CM Punk: The Pipebomb. The Future. The Champion.

Every since The Historic 1,000th episode of Monday Night RAW went off the air CM Punk has been the main focal point of a lot of conversations in regards to the world of professional wrestling.  Punk is still in the midst of his 2nd reign as WWE Champion and during this time he has brought so much prestige back to the championship. Now its no secret that Shane is the reason that I have grown to be the CM Punk fan that I have become over the years and for that I still say thank you sir! After seeing the closing of RAW this has got me to thinking about the past as well as what lies ahead for The WWE Champion.

It’s wrote in stone that The Rock will fight for The WWE Championship on January 27th, 2013 at The Royal Rumble. Now I’m going to take a few minutes here to outline a few points on why this match should be against CM Punk and share some theories, most of which reflect back to the now infamous promo shoot on RAW last year.

1) “I don’t hate you, John. I don’t even dislike you. I do like you. I like you a hell of a lot more than I like most people in the back… I hate this idea that you’re the best. Because you’re not. I’m the best. I’m the best in the world.” – As far as wrestling ability and pure athleticism you would be very hard pressed to find anyone who does match up to Punk’s ability inside the ring. I have always been a fan of technical wrestling and its something we haven’t got to see showcased as much as it was in the past, aside from all the Punk vs Bryan PPV matches which have been excellent! People like CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler and Cody Rhodes have brought this back and if this is the next wave of talent to pull this off than by all means carry on guys!

2) “There’s one thing you’re better at than I am and that’s kissing Vince McMahon’s ass. You’re as good as kissing Vince McMahon’s ass as Hulk Hogan was. I don’t know if you’re as good as Dwayne though. He’s a pretty good ass kisser. Always was and still is.” – If Punk can keep the title until The Royal Rumble he will have held the title for 433 days overall. What better way for him to prove the statement about the game of “Hot Potato” being over when it came to the title. This long of a title reign would be something we haven’t seen since John Cena’s 3rd reign which lasted 380 days. Also in the process it would knock out a few of Hogan’s reigns. Not to mention he spoke his mind by calling The Rock out during this promo, wanting this main event for himself as well.

3) “I’ve been the best since day one when I walked into this company. And I’ve been vilified and hated since that day because Paul Heyman saw something in me that nobody else wanted to admit. That’s right, I’m a Paul Heyman guy. You know who else was a Paul Heyman guy? Brock Lesnar.”– Since it looks like Punk has turned heel again how cool would it be for him to align himself with Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar? Granted CM Punk doesn’t need a manager or anyone else to talk for him but a little shady tactics from them to occasionally help him keep the title would be shades of Triple H with Evolution or dare I say Ric Flair with the Horsemen?

4) “The only thing that’s real is me and the fact that day in and day out, for almost six years, I have proved to everybody in the world that I am the best on this microphone, in that ring, even in commentary! Nobody can touch me!” – Book him strong and just keep booking! Let Punk be Punk and don’t go against what he naturally is. WWE realized that the best thing to do with Stone Cold was allow him to just be Stone Cold. DO THAT WITH PUNK! Punk has proved that he can be a great heel in the past and he is still in his prime. Make him the most hated heel in the WWE. Bring back that feeling of “classic heel”- a guy that you would love to see get his ass kicked but nobody can because he is… well for a lack of a better phrase… “That Damn Good!” That way when he does loose the title it means that much more.

5) “This isn’t sour grapes. But the fact that Dwayne is in the main event at WrestleMania next year and I’m not makes me sick!”– Punk was already overshadowed by The Rock once and during the main event on The 1,000th Episode of RAW that flying lariat to The Rock’s face mid “People’s Elbow” made sure that wasn’t going to happen again. This could also be the beginning of him walking out the victor in a Cena feud for having to play back seat to him over the last few months when it came to PPV Main Events. If you love him or hate him WWE needs to bill him as THE Main Event.

Now I understand a lot of this is wishful thinking and I may be reading reading to much into the “shoot promo” but part of me just cant help but wonder what if? What if this is the reprise or WWE Version of The Ring of Honor Snake Promo? Looking back at it since WWE has had CM Punk under contract it really makes you wonder? What if they would have known they had Gold in their hands back in 2006? Would Vince have listened to Paul and made him The focal point of ECW and if so would it have survived? Would WWE be PG? Would John Cena be a 12 time World Champion? Would others have risen to the main spot during the tough years quicker? It really does raise a lot of questions but one thing we can be sure of going forward. After seeing CM Punk standing tall over The Rock and John Cena I think we can all safely assume that the future is secure. By trusting in Punk as Champion for as long as they have WWE has acknowledged that John Cena isn’t the only one that can carry the company anymore.  It will be fun to see how this plays out since Punk has put himself right up there in the mix with two if the biggest superstars the WWE has ever produced.

“Best in The World” hasn’t just been just a catch phrase for him. CM Punk is gunning for the top spot in WWE, you can see it in his eyes and actions every time he is on TV. Over the last year this guy has taken advantage of every opportunity given to him and has raised the bar as a whole. Whether he stays a face or plays the heel its going to be amazing to see this plan unfold. As entertaining as Punk’s reign has been, all eyes are going to be locked on him in the coming months.  This guy is most definitely the future and as impressed as I have been with him, something tells me we haven’t seen anything yet compared to what he is going to do next.

– Robbie C.

Ko@2! Official Extreme Rules PPV Predictions!

We are a month removed from Wrestlemania 28 and all the Wrestling World is talking about is the return of Brock Lesnar. We all knew Brock was close to signing a deal that night but I don’t think any of us thought he would be headlining this PPV with John Cena. It’s awesome having Brock back and it’s pretty cool to be talking about him here at The Kick Out at 2! Extreme Rules PPV Predictions.

“Extreme Rules Match”: Brock Lesnar vs John Cena

Robbie’s Pick: Brock Lesnar – I’m honestly using the same logic as I did with The Rock. Why would you have a Mega-star return to the company and look weak in his return? As crazy as Brock’s demands where Monday Night I’m sure him not looking like a looser in his return match was part of the real deal he made with WWE.

Shane’s Pick: Brock Lesnar – Vinny Mac paid a good amount of money for Brock, so I figure he’s going to get put over strong here.  I expect this feud to run a good long while, though.

Derick’s Pick: Brock Lesnar – Why, because he’s F****** Brock Lesnar!!!! – HERE COMES THE PAIN!!!!

“2-out-of-3-Falls Match” for The World Heavyweight Championship: Sheamus vs Daniel Bryan

Robbie’s Pick: Sheamus – As much as Daniel Bryan is over I’m still behind my theory that WWE has moved past month long title reigns, I hope.

Shane’s Pick: Sheamus – That strap isn’t leaving Sheamus any time soon…despite how much I want it to.  Seriously, just not a fan…

Derick’s Pick: Sheamus – Shifting the main event picture to Sheamus and Alberto and or Christian.

“Chicago Street Fight” for The WWE Championship: CM Punk vs Chris Jericho

Robbie’s Pick: CM Punk – Punk’s hometown so by WWE Logic this could go either way. I know they are going to be finishing up CM Punk’s Blu-ray Documentary at this PPV so I’m kinda hoping for Punk to retain. That being said I still believe Y2J will be the next WWE Champion.

Shane’s Pick: Chris Jericho – Going against the grain and betting against my guy, but I figure that Jericho is going to get the upper hand here and lead us into one more match.

Derick’s Pick: CM Punk – Fozzy is going on tour and Y2J’s WWE future is in doubt because of it. Punk has delivered on everything he has said so a lengthy title reign is fitting for him.

“Falls Count Anywhere Match”: Randy Orton vs Kane

Robbie’s Pick: Randy Orton – Ok the “Wrestlemania Rematch” they had on Smackdown the Friday after Wrestlemania was a hell of a lot better than whatever they attempted at  Wrestlemania 28. I just want Orton to win this and get the hell out of this terrible story line. Orton vs Bryan now please!

Shane’s Pick: Randy Orton – Of course, when we all pick Randy, he usually jobs.

Derick’s Pick: Randy Orton – Please see Rob’s comment above.

“Mystery Match” for The Intercontinental Championship: Cody Rhodes vs The Big Show

Robbie’s Pick: The Big Show – With the stipulation set to be announced just mere moments before this match starts this is kinda of the wild card. I know last month I picked Big Show so he could have his “Wrestlemania Moment” but honestly I’m not really sure about this one .

Shane’s Pick: Cody Rhodes – Show got his Mania moment…put it back on Cody.

Derick’s Pick: The Big Show – I just don’t see Big Show loosing the title that quick. It would be stupid to move the title off Cody to begin with.

United States Championship Match: Santino Marella vs. The Miz

Robbie’s Pick: Santino Marella – This match is part of The PPV but not really. It’s going to serve as the opener to the PPV and will be streamed live on YouTube. It pains me to see The US Title and The Miz being downgraded this much but hopefully it is for a greater good in the long run. Santinio will win to start everyone off on a happy note.

Shane’s Pick: Santino Marella – I really have no comment.

Derick’s Pick: The Miz – Brodus and Santino are next in line for The Tag- Team Championships. Put the US Title back on The Miz and let him rise tot he top again.

Divas Championship Match: Nikki Bella vs. Beth Phoenix

Robbie’s Pick: Nikki Bella – I miss Trish and Lita. 😦

Shane’s Pick: Kharma

Derick’s Pick: Nikki Bella – … or Mickie James…. “What is TNA!?”

Instant Reaction: Raw contract signing

It’s been a while since I’ve caught Raw and it not been on my DVR, so I figured I’d throw up some reaction to it since I caught the last hour or so live.  The part I’m going to really talk about, though, is the contract signing, since I didn’t see anything before 10:30, and the rest of what I did see wasn’t really worth commenting on.

In the last month, they’ve done more to build up Brock vs Cena to me than they did the entire year they had to build up Rock vs Cena.  I don’t know if maybe I’m just more excited to see Brock than I was Rocky, but I’m digging the way that they’ve handled this.  After a year of watching and listening to Rock and Cena jaw jack and take shots at each other, I like the fact that Brock has just been kicking Cena’s ass for a month.  It gets us more to the point of the story and lets us know that Brock is a force to be reckoned with here in the WWE.  I’ve really dug the “UFC-like” buildup videos they’ve been doing with Brock, and he comes across really well as the guy who’s done it all and is just back to kick ass and take names.  He’s also been doing a good job in proving that by getting the better end of all of his mixes with Cena.

I really liked tonight’s contract signing, and I usually hate these things.  Honestly, my favorite part was when Brock went over his list of new demands.  Now, I really liked it when Punk did this last summer, but that was to really get him over with the fans and for his demands to be so outlandish that they were humorous.  Brock’s demands just came across as almost diva-ish, and that was a great turn to this character.  Brock’s back for the money.  He’s not here to be a WWE Superstar.  He’s not here for the fans.  He’s here for Brock.  I thought that watching him put Johnny Ace over the barrel, and to have Johnny Ace show that he wasn’t happy, but to suck it up and give in, was great.  It put importance on Brock, and in a lot of ways, it made Cena look better despite not being in the ring.  Cena has spent the last year letting us know that he’s here for the fans.  He’s here because he loves it.  Heck, he ripped on Rocky for a year and Rock did nothing but talk about how much he loved being back.  Brock shows up and puts it on front street that he’s not here for anyone but him, and to further that, let’s throw some more money on the table to make him happy.

Cena coming out even made me happy, because he wasn’t the John Cena that I hate.  He was mad.  He was determined.  He didn’t dance his way out of the curtain and smile on his way down.  This was a John Cena that meant business, and this, honestly, is a John Cena that I can get behind.

This segment, honestly, made me more excited about their match at Extreme Rules than I ever was about Wrestlemania.  Hopefully they’ll deliver.

-Shane

Squash Match! – Will Super Cena Return?

Sunday we got the result that every die hard Wrestling Fan wanted and that was John Cena loosing the “Once in a Lifetime Match” against The Rock. That night I was on cloud nine after Rocky got the win fair and square. I couldn’t believe that Cena did the right thing for the business and lost in a way that was not surrounded by outside shenanigans or other questionable means that would have compromised or tainted that victory.

The next night on RAW we were shocked to see Cena on the receiving end of an F-5 from a returning Brock Lesnar. Cena had came out to address The Rock and congratulate him on his victory only to see Brock Lesnar emerge from the back. Now this has me thinking as much as I am loving seeing Cena get knocked down and taken out by mega-superstars will we see this lead to a loosing streak and transform Cena into a new character. While part of me loves this a big part of me fears that Super-Cena will end up making a return and have his sights set on the ultimate challenge.

Cena said that critics will make a point to judge him by his loss to The Rock but made a point to say it will not define his career. What if we haven’t seen the last of The Undertaker and Cena is the man destined to end the Undertaker’s Streak? I’m pretty sure that would make him the most hated Superstar ever. I’m not saying this should happen but one thing can be said. With The Rock wanting The WWE Championship and Brock being back it will surely be an interesting year for John Cena and the rest of The WWE.

The WWE Undisputed Championship

“Suddenly it’s over, and in the center of the ring, one man is victorious. The referee raises his hand, and from somewhere (you’re not quite sure where because you’re still cheering), the shining symbol of this momentous win appears. With the crowd still roaring, the winner stands alone in the ring and raises the championship belt high over his head. The lights shine off the WWE Championship title belt, and in that instant, the winner’s life will be changed forever.” – This is the excerpt from the book entitled; “The WWE Championship: A Look Back at the Rich History of the WWE Championship”.

Since its creation in 1963 the title has been held by many of the greatest performers to ever step foot inside the squared-circle but over its lifespan of 48 years the title itself has gone through so many designs. There have been many versions, some traditional representing a certain era and others representing an extension of the wrestler wearing the title at the time.

Out of the many versions we have seen over the years I believe my all time favorite belt would have to be – The Undisputed WWE Championship belt. This was the version seen on WWE Programming from 2002-2005 and it was the belt for me! The Championship is unique in and of itself based on one simple fact; this was the very last WWF Championship as well as the very first WWE Championship. I can remember The Undertaker as The American Badass wearing this belt with such honor and defending it in a manner that I would love to see again today. During this time frame you could flip on WWE, see whoever was wearing that belt and knew he was “The Man”.

The Rock as The Undisputed WWE Champion

After Triple H beat Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania X8, Ric Flair presented this title to Triple H merging The WWE Championship and World Heavyweight Championship belts into one. With a new, yet tradition look complete with The McMahon Family crest engraved into the side plates this had become the new version of WWE’s most coveted prize.  There were only 10 Superstars to ever wear this version of the Championship; Triple H, Hulk Hogan, Undertaker, The Rock, Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Eddie Guerrero, JBL and John Cena. Out of that list The Rock, Undertaker and Eddie were my personal favorites to wear this championship. I believe my favorite match for this title would have to be Eddie vs. Brock at No Way Out in 2004. If you missed it do yourself a favor and go back and watch this one. Like I stated in my very first blog, I really miss matches where earning a title match and the proper build up for a win actually meant something.

I really think it’s time for the title to take a more traditional and less John Cena looking form again. I mean seeing people like CM Punk and Alberto Del Rio wearing the “Spinner-belt” just doesn’t work well.  I know there are many of you out there who agree and others who may prefer a different version but for me The WWE Undisputed Championship will always be my favorite Championship.  Shane tells me we are getting some followers on Twitter and the site here at Kick Out at 2! So it’s your turn. Let us know what your favorite version of The WWE Championship was and why. We look forward to your feedback and thanks reading!

-Robbie C

**THE DARK MATCH – (Kick Out at 2! Bonus Feature)**