Source: PWInsider:
While CM Punk VS Triple H was planned for WrestleMania XXX, word is now that Triple H will be facing Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania XXX due to CM Punk’s departure.
Tag: CM Punk
CM Punk Leaving WWE
Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that CM Punk told WWE that he was going home right before RAW started Monday night. WWE Apparently didn’t see this coming, but did expect him to leave in July when his contract expired. Punk admitted in a interview last week that “everything was up in the air” in regards to his future with WWE when his contract expires.
ProWrestling.net reports that CM Punk seemed very disinterested in the current WWE product at his Wizard World Q & A session in Portland this past Friday during Royal Rumble weekend. Punk was very upset about Batista getting the WrestleMania XXX main event. While he said he is friends with Batista he admitted that it was Daniel Bryan’s year.
Punk made the comment, “I show up. Someone tells me what to do & I just go out do it & leave.” He also implied his recent work was not good & that he was down to using two moves a match. Punk reportedly came off despondent & unhappy with WWE.
WrestlingInc.com reports that WWE has removed Punk from almost all of their upcoming live events & television tapings on the events section of their website, although he remains on the Elimination Chamber page. It is not known if Punk is injured or if something else is going on.
Here is the last tweet from Punk on Monday night.
RUMOR: CM Punk quits wwe?
Ed’s Perspective : It’s Time To Rumble
Without a doubt, The Royal Rumble is my favorite match each year.
As I put together the information in this post, I did one thing very intentional, and that was not look at any of the so called experts and their predictions.
This is a DTRT exclusive article with most of the factual information coming from WWE.com.
Beginning in 1988, on national TV and not PPV, the brainchild of WWE Hall of Famer Pat Patterson had it’s debut.
Since then, 753 entrants have taken part in what this year will be the 27th annual event. An amazing 455,107 fans have attended the previous Rumbles.
I can’t speak for the other 455,106, but I had an awesome time watching Sheamus win the 2012 version live in St. Louis.
A couple of other interesting bits of Rumble history: HBK has a record 39 eliminations. That is followed closely by Kane with 37 eliminations in his 14 different Rumble matches, and an amazing 11 in 2001 match alone.
For the CM Punk fans who might be depressed by his #1 slot, Rey Mysterio lasted an astonishing 62 minutes and 12 seconds and HBK won the 1995 Rumble from the #1 position.
So, print your scorecard now , look at the following list, check out the predictions of the DTRT staff at the end, and
Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!
As of the Jan. 20 edition of Raw, the following Superstars have been announced as official entrants in this year’s 30-Superstar Royal Rumble Match:
Batista
CM Punk (Director of Operations Kane declared Punk will enter the match at No. 1)
Alberto Del Rio
Big E Langston
The Miz
R-Truth
Xavier Woods
Kofi Kingston
Cody Rhodes
Goldust
Rey Mysterio
Fandango
Roman Reigns
Seth Rollins
Dean Ambrose
Erick Rowan
Luke Harper
Damien Sandow
Jimmy Uso
Jey Uso
Exclusive DTRT staff predictions:
John – Batista
Vanessa – CM Punk
I really hope Daniel Bryan pulls double duty cuz if so I’ll pull for him. If not I pick punk..
Trevor – Batista*
I say Batista only because of his current WWE deal puts him in a position to be in the spotlight. Do I think he deserves it? No, he came in last week and now most likely to main event Wrestlemania. This is one time I really hope my prediction is wrong.
Ed – Roman Reigns
All indications point to Batista, so I’m hoping that the creative minds go with someone who has earned the shot to headline Wrestlemania 30.
CM Punk On His Contract & Ultimate Warrior Hall Of Fame Induction
Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com interviewed CM Punk. Punk said that his contract expires in July & that he doesn’t know if he will stick around after it expires. Punk said that “everything is up in the air.’
Punk also said that he threw his name in the hat to induct The Ultimate Warrior at the Hall of Fame. Punk said Hulk Hogan appears to be the favorite to do the induction but noted that they hate each other.
Billy Kidman Appears As Paul Heyman’s Doctor
WWE Producer & former WWE Superstar Bill Kidman appeared at a WWE live event in Glasgow as Paul Heyman’s doctor. Kidman went by the name Dr. Weisenburg. Kidman pushed Heyman to the ring in a wheelchair, which led to CM Punk coming out, jumping Kidman & throwing Heyman into the ring & beating him with a Kendo stick.
Return of “The King” Clouded in Controversy
Jerry “The King” Lawler’s return to RAW on Monday has caused a lot of controversy. More on the controversy part later, as it is the intent here to focus on the real story. That story being that Lawler returned to work two months after facing a nearly fatal heart attack and the fact that he has improved to the point of being able to not only appear on RAW but to sit at the announcer’s table and do his job. This is nothing short of a miracle from God.
If you were watching RAW the night of the heart attack, you probably thought a couple of things. Either you were concerned that Lawler was not going to make it or you thought that the whole thing was a work by the WWE. As time passed and with footage of Lawler in the hospital and with reports from his girlfriend and others, it was obvious that “The King” had faced death’s door.
To hear his music play last night and to see him come from behind the curtain, is one of the feel good news stories of the year – and not just in the wrestling world. Seeing and listening to him talk about all the support, including mentioning the prayers that went out on his behalf – is a touching side of the business that we don’t get to see very often.
This first 4 minutes of this video is what the real story is!
Now for the controversy. At the 4:00 minute mark in the video, CM Punk’s music hits and Punk and Paul Heyman head for the ring. Punk does the classic heel routine and gets a lot of well deserved heat from the crowd. To long time wrestling fans, this part really shouldn’t be a surprise as Lawler and Punk had a well publicized feud prior to the heart attack – they had even been involved in a match earlier that night before Lawler slumped to the floor from his chair while doing commentary.
The next part was totally unnecessary and where many who are upset probably get totally irate. Heyman faked having a heart attack and Punk pretended to be concerned and was calling for help. There was already enough heat without this little stunt, and it really was just plain stupid.
Not everyone thought that the Heyman “heart attack” part of the segment was the only offensive part though. In an article at Wrestling Inc.com, they quote Lawler’s former business partner Jerry Jarrett from Jarrett’s Facebook page,
“I watched WWE last night. Jerry Lawler was returning after surviving a life threatening heart attack. I sat watching the television with a feeling of pride that they were honoring the return of such a great wrestler. I sat thinking, “now this is real class”. Just when I was appreciating the class WWE was showing, it ended suddenly with a juvenile cheap heat angle.”
“I turned the television off and starting thinking about Linda McMahon’s hard work and great expense running for the Senate. It is exactly this kind of programming that prevented her from becoming a Senator. Wrestling should have some limits and boundaries. If you offend great portions of the audience, it is a bad angle.”
When you read in the comments below the story you will see a mixture of opinions on the matter.
The other part of the controversy was very real, no story line – but footage of the timeline from the time Lawler fell from his chair until the ambulance pulled away from the arena. If you are a little sensitive to watch someone being treated for a heart attack as it is happening, then just skip this short video.
Some believe that this qualified in the TMI (too much information) category. It certainly was an up close and personal viewing of someone who could very easily have passed away while the cameras were rolling.
Did the WWE over step the boundaries by having Punk do his heel routine at Lawler’s expense? Was Heyman’s fake heart attack more than was necessary? Could you have done without seeing the EMT’s and doctor doing heart compression’s and using the paddles on Lawler? You can decide those things yourself.
What would be good to know is how “The King” feels about the entire situation and if he’s ok with it all. If he is, it would be good for him to let the WWE Universe know that, and put this controversy to bed.
Now back to the opening part of the article and the REAL STORY here – watch those first 4 minutes of the first video again and thank God in Heaven for sparing the life of Jerry “The King” Lawler.
Who Will The Fans Cheer For?
In a sport where the good guys and the bad guys are usually pretty clear, this question begs an answer. Who will the WWE Universe cheer for in the Survivor Series Triple Threat Match?
First there is WWE Champion CM Punk. He is officially the “heel” in the match, but seeing as he was a crowd favorite just a few weeks ago, and that many of those people are still huge fans, there will be many people cheering for the Second City Saint.
Then there is the face of the WWE, John Cena. Cena is still way over with Cenanation, especially the young crowd. You can bet there be plenty of “Let’s go Cena / CM Punk” chants.
Then there is the new kid on the block, Ryback (can you call a monster like Ryback the new kid). He gets a huge pop and the crowd goes wild with the “Feed Me More” chant. When you factor in him getting screwed over in the last PPV, then could he be the crowd favorite for the match?
There will be some fans who love all three superstars, so will they have the dilemma of who to cheer for, or will they be happy with everyone in the match and go home a winner no matter who comes out with the WWE Title that night.
Oh yeah, one more question – will we hear any Gold – berg chants?????
Raw Recap: October 29 2012 – It’s Team Punk vs Team Foley
The show opened with pictures from the Ryback vs CM Punk Hell In A Cell Match. A banged up WWE Champion CM Punk with Paul Heyman limped his way to the ring. Punk said everyone was wrong that he couldn’t beat Ryback & that he proved everyone wrong. Punk talked about how he has beaten all of the WWE fans list of heroes. Punk said he had nothing to do with referee Brad Maddox helping him beat Ryback. Punk said there wont be a rematch with Ryback, then out came Mick Foley. Foley said he didn’t come out here to embarrass Punk because Punk did a good job of that at Hell In A Cell. Foley told Punk that last month he gave him a choice of being a Legend or to be a statistic. Foley said Punk blew it. Punk bragged about being champion for 344 days. Punk said Foley seemed liked he wanted to do something about it. Punk proposed a traditional Survivor Series match at Survivor Series, Team Punk vs Team Foley. Foley accepted, then Ryback made his way to the ring & Punk & Heyman took off through the crowd.
Ryback vs JTG, Ryback wins. After the match Josh Mathews asked Ryback if he has an appetite for revenge. Ryback said revenge is an admission of pain & he is not hurting, he’s hungry. Ryback said when he feast again it will be on CM Punk. Ryback started chanting “feed me Punk”.
Randy Orton vs Wade Barrett, Orton wins after hitting the RKO.
Backstage Vickie Guerrero told AJ Lee that she will have the chance to explain her affair with John Cena. AJ said she didn’t have an affair. Vickie said the Board of Directors has asked her to consider hiring AJ back as a Diva. Vickie said she will determine if AJ is eligible. AJ said she wants to be a performer again. Vickie asked AJ what she considered her biggest weakness to be. AJ said she can become too emotionally attached to her job. Vickie asked if AJ was admitting she’s crazy. Vickie told AJ to come to her office & give her one good reason for her to give AJ a contract.
Team Hell No vs The Prime Time Players, Team Hell No wins. After the match Kane & Bryan argue who is the Tag Team Champions.
Vickie came to the ring & introduced John Cena to the ring. Cena said Vickie’s actions last week were outrageous & to show her proof of the affair with AJ. Vickie showed footage of Cena asking out AJ. Cena said it was a joke. Vickie then showed footage from last week of Cena hugging AJ. Cena said he was just giving a friend a shoulder to cry on. Vickie showed pictures of Cena & AJ having dinner. Cena said it was just a business dinner. Vickie the showed footage of Cena & AJ outside of an hotel elevator, AJ got in the elevator with Cena. Cena said what you saw was just two people getting in a elevator. Cena said he walked AJ to her door. Vickie suggested AJ invited Cena into her room. Vickie started calling AJ names & Cena cut her off & takes up for AJ. Dolph Ziggler came down to the ring. Ziggler said everybody has seen enough to draw their on conclusion. Cena grabbed Ziggler & told him to never mention his & AJ name in the same sentence again. Cena shoved Ziggler down to the mat.
Antonio Cesaro vs Kofi Kingston, The Miz was at ringside doing commentary for the match. The Miz interfered by attacking Kofi. Kofi wins by DQ. R-Truth came down to ring to help Kofi.
Backstage Vickie teases AJ about her relationship with Cena. Vickie said she will hire AJ if she will admit she cares for Cena. AJ said WWE means everything to her but Vickie is not worth lying for or hurting Cena. Vickie told AJ she is hired, bit if she ever lays her hands on her she is done. Vickie said to AJ that she has a match against Beth Phoenix. AJ said O.K.
Santino Marella & Zack Ryder vs Heath Slater & Jinder Mahal of 3MB, Slater & Mahal wins.
It was announced that Jerry “The King” Lawler will return in 2 weeks.
AJ vs Beth Phoenix, AJ wins but Vickie came out & said she demands more from AJ, Beth attacked AJ & Vickie said she is going to give AJ 1 more chance to do better & Vickie ordered the match the be restarted. Beth wins.
Sheamus came to the ring, Sheamus talked about still having a smile on his face after losing the World Title to the Big Show. Sheamus said Big Show was the better man at Hell In A Cell but that the war is not over. Big Show came out & said Sheamus is smiling to hide the truth. Big Show said no one has ever made him dig that deep & he realized that he has no limits& whatever Sheamus brings wont be enough. Big Show said that Sheamus can’t beat him & will never take the title from him. Sheamus picked up Big Show & dropped him with the White Noise.
Backstage Cena hugged AJ & told her it was good to see her back in the ring & to keep her chin up. Vickie was looking on in the background. Beth Phoenix approached Vickie. Vickie told Beth that if she had done her job to begin with she wouldn’t have needed to restart the match. Vickie then fired Beth.
Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara vs Team Rhodes Scholars, Team Rhodes Scholars win.
A video was showed about WWE teaming with Susan G. Komen. Vince McMahon & the WWE roster was on the stage. McMahon introduced Cena who was in the ring, Cena presented a check for $1,000,000 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Alberto Del Rio vs Justin Gabriel, Del Rio wins.
Paul Heyman in the ring brings out CM Punk, Punk limped his way to the ring. Heyman called Punk the greatest WWE Champion of all time. Heyman introduced Team Punk: The Miz, Team Rhodes Scholars & Alberto Del Rio. Punk said at Survivor Series it will be a celebration & said he will put Foley out of his misery. Foley came out to the ring. Foley said Punk weaseled his way out of Hell In A Cell & at the site of Ryback by having a crooked referee. Foley introduced Team Foley: Kofi Kingston, Team Hell No & Randy Orton. Punk praised Foley on his team. Foley said he wasn’t competing & introduced his 5th man, Ryback. A brawl broke out in the ring as Ryback made his way to the ring. Punk & Heyman retreated up the ramp as Ryback from the center of the ring stared at Punk, fans started chanting “feed me more”. Ryback picked up & delivered the Shell Shocked to Cody Rhodes.
Raw Recap: October 22 2012 – AJ Lee Resigns as GM
Michael Cole announced that Raw GM AJ Lee tweeted that she had been called to an emergency meeting at the WWE headquarters earlier.
Tag Team Tournament #1 Contender Finals: Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara vs Team Rhodes Scholars, Team Rhodes Scholars win. They will face Team Hell No for the Tag Team Championship Sunday at Hell In A Cell.
New Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston vs Michael McGillicutty, Kofi wins.
John Cena made his way out to the ring, Cena talked about Hell In A Cell & CM Punks reign as WWE Champion. Cena said Punk was right when before Punk became Champion – that there was going to be change. Cena said we will see change at Hell In A Cell in the form of Ryback. Cena said Ryback stands for one thing – destruction. Cena said the face of the WWE will change this Sunday. Punk with Paul Heyman came out, Punk said he has done everything he said he was going to do. He bragged about being WWE Champion for 337 days & that he is the best in the world. Punk promised he will walk out of Hell In A Cell as WWE Champion. Punk said he likes Cena’s role as Ryback’s cheerleader & that Cena realized that he can’t beat Punk. Cena said it’s not that he can’t beat Punk , it’s that he wasn’t allowed. Cena said he is now officially medically cleared & wanted to whoop Punk tonight, Punk made his way to the ring climbed onto the ring apron, Heyman talked Punk out of getting in the ring with Cena.
Antonio Cesaro vs Justin Gabriel, Gabriel wins.
Mr. McMahon & AJ arrived in a limo, AJ didn’t look happy.
Mr. McMahon & AJ in the ring. McMahon said AJ had a meeting with the Board of Directors about her tenure as Raw GM. McMahon let AJ tell the results of the meeting. AJ said because of allegations that she had been fraternizing with a member of the Raw roster, she is resigning as GM. AJ said the allegations are false. AJ said some of her decisions may have been unorthodox & some people thinks she is unstable but she thinks some people just like crazy chicks. AJ talked about growing up just 15 minutes from the arena & that she had gone from being homeless to the boss, she thought she was always going to be a poor girl. AJ thanked the fans & Mr. McMahon. Heyman came down to the ring, he wanted McMahon to name him as the new GM of Raw, McMahon told him no. McMahon introduced Vickie Guerrero as the new Managing Supervisor of Raw. Heyman asked Vickie to undo McMahon decision of putting Ryback in the Hell In A Cell match against CM Punk. Vickie said Ryback is still going to face Punk at Hell In A Cell, & she booked Punk for the nights main event against Sheamus in the largest Lumberjack match in WWE history. Vickie said she knew all along that AJ wasn’t fit to be Raw GM. Vickie said AJ had an affair with a member of the Raw roster. Vickie ordered AJ to leave & go to the back & pack her bags. Vickie kept running her mouth & AJ pounced on Vickie & they brawled.
Ryback vs The Miz. Ryback wins.
Kaitlyn confront Eve backstage, she said she has proof that Eve was the one behind the attack on her. They get into a brawl & Layla came by & got involved until referees broke it up.
Daniel Bryan vs Dolph Ziggler, Kane came down to ringside. Kane got the crowd chanting YES! Bryan didn’t like it & chanted NO! Bryan got distracted, Ziggler attacked Bryan from behind & Ziggler got the win.After the match Kane & Bryan argued, Matt Striker came out & announced that Vickie booked them in a therapeutic game show against Team Rhodes Scholars & Strike was going to be the host. Striker had Bryan & Kane introduce themselves & they argued until Team Rhodes Scholars came out to the stage & said they would not take part in the game show. Striker announced Team Hell No as the winners do to forfeit. Striker headed up the ramp to the stage & said he doesn’t wish Team Hell No luck at Hell In A Cell. Big Show came out & grabbed Striker & tossed him across the stage.
Big Show vs Kane, Big Show wins. after the match Team Rhodes Scholars attack Team Hell No.
Cena came up to AJ backstage & told her to asked if there is anything he could do. AJ mentioned that Vickie said she had an affair & the person that the allegation of an affair is with is Cena. Cena said all we had was a business dinner. Cena said he will take care of it. Cena told McMahon that nothing happened between him & AJ – that it was just a business dinner.
Alberto Del Rio vs Zack Ryder, Del Rio wins.
Cena confronted Vickie backstage & called her a liar. Vickie said Cena’s girlfriend AJ can’t keep business from pleasure. Cena said it was just a business dinner. Vickie said Cena asked AJ out on Raw, went out with her & now AJ got what she deserved. Vickie said Cena cost AJ her job.
Punk & Heyman are backstage, Punk isn’t happy with the main event match & that he already misses AJ. Heyman told him not to worry about her. Heyman said that next Monday people are going to have to face the fact that Punk has defeated Ryback at Hell In A Cell.
Lumberjack Match: CM Punk vs Sheamus, Big Show choked slammed Sheamus which allowed Punk to get the win. After the match Ryback came to the ring Punk tried to leave but the lumberjacks threw him back in the ring Ryback slammed Punk. Punk tried to leave again but the lumberjacks threw him back in & Ryback slammed him again, Punk tried to escape again but was tossed back in the ring, Ryback pressed him over his head & tossed him out of the ring.
