CM Punk losing the WWE Championship?

[Peter Kaymakcian]

WWE officials are considering taking the WWE Championship off CM Punk due to 'terrible ratings patterns' for his weekly segments on RAW.

The matter was broached prior to Sunday's WWE TLC pay-per-view event, which saw Punk ultimately retain the strap in a Triple Threat Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match against Alberto Del Rio and The Miz. The trend of lackluster ratings for his segments continued the following night on RAW as the program's overrun, which saw the Straight Edge Superstar, Daniel Bryan and Zack Ryder overcame The Miz, Alberto Del Rio and Dolph Ziggler, only gain 59,000 viewers.

One sources notes: "That's almost impossible given people tune in to see the following show, which basically meant wrestling fans must have been tuning out in droves (they were during the first half of the match but then started gaining at 11 p.m., but hardly gained anything)."

The main event garnered a 2.67 cable rating (2.55 for the first half of the bout). That is by far the lowest-rated main event on RAW in 2011 and possibly the lowest since 1997 for a non-holiday show in its regular time slot.

What do you guys make of this? Anyone else feel like this will set back this new Indy Revolution? Do you think CM Punk holds the title until Wrestlemania?

[THEKEVINBRAND]

people wanna see the same old shit, the kids anna see Super Cena rather than Punk and company run the place

[Wrestling_Deluxe_08]

Damn, all this over ONE night of somewhat low ratings. Did WWE forget that HBK used to draw in low ratings himself before he started to help draw in big ratings?

Punk is the hottest commodity in wrestling today, so who in the world are they going to give the belt too? John Cena? Randy Orton? Triple H? I think WWE should hold their horses for just a month or so and see what happens. The ratings may have been affected by football and basketball starting back up, as well as it being the middle of the christmas season.

[thatdevilsblue]

i completely agree...and Punk is definitely NOT the problem either....OH NO, ONE NIGHT OF CRAP RATINGS, LOOKS LIKE WE MIGHT HAVE TO TAKE THE BELT AWAY FROM PUNK...please...it's not like ratings were totally high EVERY night that Cena had the belt...Punk is the hottest commodity right now, he has the crowd pretty much behind him now, he's great in the ring and on the mic, and has the hottest merchandise sales going on...it would be completely retarded for WWE decide to take the title from him already because of ONE(OMG) bad night of ratings...people have other things going on and other shows they're are watching...does WWE REALLY think people aren't watching because they don't want to see Punk? yeah, right...

[SilverGhost]

That is stupidity. The time patterns that DUBSMark said makes sense. They should give it some time.

[THEKEVINBRAND]

I think ratings doesn't matter it's the fact that this is the IWC's dream come true

[Angel of Awesome]

Maybe someone in back just has a grudge against punk and is looking for any excuse to screw him over?

[The Brown One]

The lower ratings is the result of poor show booking combined with the time of year. There are other games on tv, so people aren't just going to watch Raw. In addition to that, Raw has had some consistently crappy booking for a while. They had way too much time spent on non - wrestlers storylines suh as Michael Cole, who doesn't draw. They also focused too much on pushing ADR, who most casual fans couldn't give a shit about, despite his numerous achievements this year. They need to improve their booking on things like those, because Punk isn't the reason that their Raw ratings have slipped.

[SilverGhost]

The lower ratings is the result of poor show booking combined with the time of year. There are other games on tv, so people aren't just going to watch Raw. In addition to that, Raw has had some consistently crappy booking for a while. They had way too much time spent on non - wrestlers storylines suh as Michael Cole, who doesn't draw. They also focused too much on pushing ADR, who most casual fans couldn't give a shit about, despite his numerous achievements this year. They need to improve their booking on things like those, because Punk isn't the reason that their Raw ratings have slipped.

WWE's mind: "Lets try to find a way to put the belt on Cena".

That would be the easy way out.

[machoo mann]

It's about time for WWE officials and creative squad to have a long look in the mirror and wonder what is the real reason behind lackluster ratings. I believe that somewhere in the mix of 355689349 scripts for MNR there are genuinely good ideas. But the creatives are scared shitless for scenes like this. We all have read that Vince has the total control of RAW and it seems like he's acting like a kid who gets bored with his new toy in a week and wants a new one. Punk is the hot prospect and he is in the place where he should be.

Problem is the constant eeny meeny with the scripts, no courage whatsoever and always creatives end up with safe solutions and what they know. If future main guys like Punk, Ziggler, Bryan etc. don't get to shine, when will be their time? I don't understand this ratings oriented logic. This is the longwanted push of young talent but because ratings are down few weeks they don't deserve to be champions after all their work? It's ridiculous. So fans at arena chant for CM Punk but fans at home don't wanna watch? I also think WWE made a huge mistake branding themselves as a entertainment company and separating themselves from the sports. Ratings will get better but changing the scene all the time for ratings isn't a solution, it will bring more problems.

[Wrestlinfan608]

raw gets low ratings because of JACK SWAGGER, KOFI KINGSTON, JOHN LAURANITUS, ALBERTO DEL RIO, ZACK RYDER BEING OVERRATED, SANTINO MATCHES EVERY MONDAY NIGHT, MICHAEL COLE, BORING DIVA MATCHES, STUPID TAG TEAM MAIN EVENTS, LACK OF STAR POWER, GIMMICK SHOWS THAT ARE TERRIBLE AND GUEST STARS LIKE THE MUPPETS AND MANY MORE REASONS

[SilverGhost]

raw gets low ratings because of JACK SWAGGER, KOFI KINGSTON, JOHN LAURANITUS, ALBERTO DEL RIO, ZACK RYDER BEING OVERRATED, SANTINO MATCHES EVERY MONDAY NIGHT, MICHAEL COLE, BORING DIVA MATCHES, STUPID TAG TEAM MAIN EVENTS, LACK OF STAR POWER, GIMMICK SHOWS THAT ARE TERRIBLE AND GUEST STARS LIKE THE MUPPETS AND MANY MORE REASONS

http://s3.amazonaws.com/kym-assets/entries/icons/original/000/007/959/BigPunk.PNG?1323903523

[browne81]

Every one should just relax for one this report might not even be true second it says they are considering how about we all wait and see if consideration turns into actions.

[The Expendable]

I don't think it's the wrestlers I think it's the terrible booking every monday night, I'm not the biggest Punk fan but I have to accept that the people loves this man so much that the pop for him are louder than Cena's pop every damn night

[LMPunker]

you cant beilive everything you read and besides it was less then a week ago i swear i saw a report saying these same officals were pleased with punks performance as champion better booking is needed and it was a week before christmas

[jelle1809]

they are not gonna do it

[Torphy]

As someone stated previously in this thread, Children and Parents do not want to see CM Punk, they want the same old shit Super Cena who never loses and always has the belt. Honestly some people are so afraid of change and difference in this world that they shield themselves from everything that might change their minds about something.

Punk isn't being helped by WWE creative either right now, ever since THAT promo i've smelt scripting all over his promos, he's being shackled, confined within the walls of PG and lets face it, CM Punk has become incredibly generic because of it. It all boils down to piss poor writing in the end, I don't care whether WWE is PG or TV-14, PG can be fantastic if they hire some writers who know anything, something about wrestling.

Who else thought that after MITB Punk was gonna be gone for 1-3 months, returning around Survivor Series to massive effect? Who else thought that Punk and McMahon/HHH were going to have a feud that would evoke memories of SCSA vs The Corperation? And what did we get? Nothing of note, really. Default storyline 4. I hear all the time of how Vince is trying to turn WWE into a Soap Opera, well here's the thing Vinnie, Soap Operas are.. entertaining! And usually have incredibly well written storylines to boot.

But, the poor handling of CM Punk isn't even scratching the surface in the failings of WWE creative (Or Vince not being able to stick to storylines), this revolution we all thought was about to happen is dead in the water until after WM i'm afraid, so Merry Christmas :)

[strider91]

People who say Punk cannot drop another pipe-bomb need to see this :


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcyEcKZ0Qcg

[Shaz11]

This is stupid! Cm Punk to lose the belt cause of one night's bad rating? Money doesn't buy you class!

[strider91]

As someone stated previously in this thread, Children and Parents do not want to see CM Punk, they want the same old shit Super Cena who never loses and always has the belt. Honestly some people are so afraid of change and difference in this world that they shield themselves from everything that might change their minds about something.

Punk isn't being helped by WWE creative either right now, ever since THAT promo i've smelt scripting all over his promos, he's being shackled, confined within the walls of PG and lets face it, CM Punk has become incredibly generic because of it. It all boils down to piss poor writing in the end, I don't care whether WWE is PG or TV-14, PG can be fantastic if they hire some writers who know anything, something about wrestling.

Who else thought that after MITB Punk was gonna be gone for 1-3 months, returning around Survivor Series to massive effect? Who else thought that Punk and McMahon/HHH were going to have a feud that would evoke memories of SCSA vs The Corperation? And what did we get? Nothing of note, really. Default storyline 4. I hear all the time of how Vince is trying to turn WWE into a Soap Opera, well here's the thing Vinnie, Soap Operas are.. entertaining! And usually have incredibly well written storylines to boot.

But, the poor handling of CM Punk isn't even scratching the surface in the failings of WWE creative (Or Vince not being able to stick to storylines), this revolution we all thought was about to happen is dead in the water until after WM i'm afraid, so Merry Christmas :)

Exactly. People thought Punk was going to become the next SCSA, instead they turned him into the next John Cena.

[printz1224]

How many low ratings nights have they had while Cena was champion? Maybe instead, they'll take this hint and find some way to get Laurinaitis off of TV

[Jags]

So they don't care the WWE championship is finally relevant again?

[clrj3514]

I'm tired of the title flip-flopping. Punk made pro wrestling relevant again this year! He should be the man defending the biggest title in the game on the grandest stage of them all. Hope they don't take the strap off of him at Elimination Chamber or God forbid the freaking Royal Rumble.

[RomanFlare]

Knee Jerk Reaction is Knee Jerk--Just like you can't tell how a President will be remembered in the first year of his presidency, you can't really put the ratings on Punk either way. If they start getting better all next year while he's champion, and decrease after he loses it, then yeah, Punk is a ratings magnet. Until then--NO SCIENTIFIC REASONIN' FOR 'CHU!

[Bodom]

You mean Punk isn't going to be Champion forever?!

[Pumpkinhead]

They should give Punk a month at least, don't make your hope thought

[Cabers]

People who say Punk cannot drop another pipe-bomb need to see this :


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcyEcKZ0Qcg

Wow. Raven must have pissed in his pepsi.

[bearsfantildeath]

yo i was at mitb ppv and when he came out it was nuts, but when he won, he was a made man in chicago forever. punk is the real deal and i will be at raw tomarrow and when that chord hits, that fuckin place is gonna explode. im super byased cuz i live in chicagoland, but he is the real deal from my seat. best in the world, period. not y2j, not orton, not aj styles, not bryan...c.m. punk

[Soul of Y2Jryder]

People shouldn't believe everything that is posted on the main page

[TheEelDeal]

Pretty sad the way people talk - at the show the POP for the 3 champs was lame at best. The ratings sucked even though people got what they wanted. It just shows they cant bring the ratings but people want to whinge - and those blaming the kids?!?!! Are you serious - the market includes plenty of 20-30s who didn't bother tuning in.

The reality is Vince went against his better judgement and to this point the viewers dont want it. If the ratings fail again then take it off him - thats the business.

I'm happy with Punk having it... But only Miz and DelRio against him? And DB holding the other through using MITB? Where could that go that is good? And Mr WOOWOOWOO winning the title clean stuffs Zigglers roll.

Apparently the title holders seem to hold no interest, and the storylines dont either.

[AreYaSerious]

Exactly. People thought Punk was going to become the next SCSA, instead they turned him into the next John Cena.

How in the hell is anything like Cena? You seriously haven't been watching wrestling have you?

[Torphy]

LOL You make it sound like people voted the belt off of CM Punk. ;)

I thought that was how the WWE worked? Isn't Simon Cowell the anonymous GM?

[Torphy]

How in the hell is anything like Cena? You seriously haven't been watching wrestling have you?

I think his point is that Punk pretty much tore Cena a new arsehole live on Raw in his shoot promo. Talking about Cena's fans buying the merchandise of a static and talentless wrestler, and PG content and how bad it was for the WWE as it meant the same old crap was gonna keep on happening. However these days Punk acts all buddy buddy with Cena when asked about him in interviews. Punk's great in the ring, he's a top notch wrestler, but all the wrestling skills in the world mean nothing when he's being shackled as he has been since Vengeance.

In my opinion, and people are entitled to disagree with me, Punk has become generic face number three, behind Cena and Orton, he's just another guy that the WWE has sucked all of the 'cool' out of and turned him into a scripted drone. Punks promos are getting stale, they're no longer edgey and they're no longer entertaining, although I had a chuckle at the gnarly Lauranitis video. I don't blame Punk for it though, I blame WWE creative for handing him a talentless, passionless prick in John Lauranitis to feud with.

Let me just clarify that i don't mind the WWE being PG, I was a huge fan in the attitude era and i'm still here today with the PG stuff. What I mind is whenever a guy comes along with a great gimmick and it looks like the WWE is about to start giving us better storylines, they pull the rug from under our feet and laugh at us as we fall on our backsides, it's the sorta shit Bischoff and Hogan were pulling in TNA.

[BIGZrudypoo812]

IMO... C.M. Punk is boring as F**k, i cannot take him serious, he talks about the same boring shit in every promo. he said he is going to save wrestling, but what has he done except have one great shoot promo? what has he dont????

there are two guys that truly deserve to be WWE champ and thats Christain and Dolph Ziggler because they are ENTERTAINING unlike CM Punk. and i hate to say it but John Cena is entertaining too because whenever he is out there you know somethings gonna happen, him getting boo'd out the ass = Entertaining Kane coming out and whuppin his ass = Entertaining.

but there is something that CM Punk and John Cena both do waaaaaaaaay to much and thats smile and laugh.... it might sound stupid but if you watch them they do...lol for some reason it gets on my nerves. like for example John Cena and CM Punk are i my mind suppost to be Rivals but when they are tag team partners they are best buds and laughing and havin a great time.... the great rivalries didnt do that...Rock and austin didnt to that

[Soul of Y2Jryder]

I enjoy Cm Punk's promos. he always make me smile or something. But he hasn't really a good feud right now. (I hate Del Rio). The person who he is feuding with is john laurenatius(whatever). He needs a good feud just like he has with Cena. and the ratings will be better

[WISEGUY]

I think Punk is caught in that flux, that he is highly known & liked by Internet Wrestling Fans. But barely recognized by that main-stream core of casual fans that have no association with wrestling, other than watching RAW every Monday and maybe SD on Friday. In which, is where most of WWE's ratings come from. That core of fans. Some of it is, IMO Punk has been a bit to literal on the insides of wrestling. Through out his promos, he is using these exclusive Wrestling terms, phrases, stories that only Hardcore fans would understand. Its starting to get to that point that he barely does kayfabe promos anymore. If I can date back to his promo with Nash after SS, he was bringing up how Nash had all these different nick names like Oz, Vinnie Vegas, Big Daddy Cool, and then ranted about how he called Eddie Guerrero a "Vanilla Midget" etc. A bunch of things that would leave people ignorant to that history of wrestling, stomped. His push right now, is a dream come true for hardcore fans. But for that other core of fans, they are totally clueless as to what is the big deal about him. Rock, Austin, Cena all leaped that fence into the mainstream world, which made them top-faces and huge draws not only with in the Wrestling community, but the outside world also. For Punk, its different . He hasn't obtained that mainstream status yet. Alot of it comes from bad booking & promoting. Put Punk on Jay Leno show, SNL,....Good Morning America put his face out there. Get him recognized. Not only that, but put him storyline feuds and let his character show more. Then maybe, you won't be in the boat of having ,mediocre ratings & contemplating the judgement of taking the title of him.

[AOF666]

Sorry but can't blame one person for low ratings.

[maar13]

You mean Punk isn't going to be Champion forever?!

No man....Sorry about that, but hey we can still believe, right?

[Soul of Y2Jryder]

I love how this comment is always made by some when a story about CM Punk, Zack Ryder, and Daniel Bryan is made but believe the rest of the news reports on the main page. you're wrong here

[Soul of Y2Jryder]

Well, if you say so, then I must be wrong. *Shrugs* :rolleyes:
not everyting that is written on the main page is true or will happen. And it isn't only about Bryan, Ryder and Punk

[Soul of Y2Jryder]

I don't recall saying that everything on the main page was true now did I?

I don't know people who believe everything what is reported on the main page but not the things about Punk Bryan and Ryder. But that's just me

[Soul of Y2Jryder]

I'm pretty sure I said SOME people do that which means I was just speaking in general.ok............

[Murphdogg4]

Anyways.....Getting back on topic:


If CM Punk does this every Raw, then the ratings will go up for sure.

noway could they do something like this, it may draw money and doesn't present wrestling in a cookie cutter way..

[Murphdogg4]

I can't decide if the writers just really suck or someone behind the scenes is booking cm in bland fueds and not letting him drop pipe bombs on purpose so he doesn't draw as champion. Hogan used to be good at sabataging other guys title runs so he'd eventually get the strap back and could say look that guy can't draw.