Alright, so the latest rumors insist CM Punk will in fact be returning at Monday’s WWE RAW show in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois. These rumors emanate from Dave Meltzer and the Wrestling Observer Radio show. Meltzer is a trusted source for wrestling information, probably the most trusted source, however if you actually listened to the show (as I did this morning) then you’d be a bit hesitant in thinking Punk at RAW on Monday is a sure thing.
Meltzer basically said that he personally expects Punk at RAW on Monday. He claimed that a source of his, who he noted was a “top WWE star” said it’s a 100-percent certainty, but that he could not confirm the story himself.
I look at this a couple of ways. First, and most importantly, I hope it’s true. I wrote a column a couple of weeks back when Punk walked out on the company pointing out that while everyone is looking at this situation from a business or news perspective, I was simply bummed out that it meant no more Punk promos and matches on TV every week. To this day, I still miss turning on RAW and knowing that at some point “The Best In The World” is going to hit the ring and unload a pipe bomb or two. So, if it is true, I could pretty much care less what his role will be, because whatever he does, I have enough confidence as a fan in Punk as a performer to know that it will be of quality.
Secondly, Meltzer noted that he does know for sure that if Punk does in fact return, he will either plug back into his scheduled WrestleMania XXX story line with Triple H, or be moved into the Batista vs. Randy Orton WWE World Heavyweight Championship main event match. Again, either works for me, as adding Punk into either situation brings the level of quality up a notch, both for the build-up and for the match itself.
What’s confusing about this situation is this: if Punk moves back into an angle with Triple H, where does that leave Daniel Bryan? Sure, they could move him into the title picture, but since they already started the angle between he and Hunter last Monday night, that would take some creativity as far as explaining the sudden change. It also somewhat kills the theory of this being a work, which is something I’ve seen many people say as soon as the news surfaced regarding Punk returning on Monday. How is it a work if they already moved on, started the wheels in motion for a HHH vs. Bryan match, only to one week later drop it and move Punk back into that spot as originally planned?
If it’s the latter, and Punk moves into the title picture against Batista and Orton (remember the internal document that claimed “Batista vs. Randy Orton vs. ???” at WrestleMania XXX?) once again — where does that leave Daniel Bryan? I guess he stays on course and works his program with Triple H, but with all of the hoopla among the fans, with the outpouring of support for Bryan to be added to the WrestleMania XXX title match, would the fans — who will likely be excited to see Punk back on the scene, suddenly not care about Bryan in the title picture anymore? I’m thinking not. Maybe it largely depends on the quality of the Bryan-HHH program, as if they do that right, maybe it will be enough for the fans to accept him not being in the title mix.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again — by no means am I a fantasy booker. For a second, however, let’s pretend that I am. How about this for an angle: Punk comes back, pulls the ole’ bait-and-switch, and turns heel and sides with Triple H and The Authority. This could set up Punk vs. Bryan at WrestleMania instead of HHH and Bryan. Now that sounds good on paper, but again doesn’t change the fact that it would leave Batista vs. Orton as a regular singles match for the title at WrestleMania. That’s something, no matter what Bryan or Punk are doing, that I don’t think the fans are going to accept.
Who knows. Maybe Monday will come and go and all of this excitement will be for nothing. Punk doesn’t show up, he doesn’t return, and we’re right back where we started. I really hope not, as I would very much enjoy having Punk back in the regular weekly mix on WWE television. To bottom line this, I’ll say this: I hope CM Punk is on RAW tomorrow. I don’t care what role he’s used in, as long as it’s something that he’s content with, because if he’s into it, it’s going to be good, and that’s all that matters.
What are you guys thinking? Are you expecting Punk at RAW on Monday? If so, what role do you see him coming into? Leave your feedback in the “Comments” section below. You can also add me as a friend at Facebook.com/MattBooneWZR.
