CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and Dolph Ziggler: WWE and its week of rebellion
Daniel Bryan
As far as the WWE goes, this week, rebellion has gone viral. Anti-establishment figures are not quite rare in the WWE. But it’s interesting to see how such elements are shaping up in the WWE we know as of now. The articles are still flowing in about Daniel Bryan’s ever escalating popularity. Same goes for Punk’s rebellion and now apart from Bryan being an on screen anti- authority figure and Punk inhabiting it off screen as well, another entity has become anti-authority- the fans.
And now, Dolph Ziggler came out with his own version of being anti-establishment.
You see, these people are now crossing or have crossed all sorts of boundaries and lines. They disturb fixed categories and modes of thinking. The fans have become more and more vocal about what they think of the product in the arenas and this is very much capable of affecting the way people at home view the product on their television sets or, to be more 21st century specific, internet.
The Yes chants have become so wonderfully contagious that this moment almost 3 weeks ago amidst a Rhode Island crowd, is reminiscent of an Attitude Era-esque reaction.
An NXT taping was held up by the robust ‘CM Punk’ chants. The Royal Rumble was home to a chorus of boos soon after the 30th entrant made his way. The only person who enjoyed Batista’s was Batista himself.
Mick Foley broke his TV, too by the way.
Maybe Dolph Ziggler getting to speak his mind is a work but his emotionally charged speech was easy to connect with, as this is the guy people adore but he just doesn’t seem to catch a break. But all of these other above mentioned instances have not been part of the WWE script. The crowd has even buried Triple H with those Yes chants. So what does the WWE do with this kind of rebellion?
The Montreal Screwjob was phenomenal so much so that its traces are still freshly imprinted in the memory of the most ardent WWE fan. But the show still went on.
The WWE can continue with its half-hearted product backing the protocol guys who have the kind of build that the company supports since the times of yore. They can make great storyline end with a whimper.
Or.
They can finally listen to what can be heard all around the world and push guys (and girls) who are actually quite exciting to watch. Instead of giving us Cena- Rock-Once in a Lifetime- gone wrong, they should try and invest their money in stars who of today and tomorrow.
Sure, the product is no longer novel, but it still has its takers. The art of wrestling is not about heavy muscles and deep breathers but about being able to have the audience in the palm of your hands.
What is to follow on Raw this coming week should be interesting. This gathering rebellion looks like a staggering storm.