CM Punk's Summerslam Offense

[NthDegree23]

I've always thought Punk has had a notably eclectic moveset since he's been with WWE. I was surprised to see him pull out a Haas of Pain on Raw a few months back and he used to bust the occasional moonsault from time to time. Obviously, on the independent scene, wrestlers are much less married to a list of signature moves. I believe Punk has kept that influence by having a slightly unpredictable moveset.

But at Summerslam, it felt like Punk was intentionally using a great deal of obscure and unusual moves (by WWE standards). He used Wild Samoan-esque falling headbutts, a koji clutch, a Rick Steiner-like diving bulldog, a mongolian chop followed by a throat thrust, and, of course, A Macho Man honoring elbow drop. Now, I've seen Punk use a few of these moves in WWE before, but never so many in one match. It seems like Punk is modeling himself to be the embodiment of pro wrestling (as opposed to sports entertainment) and the independents by using moves that catch the attention of hardcore fans.

Thoughts?

 

[DD7]

he's taking his game to a new level, seeing how diverse his moveset was in that match was amazing. You never expected any of them and BAM there they were. I agree with you and think that this should be the same with everyone, rather than have the john cena 5 MOD...

 

[dtroppe]

Eh, not a big deal. Lots of cool moves and movesets don't sell tickets or t-shirts. Some of the biggest draws and most popular guys of all time had small movesets and yet were LOVED by fans. Hogan, Stone Cold, Cena, Warrior, Batista, Goldburg - all main event guys. Probably will make some marks happy but a falling head butt will never be cooler than an entrance from any of the above mentioned superstars. Sorry, Punk just isn't the draw you want him to be.

 

[postapocalyptichalo]

Eh, not a big deal. Lots of cool moves and movesets don't sell tickets or t-shirts. Some of the biggest draws and most popular guys of all time had small movesets and yet were LOVED by fans. Hogan, Stone Cold, Cena, Warrior, Batista, Goldburg - all main event guys. Probably will make some marks happy but a falling head butt will never be cooler than an entrance from any of the above mentioned superstars. Sorry, Punk just isn't the draw you want him to be.

Sorry but I have to say he has become a serious draw as of late. In case you haven't noticed, WWE has sold out of his shirts constantly for the past few months. Fans chant his names in arenas, even when he's not advertised on different shows. People who have stopped watching the product started watching again because he's doing something different from the usual formula.

But I do have to say, his moveset is quite varied indeed. There are even some moves I haven't seen before that made me go "Oh, that's awesome." I'm becoming increasingly interested in the product again. And a majority of it is due to Punk's current presence, and usage in the WWE.

 

[Iversen]

Eh, not a big deal. Lots of cool moves and movesets don't sell tickets or t-shirts. Some of the biggest draws and most popular guys of all time had small movesets and yet were LOVED by fans. Hogan, Stone Cold, Cena, Warrior, Batista, Goldburg - all main event guys. Probably will make some marks happy but a falling head butt will never be cooler than an entrance from any of the above mentioned superstars. Sorry, Punk just isn't the draw you want him to be.

How the hell is Punk not a draw? His t shirt is selling out, his name is chanted constantly at arenas. people are tuning in to see what he does next! All of those things add up to him being a huge draw! Even if he wasn't would I care? No because he's damn entertaining and his cool moves are awesome and he's one of the most talented folk in the industry.

Sorry it just really annoys me when people make comments like that. If he is a draw he's not making you money anyway so who cares? Surely whether you find him entertaining or not should be all that matters?

 

[Барбоса]

It seems like Punk is modeling himself to be the embodiment of pro wrestling (as opposed to sports entertainment) and the independents by using moves that catch the attention of hardcore fans.

While I agree with this to some extent I think that there are other reasons. Having such an eclectic moveset not only sets Punk aside from others in the eyes of the hardcore fans, it could also attract the more casual fan who in the end are the real targets of the wrestling business. Meanwhile, honouring the likes of the Macho Man and using what could be described as "independent" moves and in-ring style continues that strand of rebellion that Punk has embodied not just in the last three months but throughout his career.

Yet at the same time, you could also say that in terms of the storyline that Punk felt the need to pull out all kinds of different moves on one of the biggest wrestling stages of the year against the poster child and one of the best workers of the business. It reflects well on him in his in-ring diversity and also on Cena himself as it took a massive arsenal to take him down.

All of this put together suggests that Punk is trying to mould himself into a marketable star without sacrificing everything that got him to the big stage and I for one think that he and WWE in general should be given some credit for trying something different. It certainly has not harmed ratings in the short run while the initial response in the marketing department suggests that Punk does have a following and while one shirt selling out does not make it Hulkamania or Austin 3:16 (we have no idea how much stock of "Punk: Best in the World" had been created), it does give a suggestion that anti-establishment Punk is going in the right direction.

 

[Poop Master Flex]

I think he is expanding his regular repertoire into his WWE Style of matches.

Like you said he has used these moves before but Summerslam and even MITB he has started using these moves more and more. About 2 months ago when Punk did his initial promo he said straight up that he felt he was the best in the world and this may be something he is doing to drive that fact home. So far I would say he is successful as he has had 2 great matches with John Cena, 1 of those getting a 5 star rating.

He has mentioned independents more and frankly this whole storyline is a hardcore fans wet dream, I'm sure Punk knows this so he is expanding more of his moveset into his WWE matches to give a nod to the hardcore's and the people who knew who he was before his time in the WWE.

It's all part of his new character development, he is "the best in the world" so he is expanding his moveset to drive that fact home in the ring and its also "different" from the usual WWE style, something Punk has been jabbing at for the last few months, it makes sense so I say keep doing it, its working for him.

 

[Hulk Hogan's Brother]

I think both Cena and Punk used a lot of moves that were outside their normal offense in their match at SummerSlam. Cena used a crossface, a dropkick and a Stinger Splash among other things. He also countered Punk's submission which also mght require some kayfabe skill. I don't really think that there is any inner meaning to all this other than the fact that both guys were really going for the kill. Also since they have wrestled each other so many times, it would make sense to make use of a few differemt moves since they are so familiar with each other's offense. It could be seen as a tactic to throw your opponent off guard.

Other than that I cannot really see the significance of Punk's moveset at SummerSlam. Even though having a great variety of moves has nothing to do with being a good pro wrestler, there are some people, mostly smarks, who believe that shit. Even then, it cannot be ignored that Cena used a lot of different moves as well. So that really does not set Punk apart in any manner.

 

[NthDegree23]

My computer's not letting me quote dtroppe for some reason (my internet is pants-on-head), but I'd like to respond to his statement. I don't believe I said anything about Punk's ability to draw, but on that topic, I think that everyone's ability to draw is hindered by the low ratings WWE is getting. Madden pointed out that the average Raw is around where WCW was when it was going under. I think, if Punk can "make this fun again" through his influence (of course, he's being allowed to do what he's doing, but only because his original promo got such a huge response) and improve the overall quality of the product on a consistent basis, more people will watch. Which is better: having the sort of face that sells cups and wrist bands, or having the sort of clout that causes real change?

Back on topic: deanerandterry and Myriad mentioned Cena using more moves, too, but his moves (the Stinger Splash, the dropkick, the depressingly un-head-dropping Emerald Fusion, and some sort of quasi-Muay Thai middle kick) have been more bastardized than the ones Punk used. Obviously, they were both using a wider array of moves , but I think Punk's were especially noteworthy. Either way, it was a fantastic match that I fear will be underrated in the future because of the tainted finish.

 

[Skairipa Matrix]

Eh, not a big deal. Lots of cool moves and movesets don't sell tickets or t-shirts. Some of the biggest draws and most popular guys of all time had small movesets and yet were LOVED by fans. Hogan, Stone Cold, Cena, Warrior, Batista, Goldburg - all main event guys. Probably will make some marks happy but a falling head butt will never be cooler than an entrance from any of the above mentioned superstars. Sorry, Punk just isn't the draw you want him to be.

HAHAHAA YOU MAKE ME LAUGH! cm punks a huge draw for wwe right now! they already sold out of his best in the world shirt and there on back order (and its true unlike zack ryder saying they sell out of his shirt) and right now everybody is wondering what punks gonna do next hes the hottest topic in the business right now! his move set at summerslam was awesome and i think hes doing it on purpose to prove a point or whatever