CM Punk Not Likely to Re-Sign with WWE; Glorious Opportunity for TNA?

[Rayne]

Mustang Sally, Bischoff saw WCW go under because Time-Warner wasn't behind him for financial support and a tv deal. You have to remember that WCW was part of Time-Warner wich owned the TV stations that broadcasted the shows. Once the executives decided they didn't want wrestling on Time-Warner channels, that led to the downfall of WCW. Imagine WCW had guaranteed TV deals when they were part of Time-Warner.

This is the biggest myth in professional wrestling, propagated by the people responsible for WCW's downfall so that they wouldn't have to share in any of the responsibility. WCW wasn't sold by Time Warner just because it was professional wrestling. Television executives are ****es, not purists. WCW was sold because at the time, it was absolutely hemorrhaging money and had almost no prospects for returning to profitability, and certainly in not in any kind of time frame which you could explain to the newly merged company's shareholders. (As it would turn out, AOL/Time Warner shareholders would need a LOT of decisions explained to them, but that's neither here nor there.)

What anyone who was a top figure in WCW won't want to tell you was that it was an enterprise entirely dependent upon having a blank check for expenses. Without that blank check, WCW couldn't work, and it's no coincidence that the same people who were running WCW in the '90's are unable to move the ratings for TNA today on a fixed budget.

There is a reason Eric Bischoff was dismissed and replaced by, of all things, an accountant, not anyone with significant professional wrestling experience. But that part doesn't fit the narrative of how WCW was destroyed by evil people who just don't get pro wrestling, so people tend not to bring it up too much.

 

[Nate DaMac]

I'd just like to note that Kurt Angle also didn't seem like the guy who you'd see join TNA, yet here he is, four or five years later still going strong. Was he offered more money than the WWE? Absolutely not. Was he offered better crowds than the WWE? Not by a long shot. He was at the top of his game back then, and he joined in 2006 I believe, when TNA wasn't pulling ratings any better than they were now. I doubt he was thrilled to work for such a company, and I doubt he liked all the people in it, namely Vince Russo, but the schedule was good, the money were good, and he wasn't gonna die in the next few years if he went to TNA instead of staying in the 'E.

If Kurt can, I see no reason why Punk can't. Clearly the WWE is too busy pushing anyone BUT Punk, so why not give it a whirl. As if McMahon would put him on WWE's blacklist if Punk ever went to TNA.

I just... What did... How did you... Excuse me. I have to pick my skull fragments up off of the ground.




Okay, so back on topic. WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? How does Kurt Angle even remotely relate to this situation? Did Kurt Angle leave because his contract expired and he was unhappy with his place in the company? No he didn't, he was forced out because he had a crazy pill addiction and he refused to seek help. Was Kurt Angle at the top of His game when he left the WWE? No he wasn't, he was on ECW squashing Justin Credible. Does this relate to the situation with CM Punk in any fathomable way? No it doesn't, so I have no fucking idea why were discussing this.

Seriously, you clearly are missing the point. Yes TNA could probably offer Punk a decent chunk of change and a lighter schedule, but where the hell are you getting the idea that those are the things that he is seeking? It's being reported that he is unhappy with the way he is being marketed and he balked at the contract they offered him. Why would he go to TNA who certainly cannot match the money the E will offer him(It wouldn't be a smart investment anyway) nor can they guarantee that he would be featured prominently? Your argument is completely invalid man.

 

[AntiChristDeicide]

Rayne and yet when i went to the states 2 or 3 years ago (because my brother lives in New-Jersey), i still didn't see wrestling on their networks sooo. You might be right about what you said, but me i don't blame Bischoff and Russo only for whay happened to WCW.

 

[Mustang Sally]

What anyone who was a top figure in WCW won't want to tell you was that it was an enterprise entirely dependent upon having a blank check for expenses.

I remember reading back then in the Wall Street Journal (of all places) that WCW was losing between $60-80 million dollars a year in their "heyday." After a couple of years like that, the suits at Time-Warner "suddenly" decided they didn't want WCW to continue being a drain on their books.... yet many folks contend the reason they dumped WCW was because the corporation didn't feel that pro wrestling was their style. Hell, if WCW was turning a big profit, I'd wager it would still be on Time-Warner's books today.

People often don't understand that even mega-corporations want their divisions to pay for themselves. They might put up with losses for a certain amount of time, but it won't go on forever. Even if WCW succeeded in their primary goal (putting WWE out of business), I can't see a way that they ever could have been profitable and self-sustaining; not with the insane salaries and production costs they were putting out there. Therefore, they had to go.

 

[JJYanks121]

I remember reading back then in the Wall Street Journal (of all places) that WCW was losing between $60-80 million dollars a year in their "heyday." After a couple of years like that, the suits at Time-Warner "suddenly" decided they didn't want WCW to continue being a drain on their books.... yet many folks contend the reason they dumped WCW was because the corporation didn't feel that pro wrestling was their style. Hell, if WCW was turning a big profit, I'd wager it would still be on Time-Warner's books today.

People often don't understand that even mega-corporations want their divisions to pay for themselves. They might put up with losses for a certain amount of time, but it won't go on forever. Even if WCW succeeded in their primary goal (putting WWE out of business), I can't see a way that they ever could have been profitable and self-sustaining; not with the insane salaries and production costs they were putting out there. Therefore, they had to go.

That's kind of right. When the AOL/Time Warner merger happened, Ted Turner was out. No longer was a wrestling mark in charge from the corporate level, so the new executives took a look at their books.

While WCW had turned a profit from about 1995-1997, 1998-1999 were producing MAJOR losses. If you ran a business, would you keep a division going that was losing that much money for you? Pretty easy decision to not support keeping it around. This is off topic though, but I just wanted to clera that up.

As for Punk, I really think it's just a ploy to get the right deal from WWE. You give threats and push buttons to get what you want and it might just work. Then again, if TNA is the other option, do you really think WWE is going to take his hardball stance seriously? I like Punk a lot, but if all of the star power in TNA already hasn't gained them any notoriety, why would Punk?

Ultimately, Punk has been given every opportunity to succeed in the WWE. He debuted big and they pushed him hard on ECW. He was THE most popular guy on that show and it wasn't close. Then he went to Raw where he continued to be popular and won every major title in one year. He's won Money in the Bank twice and been given two major stables to work with. He's feuded with the Undertaker, John Cena, and Randy Orton. Those are the top 3 faces in this industry. I'm not sure what else he'd like quite frankly. That's why I think this is purely a "look, I've done all of this, don't you think I deserve more money?" thing.

Could he be a little upset that Miz got the nod over him to main event Wrestlemania? Maybe, but who draws more? Who garners more heat? If you answered anything but the kid who is on every talk show and has national notoriety, you would be incorrect. That said, Punk still got a singles match at Mania against the company's second biggest babyface (and maybe the first since he doesn't get such a mixed reaction most of the time). I'd hardly call that a terrible consolation prize.

Don't get me wrong, Punk would be GREAT for TNA. He's exactly what works there in that he could be the heel version of AJ and Joe in an indy legend that marks like. Most of TNA's audience is marks anyways so he'd certainly be appreciated by the fans. Problem is, you are leaving way more fans behind and probably pissing off an employer that pushed you hard for 5 years straight. The dude is in a great position now and I wouldn't recommend screwing it up. I think he knows it and is just playing hardball. I'm sorry, but I don't see Punk going to TNA.

 

[DaGURUofWRESTLING]

Chocolate Thunder I agree right on, As for you SNOOPY AKA Sippy Cup King, Put the liquid Crack down, WWE piss there pants at TNA r u kidding What the Hell are you talking about. WWE puts on a good pruduct and TNA does not end of story. Paul E does not scare vince. ECW at its prime had a working partnership with WWE. I Loved ECW, I wish TNA would have been original but with the guy that wrote WWE storylines and WCW as well nothing can be original cause hes too much of a tool to change. When I was wrestling I wrote better story lines than that because mine were original. You wanna love TNA fine but dont hate the wwe because your product is a Bottom of the barrel rip off. HELL FOR ALL SIPPY CUPP **** INCLUDING THEIR KING.
Dont Box With DaGuRU ur Armz r2 ShOrT

 

[ray kidman]

i think tna would love to have cm punk i see so many great feuds involving c m punk

 

[themizisawesomemikeali]

He would resign with wwe soon he just wanted her girlfriend Beth Pheonix on Raw there was a similar situation with Undertaker and his wife Michelle Mcool

 

[Hulk Hogan's Brother]

CM Punk joining TNA would really be a huge thing for them. He is curently one of the best heels in the business, if not the best. He has generated a lot of heat in his WWE tenure and has beaten some of the topmost stars there.

Punk would be a perfect fit for the "Immortal" faction. He will fit well into the role that Jeff Hardy was supposed to accomplish. We could even get to see Punk vs Hardy in TNA all over again as there are rumors of Hardy being brought back as a babyface. Even if he does not feud with Hardy there are plenty of guys that Punk can feud with. Angle vs Punk, Joe vs Punk, Daniels vs Punk and Styles vs Punk would all be fantastic matches.

Also I don't think TNA worries too much about the backstage heat that Punk might bring. Punk is essentially his own man and the last I heard, TNA aren't really the most proffesional or uptight of the promotions in the business. If they could allow a few druggies to have their own way, I don't think that they will have much problem with Punk attending a few meetings in biker shorts sipping a Pepsi.

I can even forsee Punk joining TNA. Like I said earlier Punk isn't one who is really bogged down with the thought of what would happen to him or his image if he leaves WWE. If he finds the working conditions unpalatable there and if TNA basically assures him of the fact that he will be pushed, I don't think that Punk will hesitate to make the jump.

Getting CM Punk will be a shot in the arm for TNA. There isn't really any other way to sum up this situation.

 

[.]

No. CM Punk will not wrestle for TNA in the most likely sceanario. Punk has expressed his dislike for TNA in the past. On Twitter he has mocked TNA time and again and after his stint in TNA he mocked them in ROH.

If TNA got them would it be a good oppurtunity? Yes. Realistickly will it happen? No. The schedule for Punk would be lighter and would probably be great relief from 5 years travelling the world with WWE. From what he has said in interviews and on his twitter account he doesn't like TNA in the slightest. CM Punk also would have to deal with people who he blasted in the indy's such as Hogan. Consider this also: Would CM Punk get along with Jeff Hardy or vice versa? Jeff shot on Punk claiming he made him a star and verbally bashed him time and time again and CM Punk's promos were one of the reasons Hardy decided to not return to WWE.

Punk's not going to TNA if he leaves WWE, simple as.

 

[eezy1]

I`d bring punk in and have him booking/backstage so he can take a lil time out from active wrestling. He has a great mind for the biz and i could see him exceling in this role. U`d have to get him back in the ring soonish so he doesnt lose any of the huge rub he`s picked up in the E. Id love another Joe/Punk feud

 

[He's Phenomenal]

CM Punk signing for TNA would be neither here nor there for me. I wouldn’t be excited by his signing but I wouldn’t be disappointed either. That’s not a knock on Punk, because I wouldn’t be excited by any WWE signing outside of Undertaker and Triple H. Both are never going to happen, I know that. Randy Orton looked like a star during the year I watched WWE but nobody else made an impression.

But that’s not to say CM Punk couldn’t come into TNA and add something to the product. I wasn’t excited or disappointed with Matt Hardy’s signing. But now I’m glad they did sign him.

I’m just not sure where someone like CM Punk would fit in. I’m not sure he would want to come in and be in the mid card, and the main event is far too stacked to need anyone else. When you have guys like AJ Styles, Mr Anderson, Rob Van Dam, Sting, Matt Morgan, Kurt Angle, The Pope, Bully Ray etc. Is there really any need for anyone else?

 

[manstis1804]

CM Punk is so fuckin over right now. He gets cheered on par with Orton during their matches against each other. This would be like Edge's contract being up in 2007 and going to TNA. You gotta try to bring him in. He could be a top heel and feud with AJ....damn. RVD, Bully Ray, Matt Morgan, Mrs. Anderson, they can all step aside for Punk as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Dizzy]

Of course this thread turns into a WWE vs TNA thread. Punk comes off as a dick, so it would have to be a lengthy conversation before you can convince both parties to agree on anything but getting him in TNA would be great.

I don't think it's impossible. I didn't think WWE would ever let Mickie go and I certainly didn't expect her to return to TNA after it seemed like her music was going to take over her career.

Punk may disrespect Hogan but I know for sure, he isn't stupid enough to join a company that can't even stay on television like ROH. And they aren't even a real company.

If he did sign, TNA would have to make some big decisions in their main event roster. Because Punk would have to get quality time every week. I do believe TNA would make Punk a better character but Punk coming to TNA will never happen unless him and Jeff Hardy squash their beef.