CM Punk: Heel or Face?

[kingrko]

For some insane, stupid reason I posted this in the PPV discussion section. But hey, it's my first time posting threads, so I don't really know what the Hell I'm doing. Oh well. Anyway, CM Punk, do you like like him or hate him. Or maybe you love to hate him, which I guess is the same thing. Myself, I'm a Punk fan, and he's fairly over with the crowd. Keyword there is "fairly" you cannot be fairly over with the crowd, whether in the form of adoration or hate, and win a World Title after cashing in MITB. Punk probably won't ever be over enough with the crowd as a face to win one of the World Titles, so I predict he'll be heel. I've heard, quite frequently, that Punk would be awesome as a heel. So the way I see it, Punk+ Heel = (Hated) World Champion.

Now it's your guys's turn, so lay it all out there.

Struck With Finalty

 

[MasterDebator]

I would say heel at this point. He has been uninspiring, especially since he received the MITB briefcase, something that he should've been able to use to elevate himself. He's fallen so far that at this point, if Punk was to cash in his shot it wouldn't be buyable. Hopefully the move to raw and a fresh start as possibly a heel will do something for him. He also needs a fresh feud, something that should come right to him with this move to raw. I personally would've had him go to SD but with all of the potential stars on SD now, Raw is the place to be for him. Here's hoping they have something fresh planned for Punk so he can get on the right track.

Also, it'd be nice to hear him use his mic skills every once in a while. He rarely speaks, and in the WWE, in ring talent + mic skills usually equals time to display both. That needs to change. With rumors of a possible heel stable rolling around, I was thinking he'd be perfect for a team up with Jericho and Cade since their new "schtick" is that they are "honest" men, unlike the rest of us. Punk's well documented straight-edge lifestlye could fit in nicely with that philosophy. Heel turn plus teaming with a star in Jericho and someone who is in line for a push like Cade could work out great for him.

 

[HellBoundPower]

I would love to see Punk turn heel. He really needs it, because his face character has just become generic and boring. I'm a big Punk fan, but even I can see the fan reaction dwindling everytime he comes out. Comparing how over he was a year ago compared to now, it's almost ridiculous. I don't know how he could lose to much fanfare in such a short amount of time, but he managed somehow.

I think a Punk heel turn would be good for all parties involved. Punk has always worked better as a heel, seeing as it fits his real life personality more to be hated than loved. I really think he should turn heel soon. Maybe get some heat by cashing in Money in the Bank on Triple H when he's down, and bringing the WWE Title back to Raw. Anything to get him some heat and get him over as a legitimate heel.

I also like MasterDebator's idea of putting him in the heel stable with Jericho and Cade. I could see that stable going places. Punk's straight-edge lifestyle would fit in perfectly with them, and I think they could end up being a legit power on Raw. I would love to see Punk get a megapush as a heel, and reign on top of Raw (at least until Orton gets back).

 

[TheOneBigWill]

C.M. Punk needs to turn heel, its the only way I see his career being saved. Even then hes still overly average in the ring.

I don't get it either. The guy was a big hit on the indy scene, and he seemed remotely good when he first came into the W.W.E. (probably the hype) But since then, hes just plain, average, and its hard to sit through an entire Punk match.

If he turns heel, I'm hoping he'll enlist a couple new heelish moves to help him along. I like the G.T.S., and I'm glad he moved away from his submission finisher, as I didn't care much for it. But all in all, I think he needs to start thinking of yet another finisher as well.

I know it'd be a serious downgrade, but I'd love to see C.M. Punk join Ted Dibiase & Cody Rhodes. Hell, if he truly wanted he could remotely lead them for all I care, just put the guy in a group and turn him heel.

 

[Davi323]

The only danger I see with turning CM Punk heel would be because of Punk's no drinking, no drugs, clean lifestyle. To turn him heel, they would almost have to start mocking him for things that really people should be applauding him for. I don't see how they could turn him heel and leave the "straight edge" stuff completely alone. A heel Punk would be mocked for actually having real life convictions. I don't know how appropriate that would be. Vince has been using CM Punk on Larry King and whatever as an example of a WWE Superstar who exemplifies the merits of the Wellness policy...its a lot easier to do that with Punk as a face. I do think something has to be done with his character, I am just not convinced as to how they could do it.

 

[tehblogger]

Of course Punk has to be heel. I'm amazed he hasn't turned already. In all honesty, giving MITB to faces is a dumb idea because the whole cash-it-in-whenever-you-want scenario is so obviously made for heels. Look at Edge's 2 cash-ins: legendary drama. Why they were planning to give MITB to Hardy foxes me. He's been booked so strong so that it doesn't need MITB for a Hardy title reign to be credible. Once Hardy screwed up MITB should have gone to Morrison: a young heel who's been booked solidly, but not so strongly that he doesn't need MITB to help him move up a level.

Anyway, seeing as Punk has got the briefcase, I agree with both the above ideas of turning him heel and also of getting him into the developing Cade/Jericho stable. That could be quite promising: a heel stable consisting of Mr MITB, Jericho, and Cade as IC champion. It might restore some of Punk's credibility and get him into a position to actually cash in the briefcase. At the moment he's nowhere near. And yes, a new finisher would help - the GTS is awful. I don't think Punk's a bad wrestler, but he needs to return to what - for him - is a more natural moveset, and cut out his current lame gimmick.

That's assuming they want Punk to cash MITB in anyway. They may not do, or, if they do, they may not plan for him to win. Logically, the holder of MITB is the most important person there is after the WWE champ and WHC champ, but Punk has been booked so weakly that the obvious conclusion is that he's only holding it for someone else. But who? Hardy surely doesn't need it.

 

[fiasco28]

first of all kid, this is your first time posting, but it happens to be a good one, yo so im gonna give a good response, yo i really think cm punk has potential to succeed as a heel or face, if the creative team and wwe realizes his worth, he can be good. put him as a heel tho, let him continue to display his decent mic skills, and pit him off against the likes of triple h, undertaker, john cena, i think especially seeing him vs triple h and undertaker as a heel would be appealing, or keep him as face and have him go against somebody like edge, i would really like to see them two face off, but cm punk is a gem to me, everything about him is unique, and if the wwe gets their heads right, they will used him and build him up to main event status.

 

[Gifted Music]

CM Punk is a natural heel.. Watch some of his ROH tapes.. The guy just comes off so smooth when he's a heel.. I can't stand listening to him as a face because he sounds so forced and unnatural... I would love to see a CM Punk/Triple H feud with Punk as a heel.. I dunno why but I remember a comment CM Punk made just before going to WWE.. An interviewer called him the "Triple H of the independants" and Punk just laughed and said "I'd like to think Triple H is the CM Punk of the WWE"... THATS the kinda cockiness and arrogance I want and could see outta CM Punk.

CM Punk, before WWE, was mostly a heel in ROH, and a damn good one.. His matches with Samoa Joe, Raven, AJ Styles, etc. Are legendary.. CM Punk had a few good matches with John Morrison but for the most part, his WWE matches have become bland and boring.. He needs to be a heel to spice his career up otherwise he'll be just another Matt Hardy, Christian, and Carlito..He'll get a couple decent sized pushes, maybe even win a secondary title, but he'll never be considered for the top championship on Raw OR Smackdown(I refuse to acknowledge the ECW Title as a "Top" Championship now that Mark Henry has it)

 

[RBH]

CM Punk would make a good heel. He could pull off the "I am better than you act" and really talk down to the crowd and to all the wrestlers. With his real life status as straight edge he could frown upon some wrestlers habits and pick on the divas. That would generate some heel heat. If they had continued Cena's fling with Mickie instead of dropping it like a hot potato, then CM could have called Cena disgrace to children as a role model and challenged his manhood. Then we could see CM playing a scared heel, he could really learn a thing or two from Edge about that. But I do believe it is time for CM to be heel because his face character is not working. He seems so generic and boring lately that I barely pay attention to him.

 

[FINLAYFAN777]

Judging off the comments of CM Punk in his post HWC win he is a face. Also the way Cena really talked him up and showed respect, he is face. CM Punk is great, I love him but that might have a little to do with seeing his first ECW match. I hope he really gains a reputation for himself. What do you guys see in his future?

 

[DeadmanInc.]

CM Punk HAS to become heel. I've seen his RoH stuff and it's amazing. His straight edge lifestyle can be used as a heel quite well. He's done it before, he can do it again. Punk as a face is just so generic and bland. There's nothing that sets him apart from the rest. That's why I still can't accept him as WHC. The way he cashed in Money in the Bank was something a heel like Edge would do. A face would cash it in the way RVD did.

He also needs to use more of his RoH moves. I know they can't use the Pepsi Plunge but the Anaconda Vice is perfect for a heel.

 

[Theo Mays]

I think they should start Punk's WHC title run as a face, and then when he wins over the likes of Raw's top faces (Cena, Batista, etc...) he turns on them, this gives him some instant heel heat and then continue his run as a heel. I think that could work. I mean, you get him over with the fans, through the help of Cena and Batista, then BOOM, he turns on them, and can join the likes of Orton, Jericho, JBL, etc... That gets him some instant heel heat and then he can rub his lifestyle in everyone's face. Just a thought.

 

[gnr_801]

I think he's great as a face. Why? Because of the awesome crowd reaction he had going yesterday at the main event. Turning him heel would be a huge mistake, he's hot right now!

 

[Miko]

I would prefer Punk as a heel, I've only ever seen him heel once and that was in his first match against Val Venis on RAW and I didnt think it was bad, I just find him extremely bland as a face. So a heel turn just to keep the guy interesting.

 

[Skullz Crack'Em]

CM Punk would make a great heel, like he did before his time with the WWE, but it doesn't matter what suits him more, it is about what will make the WWE more money. At this moment, CM Punk is better off remaining a face because he is very marketable, his Straight-Edge beliefs will leave a great impression on the younger fans which is something Vince desperately needs. The last thing Vince wants is another steriod investigation, or parents complaining about the violence WWE promotes, CM Punk is "Vince's Secret Weapon" where he leaves a good taste in parents' mouths with his clean lifestyle, which equals less complaints to the WWE. I still believe that is the only reason why Punk is the World Champion right now.

 

[Dead Kennedy]

CM Punk is just horrible as a face. Not many people CAN'T work as a face, but he manages to fail horribly at it. Of course, seeing how fantastic he was as a heel in ROH didn't help either. From day one, I haven't liked Punk's gimmick in WWE. I really can't put my finger on it...but he's a shadow of who he was in ROH.

 

[My$terio_Fan]

Punk would make a better heel but so would everyone. It seems heels are alot more liked in the IWC(orton, Edge) and that everyone wants people to turn heel(Cena, Batista, HHH). The reason why face's tend to get boring following the rules and being the good guys. As a heel you seem to have more personality and have more reaction. Face Punk is good, he gets some reaction, but has come stale. Turning Punk heel would give him an extra boost and give his character another layer. Also using his "straightedge" lifestyle as a negative would probably get some heat, and Punk seems more confident on the mic as a heel(ROH).

 

[timostag]

I think it all depends on how much merchandise you sell as a face, HHH has said he wants to play a heel again but I can't see wwe doing that as he sells so much merchandise at the moment and if he turned heel that would kill his sales. Personally i've never really like CM Punk so i don't care eitherway so long as he loses the belt ASAP

 

[King of Kings HHH]

Punk is 100% a face. Did anyone see how he talked to Jericho about what he did to HBK's wife. He was talking like a face 100%. Punk would be a really good face if he can hold the title longer and take out JBL. Not to many people like JBL anymore and he is annoying as fuk

 

[MasterDebator]

Punk is 100% a face. Did anyone see how he talked to Jericho about what he did to HBK's wife. He was talking like a face 100%. Punk would be a really good face if he can hold the title longer and take out JBL. Not to many people like JBL anymore and he is annoying as fuk

You could argue that his straight edge lifestyle could help him to be better heel as well, for instance, by boasting about how much o a better person he is than his opponent, the fans, etc... much like what Jericho used during the early stages of his HBK feud. Personally, I think Punk works better as a face (even though a heel turn down the road is intriguing).

 

[Mr. TM]

Punk is getting a little old every week being the Face. Fans have a harder time connecting with him being a face. He turns heel, and He is hated! He has the perfect Character to make anyone hate him. He is arrogant about his lifestyle as a heel, and people hate that. Raw already has a lot of Heels though like Jericho, Kane, and JBL. Batista has already went against Punk, and it was lame. Cena vs Punk doesnt excite me. The only man on Raw that could put up a great feud is with Shawn Michaels. The problem with that is, 1.) He does not need to be in the main event picture, 2.) He probably wouldn't want to, 3.) They have similar lifestyles now.

Punk should go to Smackdown!

 

[RVDgurl]

I am a huge fan of Punk and I have been waiting patiently since his arrival in the WWE for a true heel turn. The WWE attempted it a year or so ago by aligning Punk with the New Breed instead of the ECW originals. That segment had a great reaction from the crowb, but then 2 weeks later, he was face again. It is a shame that the WWE never followed through with that storyline. Punk has been fairly successful as a face, but he is golden as a heel. THe work he did in ROH as a heel was spectatulor. Before he loses steam as the champion, the WWE needs to freshen up Punk's character and let him do what he does best: make people hate him.

 

[Lee]

I think a heel move will be coming soon, he gave an interview in the metro newspaper last week and said he wanted to be a heel, as WWE fans hadn't seen him in that role properly (or something to that effect). That I agree, the very brief bit I have seen of him as heel in ROH was brilliant, it's just a shame that his ECW run as heel lasted only two weeks...we'll see.

 

[Minor League Brian]

I'm with the majority that want Punk to turn Heel, but in the minority (I assume) as to why.

Personally, I've never seen Punk's Indy work. Actually, I've never seen any real indy work. Far too lazy to search it up on Youtube or whatever to find it. The reason I want him heel is strictly because of his Gimmick. In all honesty, the only time you really realize someones straightedge is when they're trying to show off, or act as if they're better then you. Besides that, you really don't know they're straightedge.

Basically what I'm saying is that when you think of a Starightedge person, you think obnoxious "holier then though" attitude, ya know? I'm not trying to bash the straightedge individuals, but people who flaunt it around always give off that impression and the people who don't; well you don't really know they're Straightedge till your in that situation. Basically, that leaves CM Punk without a real "gimmick" because flaunting that around heavily will only aggravate people from hearing it over and over again. I just think his whole "thing" would work so much better as a Heel, and seriously; his face work right now isn't getting him any real brownie points as is and hasn't for quite a while. People haven't been white hot for him in ages, and that's sad.

 

[TJF]

his ROH heel work was great. But i think now with the WWE doing all this building him up to not be a transitional champion I dont see a heel turn comming. This too since Raw has too many heels as it is right now.

i think if you going to turn punk heel you have to get the belt off him first