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Yes, someone finally said it. CM Punk should not win the 2020 Royal Rumble. If you are among the very few who agree with this statement, please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below. If, however, you read the title and clicked this article out of rage, I apologize in advance. Please bear with me as I try to back up my statement.
It's been well over a month since CM Punk made his surprising return to WWE programming, albeit as an analyst for FOX on WWE Backstage. While fans couldn't have been happier to see him back on their screens, the question on everyone's mind was - will we see him back inside the ring?
The Royal Rumble is right around the corner, and despite not being an active wrestler, Punk is one of the favorites to win it all. Many fans are even hitting Punk up on social media, asking about a potential return:
The former WWE Champion did reply and said that he will not be participating in the Royal Rumble. Instead, he'll talk about it on FOX.
That doesn't mean there's a zero percent chance of that happening, as WWE would want to keep his return a big surprise. The choice of CM Punk winning the Royal Rumble does sound interesting at first, but it comes with several demerits of its own. Let's take a look at five of them here.
#5 Too soon to make a return?
The news of CM Punk returning to WWE programming was easily one of the biggest surprises fans received this year. In one of his appearances on the show, Renee Young was quick to ask whether we'll ever see him back in the ring? Interestingly, 'The Straight Edge Superstar' didn't outright decline the chance of that happening, but mentioned how it would take time to build bridges.
If Punk does return at the Rumble, it would be an indication that things were clearly planned in advance by the company. The WWE Universe might think Punk returned because Vince McMahon offered him a Rumble victory and his long-desired WrestleMania main event. The fans could react negatively toward that, as Punk is supposed to be 'The Voice of the Voiceless,' and can't just sell out to Vince McMahon for his own benefit. CM Punk fans would expect him to be honest with them about a potential return. If you remember, he admitted to having to audition for WWE Backstage with FOX, so an obvious behind the scenes deal to return might rub some fans the wrong way.
Now don't get me wrong, I want him to return to the ring as much as any of you do, but let there be a proper reason that brings him back to the ring. I believe the bigger question is not when will CM Punk return, but what will cause him to come back to WWE.
#4 Won't fit in the current World Title scenario
Let's consider a situation where CM Punk enters the Royal Rumble as a surprise entrant and ends up winning. Initially, the entire WWE Universe would be excited to see their favorite Superstar headline WrestleMania. The question is - where would CM Punk fit in the current World Title scenario?
Currently, 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt is the Universal Champion on SmackDown, and Brock Lesnar is the WWE Champion on RAW. Who will Punk challenge and why? Moreover, what would be the outcome and narrative of the storyline?
Bray Wyatt has been the hottest act in all of sports entertainment for several months now. Putting him up against a returning Punk would not be a good idea as many fans would end up complaining, no matter who wins. WWE can't let Punk lose his World Title match at WrestleMania at any cost, but they also can't let The Fiend lose his first WrestleMania match either, right?
On the other hand, Punk going up against Brock Lesnar does sound like a better feud, as the two have quite the history. But again, it would come out of nowhere with little to no build. With Punk appearing on WWE Backstage and giving his unbiased opinion on different feuds, his storylines should have more of a reality factor. If CM Punk went after the client of the person (Paul Heyman) he calls one of his very best friends in the business, wrestling fans in 2020 would find that difficult to believe.
More than that, if 'The Best in the World' challenges Lesnar, he will appear on the Red Brand, and a certain RAW Superstar has been regularly poking at CM Punk. What happens to him?
#3 The Seth Rollins story line
Ever since CM Punk made his return to WWE Backstage last month, if there's one guy who has been prompting him to return to a wrestling ring, it is Seth Rollins. The former Universal Champion has openly expressed his desire to have a match with CM Punk at WrestleMania. His recent heel turn makes him the perfect opponent for 'The Best in the World,' and if anyone can prompt CM Punk to make an in-ring return, it's Seth Rollins.
As mentioned in the previous slide, the only logical option for Punk to challenge would be Brock Lesnar and even that potential matchup has flaws. WWE has been making an earnest attempt to give a touch of reality to its storylines, but Punk going after Lesnar while fellow RAW Superstar Seth Rollins feuds with someone else would be absurd.
Imagine CM Punk making his grand return at the Royal Rumble, only for Seth Rollins to eliminate him with some cheap tricks. Remember, in Punk's last appearance in a WWE ring, something similar happened when Kane eliminated him from the 2014 Royal Rumble. Something similar could lead to an enraged Punk destroying Rollins, and build toward a massive clash at WrestleMania. This would be a better and more believable storyline.
#2 He'll probably be a part-timer
If CM Punk does return at the Royal Rumble, he will end up winning it - hands down - unless WWE plans to provide us with a major swerve. He might also go on to dethrone Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania to become the WWE Champion, but let's take a moment to realize why so much of the WWE Universe doesn't approve of Lesnar as champion in the first place.
No points for guessing, it is because of Lesnar's limited appearances as he only shows up on major occasions and events, while often missing PPVs like TLC. Will having CM Punk dethrone him solve that issue? Mind you, CM Punk is 41 years old and hasn't had a wrestling match in nearly 6 years. There is a high probability that CM Punk might just become another part-timer who shows up for major events and PPVs only.
When 'The Beast Incarnate' broke CM Punk's famous 434-day World Title reign, fans instantly began comparing the two. However, there was a huge difference and that was in the number of times each Superstar defended their title. CM Punk was a fighting champion that defended the WWE Championship with regularity, but Lesnar - not so much.
It would be heartbreaking to see CM Punk return, only to become that kind of champion.
#1 There are more deserving Superstars
Finally, the biggest problem with CM Punk returning and winning the Royal Rumble is that it will take away another opportunity from younger and more deserving Superstars who have worked hard to establish themselves.
While CM Punk returning and winning the Royal Rumble would be a dream comeback for the Chicago chap, it would deny an opportunity to someone like Kevin Owens, who has been making his way back to the top of the mountain and would benefit hugely from a Royal Rumble victory. Even someone like Drew McIntyre deserves a major push for all the hard work that he has put since his return to the company. They need this win more than CM Punk does!
Ultimately, it comes to the point which many fans have raised heavily in the last few years - WWE should focus on the future and try to build more top Superstars who can carry the baton forward. NXT has been successfully doing that and in turn, is getting praise and admiration from fans. From what we know of Punk, he loves the business and wants to see it succeed and I'm sure he would agree with this point himself!
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