brettac1]

Ariel Helwani is a wrestling fan, though. I know he was at Survivor Series last year.

[radman12484]

Predictions for the Royal Rumble sunday:

 

WWE Title:

CM Punk © vs. Dolph Ziggler

 

Winner: I can't go with Ziggler winning the belt just yet. I am going with CM Punk, he will make Ziggler tap out.

 

World Title: Steel Cage

Daniel Bryan © vs. Big Show vs. Mark Henry

 

Winner: Daniel Bryan will win by escaping the cage.

 

Singles Match:

John Cena vs. Kane

 

Winner: John Cena. No way do they bury Cena before Wrestlemania.

 

Royal Rumble Match:

This is one of the toughest ones to predict in a long time. However, I am gonna go with Chris Jericho winning it. I am still on board with Punk vs. Jericho at Mania.

[TracyThom]

The fantasy booker in me would like to see Daniel Bryan win by escaping over the top of the cage. At some point in the match, A.J. would return and secure the cage door with another chain/padlock. Since the refs wouldn't have the key for that lock, it would force Big Show and Henry to try to climb the cage to win.

 

Going back a few pages, someone mentioned Jim Ross. I first became a fan of Jim Ross while watching Bill Watts' UWF. Channel 4 out of Milwaukee played Watts' syndicated show every Saturday (or maybe it was Sunday) morning in 86-87. My dad would go to his Sheesphead card club at the local bar and take me with. The bar always had the UWF show on the tv. Ross was fantastic. I enjoyed Ross more when he still had his strong Oklahoma accent. The crowd was always red-hot which added to the excitement of the show. It seemed like every show had a cliffhanger ending, with the main event still going on when the credits rolled. You had to tune in the following week to see what happened. According to JR's blog, the WWE has attempted to purchase Watts' video library multiple times, but Watts' son and ex-wife won't sell it. They currently run an online store where you can purchase DVDs of the old Mid-South and UWF shows. http://www.universalwrestling.com/

 

On a somewhat related note, it looks like WWE purchased the Global Wrestling Federation library. More childhood memories, but I remember rushing home from school in the early 90s to catch the daily Global show on ESPN. Perhaps we will finally get a Booker T DVD release.

[PrinceEatMeat]

I pretty much agree with your predictions radman. Ziggler tapping makes sense with the whole JL possibly screwing Punk angle. Don't see Ziggler winning after pinning Punk 4 times. Bryan getting a cheap win on the escape makes sense to, and is an easy way for him to retain and further himself as a heel. Not sure where they'll go with the Cena/Kane match. I could see Cena "embracing the hate", going crazy, and getting DQ'd. I don't see him getting pinned clean leading up to Mania. If they really want Kane to go over though, they could allow it to happen. Don't see it though. I do think Jericho is the favorite to win the Rumble, but I still think someone from Smackdown could still win with Jericho winning the spot at Elimination Chamber. Orton would be the most likely other possibility with Bryan well on the way to a full heel turn.

[PrinceEatMeat]

The problem with the whole forcing Show and Henry to climb angle is that they can win by pinfall. They said on Smackdown that the match can be one by pinfall or submission.

[brettac1]

I'm fine with Ziggler losing as long as they book him to look strong and as a peer to Punk, since that should be their main event program come Summerslam time. I'll be angry if they make him out as just a pawn in Laurinitis' game or, worse yet, a part of a conspiracy involving Stephanie/Jericho/Laurinitis or something. I just think his growth as an inevitable main eventer (which I believe him to be) gets stunted if he looks like he needs help to win. If they do decide to go with a Punk/Jericho storyline, I hope that Ziggler remains at least on Punk's radar so he doesn't get shuttled down the card and become irrelevant. There is such a massive lack of depth of talent at the top of the card, though, that it could happen easily. I'd prefer to see him just get taken off of TV for a month before kicking off the likely Foley feud rather than have him feud with a jobber until March.