CM Punk hits a fan

[Nada]

It does not matter what we, in the IWC think, nor does it really matter what CM Punk or this particular fan think, everyone has a story and a excuse for these types of the things.

The stuff that does matter however is that various media outlets have taken this story and ran with it, pushing the whole "wrestlers are drugged maniacs, its why Benoit killed his family" type of bullshit, and you can bet your ass WWE will notice, they do not want bad PR no matter what, people were fired for far less (granted they werent real stars or WWE champions).

It does not matter that Punk is straight edge and is not on 'roids, the media does not give a shit, it is a story that will get people interested "Wrestler attacks fan!!!" and memories of Benoit and his acts will come back (Granted this is nowhere near as bad as that was for obvious reasons).

Everything seems to be falling apart here, super low ratings 2.5 for RAW last week, Vince is pissed, Brian is fired. I just hope the company can withhold this bad period and whether the storm or is this simply the effect of having a 3 hour RAW on a weekly basis, people were burned out before this 3 hour thing came about, now they are simply done, and we see the effect of that.

There is so much footage available of this, that the fan will likely press charges, which quite frankly, he should. He will likely get compensated somehow by WWE and CM Punk.

 

[Ryberg]

People are crazy if they thing Punk is getting fired for this incident. WWE will say he was provoked, that there was contact from the fan prior to the "assault", and that Punk's actions were somewhat justified. Then they'll pay the fan a bunch of money, give him a bunch of stuff, and make Punk formally apologize. End of story. There's no way that the WWE champion for 320+ days, who is primed to face Cena at the next PPV, with interactions with Ryback and even Austin being teased, is getting fired because of an off camera incident. Linda or no Linda.

And that's all assuming this isn't a work, which I haven't fully ruled out either.

If Randy Orton can fail countless drug tests and not get fired, there is NO WAY Punk is getting the boot over this. Maybe "Anger Management" and form the Straight Hell No stable (kidding)

But there's always some type of incident with fans, and unless there is a safe zone around the ring, it will happen again eventually with someone else. The guy can sue all he wants, it won't go anywhere.

 

[JaylisJayP]

The video shows exactly what happened, and it was just a little nudge and probably wasn't intentional by anyone involved. Sucks for the guy who got the crap kicked out of him by Punk, but he'll get a good story out of it.

Also sucks that one of the best Raws this year was overshadowed by this.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

On an addendum to this, more than 12 hours on and nothing on either the WWE site or even TMZ. If this was legit than TMZ would be all over it and WWE would have had to have put out a statement by now, even if it was "suspending Punk" pending investigations as it could affect their stock price.

 

[JaylisJayP]

From the looks of things, it seems like Punk had a pretty damn good reason to hit the guy. He's just doing his job and audience members keep feeling the need to shove him, touch him, and hit him in the back of the head. The latest video makes him seem completely justified in his retaliation.

Now, from a legal standpoint, I believe that this is still considered aggravated assault. Unless 100% self-defense is being used as the only means for Punk to have protected himself from the guy who was hitting him, his reaction, the shot to the face, and the follow-up shot is going to be aggravated assault. That kid is going to make some bank and I think they're going to settle outside of court. I highly doubt Punk's status will be effected by it.

C'mon man, you run up through the stands into the crowd and STAY there at the end of a huge, emotionally charged main event, you're going to get touched, period. Be prepared for it. Hell, wrestlers get touched and patted on the back when they get too close to the crowd in the front row during a match.

Hard to tell what was going through Punk's head, though. I wonder what Cena would've done in that spot

 

[philipk2011]

NEITHER the Lesnar shirt kid OR the bald guy provoked Punk physically in any way.

Really? Did you even watch the video you posted? The kid in the Lesnar t-shirt clearly pushes him aggressively. Not making excuse for Punk but he does get slapped in the head and I'd have the same reaction but unfortunately he got the wrong guy, it's clearly the guy just behind the guy that gets hit, wearing the white top and giving Punk the finger. End of the day Punk is only human, with the same rights as everyone and no one has the right to put their hands on him.

 

[IrishCanadian25]

1. No chance it's a work. With Linda McMahon's Senate race winding down, do you really think they want the democratic oppponents attacking her with TMZ headlines "Employee of Linda McMahon's 'Entertainment' Company Assaults Fan on Live TV?"

2. This is a problem. Even if Punk could show he was provoked, this is a PR nightmare, and the fan is gonna hit the bank to collect some McMoney.

3. This could go either way for Punk. it could help him by giving him some legit heel cred, but at the same time, it could also hurt him. John Cena gets a lot of support and time because Vince has learned to trust him with the business. This calls into question whether Punk can be trusted with this big of a role. The likelihood of a title change at HIAC just increased.

 

[DJS92491]

Look, I understand fining Punk for what he did, but firing him? Really? He didn't run someone over with a car, he punched a guy in the face. If you've seen a picture of his face he looks perfectly fine besides some obvious swelling that comes from being punched in the face.

Basically, stop being overdramatic. You're making yourself look like an idiot if you think he should be fired.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

It does not matter what we, in the IWC think, nor does it really matter what CM Punk or this particular fan think, everyone has a story and a excuse for these types of the things.

The stuff that does matter however is that various media outlets have taken this story and ran with it, pushing the whole "wrestlers are drugged maniacs, its why Benoit killed his family" type of bullshit, and you can bet your ass WWE will notice, they do not want bad PR no matter what, people were fired for far less (granted they werent real stars or WWE champions).

It does not matter that Punk is straight edge and is not on 'roids, the media does not give a shit, it is a story that will get people interested "Wrestler attacks fan!!!" and memories of Benoit and his acts will come back (Granted this is nowhere near as bad as that was for obvious reasons).

Everything seems to be falling apart here, super low ratings 2.5 for RAW last week, Vince is pissed, Brian is fired. I just hope the company can withhold this bad period and whether the storm or is this simply the effect of having a 3 hour RAW on a weekly basis, people were burned out before this 3 hour thing came about, now they are simply done, and we see the effect of that.

There is so much footage available of this, that the fan will likely press charges, which quite frankly, he should. He will likely get compensated somehow by WWE and CM Punk.

There is no way the fan is blameless here, Punk turned round twice to warn people not to touch him. After that point anyone who does so is fair game to be hit as they have been fairly warned. It could be that the elbow was unintentional, but it still happened. We had a legal case in the UK about Steven Gerrrard over this very thing. He was was acquitted despite being on film hitting the guy and was judged to have been defending himself.

At worst the 2nd push was excessive, but that the "fan" is already on twitter with his picture moaning about his sunglasses (if that's him) shows the level of it. This happens all the time when people run to the ring, they get hit, ejected end of story. Once a wrestler is in their vicinity, if you touch them uninvited (as opposed to hand slapping etc) then you have endagered them... after all Punk doesn't know if the next hit is with an object, a knife or substance...

IF this is legit, WWE has already made a major mistake by not making a statement already admitting it's failure to protect Punk. When Jericho was suspended it was within 2-3 hours.

 

[oneleggedman]

I would like to echo the sentiments of some of the other fans here by saying I too am a BIG fan of Punk.

But, it is clearly shown in the recent video that he hit an innocent bystander and, like others have said, he was being very aggressive with nearby fans. Personally, I think his massive ego got the better of him, and whilst thinking he was back in the territory days getting jumped by fans was acting out at the fans he so clearly wants to hate him.

He needs to stand up and accept the responsibility for his actions.

WWE will bail him out of this, but I hope his conscience gets the better of him.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

All I know is that the Zabruder film didn't get this level of meticulous analysis (back and to the left, back and to the left).

I can't tell much from the video. The cameraman seemed to be more focused on Punk's ass and crotch than the actually goings on. All I do know is that no one was in the right. The WWE should not have sent their number one heel unescorted in to the crowd. Especially not after an intensely emotional fight. The fans are clearly in the wrong when they touch the talent unprovoked whether it is out of appreciation, nuisance or violence. Finally CM Punk is the most in the wrong. There was no reason for him to lash out witht that level of force. He is supposed to be the professional, he should know what he is getting in to when he leaves ringside. This is the same guy who basically crowd surfed after his MiTB win.

In the end I think this will cost the WWE some money and CM Punk will lose some standing in the company but who knows, again everyone in the situation is in the wrong.

Was Roger McDowell anywhere near CM Punk at the time of the incident?

 

[DJS92491]

I would like to echo the sentiments of some of the other fans here by saying I too am a BIG fan of Punk.

But, it is clearly shown in the recent video that he hit an innocent bystander and, like others have said, he was being very aggressive with nearby fans. Personally, I think his massive ego got the better of him, and whilst thinking he was back in the territory days getting jumped by fans was acting out at the fans he so clearly wants to hate him.

He needs to stand up and accept the responsibility for his actions.

WWE will bail him out of this, but I hope his conscience gets the better of him.

Sorry for singling you out, but the order of the blame goes as followed.

1. Vince McMahon passing the segment allowing WWE's biggest heel to escape into the crowd.

2. Security's inability to escort Punk and protect the fans.

3. CM Punk for striking the fan.


CM Punk is a standup guy, and he'll definitely make it up to the fan. He signed over a six figure check to Joey Mercury when his house was facing foreclosure. This will be smoothed out more quickly than you all think.

 

[Akhilleus]

I've seen the video. CM Punk was getting pushed and slap by a bunch of fans, and he was standing on stairs too. I remember back from all the interviews after Money in the Bank 2011, CM Punk stated he was a little worried about going in the crowd with the WWE Championship, he was worried that a fan might try and snatch it. So Punk probably has that going through his mind, on top of all the pushing and shoving, and all the adrenaline from the action that he had with McMahon.

So with all that, on top of Punk being known to be controversial with fans (Incident at the house show where he degraded the one fan in 2011) it's no surprise Punk reacted like he did when the man with the sunglasses intentionally or unintentionally slapped him in the back of the head. The guy who got hit, seems like a Grade A jerk to me. He's already talking about lawsuits, and the way he poses in the pictures recently posted on twitter, just scream jackoff to me. I hope he does take WWE to court, and I hope they crush him.

 

[JohnOldSnake4]

Really? Did you even watch the video you posted? The kid in the Lesnar t-shirt clearly pushes him aggressively.

Yes the kid does push him aggressively, but Punk shoves the kid FIRST. Who the hell is he to put his hands on anyone, let alone a minor?

 

[Y2JBL]

It's amazing how many people struggle to have information enter their eyeballs and process it with their brain properly. How are people seeing 18 different versions of this video? Punk was shoving people left and right the second he got up there, starting with someone in a pink Ziggler shirt on the right who patted him a couple times. Then the Lesnar shirt kid on the left gets a big shove. None of these people were shoving Punk, just trying to pat his shoulder.

One thing I just noticed is that the glasses guy looks like he was sitting a few rows back and purposely came down to get behind Punk and get himself on camera. While I still feel bad that he got attacked for the wrong reason, I hate people at live events who don't respect that they paid for one seat and one seat only and you don't get in the way of people who are in their paid seats, so in a way I'm glad he got smacked too. None of this would have happened if people knew to stay in their seat. If you luck out and a wrestler ends up standing right next to you, good for you, get on camera. You don't come down 4 rows out of your seat.

 

[ITrippedTheShockmaster]

I'm a fan of C.M. Punk, but I unfortunately think that blame needs to be levied more on Punk in this instance.

Watching both the RAW camera angle and the fan video angle from YouTube, it looks like Punk was responding to being provoked by the kid in the Lesnar shirt on numerous occasions, but after he pushed the kid first. Here's how I saw it:

1) It's blurry, but Punk pushes the kid in the Lesnar shirt for whatever reason, which started the whole thing. That was wrong.

2) The kid in the Lesnar shirt visibly pushes Punk TWICE - so hard that he falls down a couple of stairs.

3) The guy that Punk hit looks like he accidentally hit Punk with his arm, which pretty much set Punk off. He was looking past Punk and to the ring, so it did not appear to be malicious. Punk didn't see that and just got fed up with being manhandled out there and reacted.

Was it right for Punk to react that way? No. He should have just moved further up or down the steps, or turned around and told the fan something. Yes, he is a heel and was acting like one when the fans swarmed him and he pushed them away. Striking the fan was uncalled for, especially twice. Talent should never strike a fan unless they're in fear of their lives. I'm sure that rule has been repeated numerous times in the locker room.

Do I think the fans should have pushed and prodded Punk so much? No. I understand that when one of the performers is in the crowd next to you, you want to touch him/her or get on camera and act like a jackass and all, but that doesn't mean you should do it. However, that being said, it's a risk the WWE takes when the performers go into the crowd. There should have been better security around Punk to prevent something like this.

Do I think Punk will get punished for his actions? Hard to say. Being as he did it right in front of the boss, it's possible. With WWE's anti-bullying campaign and Linda's Senate race pretty much leading the direction of the company right now, they wouldn't do anything to jeopardize either one. I think this will wind up becoming a legal matter that gets settled to save face for Punk and WWE. They've just set up a pretty big angle between Punk, Cena and now Ryback for HIAC. I doubt anything will be done before the PPV. Punk may drop the belt there to Cena, if there is some form of punishment levied. But, as some said, this also does sort of build up more heel heat on Punk, which he needs, so there's an outside chance WWE might play that part up.

In hindsight, I don't think having Punk escape through the crowd was a wise move, unless he was swarmed by security to avoid any fan interaction. Now that he's the top heel in the company, he's not going have the same fan reaction when in the crowd anymore, even though he's still a popular guy. He was being pushed and prodded and got pushed one too many times. Everyone has their tipping point. Punk's reaction was wrong, but the kid's physical harassment of Punk was wrong as well.

 

[dtroppe]

Years ago in wrestling, fans use to throw stuff, spit, and try to fight the wretstlers. It was dangerous. Sometimes the wrestlers fought back, but most of the time they were pros and got each other out of there. CM Punk's acts were criminal and unprofessional. Not only did he assault the wrong person, he assaulted a someone. Plain and simple. His actions were criminal. Im a police officer, and if someone pushed me and I layed into the wrong person, I would lose my job and most like face a criminal investigation/trial. Punk needs to be punished for his action. Why have a product designed for kids to watch that sends a message to strike blindly whenever you feel you were wronged. Punk knew security was on its way, hell they were there 2 seconds later. No excuses.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

From the looks of things, it seems like Punk had a pretty damn good reason to hit the guy. He's just doing his job and audience members keep feeling the need to shove him, touch him, and hit him in the back of the head. The latest video makes him seem completely justified in his retaliation.

Agreed. Punk's out there doing his job and people are pushing him, putting their hands on him, etc. Is he just supposed to stand there and let overeager fans shove him down the steps or maybe into another set of fans in which someone winds up hurt?

Now, from a legal standpoint, I believe that this is still considered aggravated assault. Unless 100% self-defense is being used as the only means for Punk to have protected himself from the guy who was hitting him, his reaction, the shot to the face, and the follow-up shot is going to be aggravated assault. That kid is going to make some bank and I think they're going to settle outside of court. I highly doubt Punk's status will be effected by it.

Yeah, probably. I'd say this'll be settled out of court and it's not like Punk just flew off the handle and smacked somebody without any degree of provocation. Probably by this time next week, this will all be water under the bridge and hardly anybody'll be talking about it. The guy might get some money out of this but I don't look for Punk to be adversely affected. According to reports, Punk is considered to be basically WWE's Bret Hart right now in the sense that he can always be counted out to go out there and do quality work at the drop of a hat. Like Bret Hart with Hulk Hogan, Punk doesn't get quite the same attention as Cena, but he's become the go to guy for when you want a great program.

 

[Mr-excitement]

I amp probably about to sound like a crazy person when i say this but what if this was a work what if to turn do much hea on CM punk they placed a wrestler in the stands and told CM punk to act out towards this fan to get him over as a heel more than ever. I know it sounds crazy but lets be realistic no one has talked about this incident except for media and fans not the person who was hit his family or friends or the WWE. Maybe they planned this and when Cm punk looked over his shoulder he was looking to make sure he hit the right person.

So let me get this straight, Vince goes to Punk and says let's do a work that will make parents not want to bring their children to shows since the ratings are already down.

This is obviously not a work. Punk did something stupid.

 

[BigSexy The IndyKiller]

For all of you saying that Punk won't be punished for this, let's not forget that he jobbed to Taker in the opening match at HIAC in '09 to drop the WHC after being a total dick back stage. He sorta has a history fucking up his pushes with his attitude. You have to wonder if Vince will continue to keep titles on him if he doesn't "play the game" behind the scenes...

 

[theViper]

If you look at the most recent video posted on the site by WZ, Punk was actually slapped in the back of the head by the guy in white that flips him off the same time the dude in black was putting his sunglasses on. Which, let's be honest; he was putting his sunglasses on in an arena at night. He deserves to be punched in the face for being that big of a douchebag. But in all honesty, it wasn't him. He was an innocent bystander. The guy in white directly behind his was the one to push his head. I don't even think the guy in black's elbow touched Punk.

 

[Rayne]

Look, I understand fining Punk for what he did, but firing him? Really? He didn't run someone over with a car, he punched a guy in the face. If you've seen a picture of his face he looks perfectly fine besides some obvious swelling that comes from being punched in the face.

Basically, stop being overdramatic. You're making yourself look like an idiot if you think he should be fired.

Kenny Dykstra. You can run someone over with a car and still keep your job. Although that little incident was probably brought up when he was fired for his shit attitude. I run into him every now and again when I go to the suburbs and hit the townie bars. Spectacular douchebag. The townie broads he picks up these days are just a few (hundred) levels below Mickie James.

 

[mattbel123]

Watch this version of the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sAWt_LtiS0

I'm actually on Punks side for this. There's a kid in the Brock shirt that keeps pushing punk and a kid in front of Punk with a Ziggler shirt on that keeps touching the belt. You can clearly see that Punk is agitated now. But the guy he hits, there's a guy in a white shirt behind him, this guy pushes Punks head and flips him off. That triggered Punk to hit him and all he did was put his hand in his face. No punches or anything.

 

[D-Man]

C'mon man, you run up through the stands into the crowd and STAY there at the end of a huge, emotionally charged main event, you're going to get touched, period. Be prepared for it. Hell, wrestlers get touched and patted on the back when they get too close to the crowd in the front row during a match.

Hard to tell what was going through Punk's head, though. I wonder what Cena would've done in that spot

Trust me, I agree with you. The guy is world famous and the top player on WWE's roster. Of course people are going to try and, maybe, pat him on the back, or touch his arms... but once someone started trying to shove him down the stairs and that stupid idiot deliberately hit him in the back of the head with his elbow to look cool on television, the line must be drawn.

 

[Pedigree1]

I have not posted in a long time but had to comment on this one! Leave it to my hometown for Punk to assault a fan. Being a long time resident here i can assure you that,the jackass had it coming. For whatever reason here people are just morons especially when you get alcohol in them.

The fan clearly pushed punk in the back of the head he was the aggressor IMO and punk just was merely defending himself. Now i totally understand that punk should never ever strike a fan. I dont see anything happening no charges or punishment will happen. But if the WWE was smart,they could use this to totally capitalize on punks full-blown heel turn.

Again i dont see anything happening to punk and i dont think also this is a work. Granted Punk was in the wrong here but he did what anyone of us would do. You ask where security was obviously no where to be found.