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Rumors are swirling that WWE is interested in regaining the services of the Straight Edge Superstar. But is this a good choice for the WWE, or a bad one?
Phillip Jack Boots--better known to the world as the Straight Edge Superstar CM Punk--stepped away from the wrestling business a few years ago, and for a long time it seemed like he meant it.
The only thing he ever mentioned about a possible return were some cryptic comments he made just before his UFC debut. In the interview, CM Punk said that if he ever returned to wrestling it would be a small independent show, he wouldn't be advertised, and he would show up in a 'f'n Ninja mask' so no one would recognize him.
Most of the people who heard this at the time believed that CM Punk was just ribbing his old profession. Imagine how surprised they must have been when his words proved to be a self fulfilling prophecy.
CM Punk did indeed return to the squared circle for his friend Silas Young's promotion. And he did it under a ninja mask, and without being advertised, just as he said he would.
The pro wrestling word took notice, including the WWE. Rumors have it that the world's largest sports entertainment company is looking to procure the services of CM Punk once again.
The question is, should they? CM Punk is a major star, but signing him would come with certain caveats. Here are three ways rehiring CM Punk could help the WWE, and three ways it could hurt them.
#1 Could help the WWE : His name recognition will drive fan's interest.
It's hard to express just how much appeal CM Punk has across the spectrum in pro wrestling fandom.
Unlike men like John Cena, who primarily appeal to youngsters and women, CM Punk appeals to many different demographics. That kind of universal appeal is what leads to fans chanting his name in arenas even though they know he's not on the card, and in fact has not worked for the company in years.
CM Punk's status with wrestling fans means that they will likely follow him wherever he goes, including if he returns to the WWE.
#1 Could hurt the WWE : Punk's MMA losses hurt his tough guy image.
When CM Punk first made his debut for the short-lived WWE revival of Extreme Championship Wrestling, he certainly looked the part of an ECW wrestler. Even better, he seemed to walk the walk as well as talk the talk. Punk claimed to be a 'master' of Muay Thai and Gracie Ju Jitsu.
This led to his using a lot of strikes against his opponents, and his Anaconda Vice submission hold. He also borrowed the Go to Sleep from Hideo Itami. Part of Punk's appeal was the fact that he was considered to be a legitimate 'bad ass' street fighter.
This image would hold for most of Punk's wrestling career. However, when he stepped into the Octagon for his first MMA fight, his lack of experience was woefully apparent.
Now that he can no longer push the tough guy card, he may have hurt his credibility with fans and prove to be a detriment to the WWE.
#2 Could Help the WWE : Win or Lose, just fighting in the UFC proves he's tough.
While it is without a shadow of a doubt true that CM Punk's Mixed martial Arts career has ended in two straight losses, it doesn't necessarily mean it reflects badly on him in wrestling.
After all, the courage and toughness it takes just to contemplate fighting in a mixed martial arts contest makes CM Punk stand out far in front of normal people. He may not have been as dominant as Brock Lesnar, or even as moderately successful on a smaller stage as Bobby Lashely, but CM Punk still stepped into the cage and fought his best fight.
In particular, his second bout is worthy of praise because he went the distance against a skilled journeyman MMA competitor. At his age, and considering the injuries he's accumulated over the course of his storied career, CM Punk is to be praised for fighting in the UFC. That toughness will carry over into his WWE character if he chooses to return.
#2 Could hurt the WWE : CM Punk rubs many superstars the wrong way.
No matter how talented you are, not being able to get along with your co-workers is a huge problem.
Human beings are social creatures, and naturally interact with one another. In the wrestling business, where the health and safety of your colleagues is of the utmost importance, it becomes particularly profound.
There's a list as long as your arm of pro wrestlers CM Punk has upset over the course of his career. He once had a heated argument with The Undertaker.
Not to mention his long standing grudge against WWE upper management. Hiring CM Punk back to the WWE may cause a lot of chaos back stage and might not be the right move for the WWE.
#3 Could Help the WWE : Keeping him out of All Elite Wrestling.
For the first time in almost two decades, the WWE is facing serious competition for the lucrative North American pro wrestling marketplace.
In a chilly Tokyo, Japan, the Elite strode out on January 1st 2019 to announce the formation of their own wrestling promotion, All Elite Wrestling. Building on the success of their independent wrestling show All In, the former Bullet Club members decided to take things to the next level.
With AEW looming as a potential rival, the WWE must do all it can to keep CM Punk out of their hands, and off of their roster. He represents a huge playing piece in the game of sports entertainment, and it might be worth the trouble of rehiring him just to keep him out of AEW.
#3 Might Hurt the WWE : CM Punk could demand a similar schedule to Brock Lesnar, and present the same problems.
CM Punk truly is a cult of personality, and remains one of the most popular pro wrestlers in history despite the fact that he's been 'retired' from sports entertainment for years.
Given his name recognition, his mass media appeal--spurred on by his Ultimate Fighting bouts, even though he lost both times--and the fact that his loyal fans constantly chant his name at WWE arenas, CM Punk is in a great place to negotiate with the WWE. Factor in the threat of All Elite Wrestling and you have quite the upper hand for Punk when it comes to his contract.
He might want to work limited dates just like Brock Lesnar, and that could spell trouble. While television and PPV are still essential, the WWE makes a lot of money on house shows. Without Punk wrestling in these 'dark matches' they could lose out on revenue, not to mention frustrate their fan base.
There you have it: Three ways rehiring CM Punk could hurt the WWE, and three ways it might help them. Do you think WWE should get Punk back under contract? Please comment and let us know, and as always thanks for reading!
