What next for CM Punk?
CM Punk is widely considered to be the top heel in the WWE today and the no. 2 superstar in the company only behind John Cena. Punk had an absolutely amazing match against the ‘Phenom’ The Undertaker at WrestleMania 29 on April 7th. It is reliably learnt that he suffered a knee injury during the match. The injury occurred when Punk tried an elbow drop on the Undertaker when he was lying on the announcer’s table. This last week on Raw, Punk came out in the ring to speak about the match and his loss at WM29. But what the WWE Universe saw was a tired Punk who didn’t talk much and walked out of the ring. Speculation is rife in the online media that Punk will be off television to nurse his injuries and won’t be back at least until SummerSlam. So what next for Punk?
The main question that comes up now is will Punk come back as a heel or will he change his persona and appear as a babyface. It is likely that he will return as a babyface and feud with heels.
(For the benefit of those fans who are new to these terms, ‘Heel’ means a negative character like a villain and ‘Babyface’ is a positive character like a hero. These two terms are widely used in the sports entertainment business to distinguish between the good and the bad!)
Here’s what we can look out for once Punk returns!
John Cena vs CM Punk
The first impression that one gets looking at this feud is ‘Been There Seen That’. But one cannot deny the fact that the feud that these two have had in the last couple of years has been simply superb. This time it can be a case of role reversals. Cena is the champion and Punk the challenger. Right now, Cena is in a feud with Ryback and Ryback may just win the title at Extreme Rules, but knowing Cena, he’ll win it back just in time to have a feud with Punk!
Dolph Ziggler vs CM Punk
This is a feud that I know many WWE fans would want to see. Though both are heel characters, WWE Universe has been vocal in their support for both the superstars. Both are good on their mic skills but for the feud to have more substance one of the two will have to turn face. CM Punk, in all likelihood may return as a face. Especially after his reaction to his loss at WM29 on Raw last week.
Brock Lesnar vs CM Punk
Now wait a minute, both are ‘Paul Heyman Guys’ aren’t they? That can be the USP of the feud. Heyman can decide to let go one of his protégés and that may lead to a feud. If the WWE do decide to go ahead with the feud, then Heyman most likely will chose Lesnar and that will pave the way for Punk to turn babyface. An interesting turn in the rivalry can be during Survivor Series when Team Lensar/Heyman faces Team Punk. Heyman can have Lesnar team up with The Shield and some big guy like the Big Show and Punk can team up with Team Hell No (if they remain as a team till Survivor Series), Shemus and may be a returning Superstar like Batista. Buzz is that Batista is going to join WWE back soon. Also, it may pave the way for a Batista Vs Brock feud for WM30 unless Rock decides to come back AGAIN!
Randy Orton vs CM Punk
Now this is a feud which has never really materialized in the WWE. Randy Orton is a face right now, but it is evident from his current storyline that he will be turning heel soon. Even if WWE decide against making Orton heel and continue having him a babyface on television, then Punk can be the heel. But the feud will gain more momentum if Orton is the heel and Punk is the babyface. Both are good in-ring wrestlers and good on the mic as well. This should be a good feud and SummerSlam can be the perfect setting for this feud to start, with it ending at Survivor Series.
Pipebomb!
Last time, when Punk was injured, he did an announcer’s job with Michael Cole and Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler on RAW, and I must say he was fun to hear on air. WWE may just decide to have Punk back as a commentator on WWE television for some time before his in-ring return. Such a move would be welcomed by all because Punk’s mic skills make him one of the best superstars WWE has ever had. After The Rock’s departure, Punk has clearly been one of the best on the mic. Punk did receive a huge pop from the WWE universe when he was doing commentary. And we all know what Punk can do with a Mic in hand, PIPEBOMB!
These are the feuds/roles I see Punk in, upon his return in the WWE. Are there any other feuds that you think Punk should be in?