GAB: C.M. Punk vs. Batista

[Mantard]

Okay, well seeing as how it wasn't long ago that many of us were whining about Batista possessing the belt every third reign, I really can't see why everyone is suddenly on his side again.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a Punk fan and somewhat of a Batista fan, although I do admit that each candidate for champion has their major disadvantages.

C.M. Punk: He's too green in WWE right now in my opinion. He has some quality ring work at times and even a few good promos, but I do agree that he isn't ready to hold the strap for the "flagship show." Snitsky may be a tard, but he had a point: Punk wasn't meant to be Mr. MITB as far as I remember, so I think this is a "sink or swim" moment for Punk. If his reign is to be given any credibility or length, he has to really, really step up and start kickin' some ass on RAW.

Batista: Again? Why? None of the Fatal Four Way participants last night really would have made me happy to have won. Cena: I hated him as champ. He's not that bad now that he's not WWE God, but I don't want him to be champ again and make THIS belt spin. JBL: No. Just no. Kane: Another 24 hour reign? No thanks. Plus, he hasn't really been pushed in ages. I do remember the May 19th flipout a few years back, which wasn't bad, but I don't remember it going anywhere... Batista: Yeah. Dave again with the WHC. Woo. Didn't last that long ever on Smackdown!, so I hope it doesn't on RAW.

I can only hope Punk retains and some faction helps him out. Maybe DiBiase and Rhodes? I have no idea. BigWill may not like Punk, but he is right: Punk has won titles and briefcases on mistakes of others. Maybe Batista gets suspended and he retains. I do like Punk, but I think if he continues at the level he is now, he will sink.

 

[redx619]

Edge Cashed In At New Years Revolution 2006 Just To Loose To Cena 2 Weeks Later

ok whoever says cm punk is gunna loose is crazy? cmon would they make him win the title with the money in the bank just too loose it like 3 weeks later...the point of the money in the bank winner is to cash it in and have a long reign with the title it would be so pointless just to waste the money in the bank on cm punk and too make him loose it 3 weeks later that would be stupid so i expect cm punk to win somehow or someway but this match will be intresting at best

 

[Robi2184]

OneBigWill whether you like it or not CM Punk has acheived alot in his career. The guy has climbed the same ladder guys like Benoit, Guerrero, Mystero and Jericho did. Once Indy legends who made to the big one.

I dont know if you have done your homework on Punk, but he has wrestled all over the world in places like Japan, EUrope and the United States. He has been Heavyweight Champion almost everywhere he has stepped foot and help make ROH what it is today.

Your wrong on him not having talent and it is not his fault Jeff Hardy decided to put some shit in his body that is not like legal. Being StraightEdge pays off and it is a Lifestyle that I myself am part off. You could say whatever you want, becuase at the end of the day Mcmahon loves Punk character and Punk should be able to accomplish alot in the WWE.

Remember StraightEdge means Im bettere than You!

 

[EvilRobotChris]

I think with Smackdown becoming the "A Show" that they might give Punk a good long run of at least a few months with the WHC. With all the heat the WWE has felt about steroids and such, it seems as though they could be grooming Punk to be the next Bret Hart. I'm very much getting the same vibe as the Hitman's first World Championship reign. Notice how all the top faces are giving him the rub in interviews? He'll run through every mid-carder that the company will throw at him but it will start to get stale. Punk should then stay a face but reject the help and endorsement of others "I'll show everyone, I worked hard and can do this on my own. Though I appreciate your endorsement I do not NEED IT!". He'll lose the title through some controversial method, and one of the established stars will come back and swipe the title away from the transitional heel champion. Anyone who has seen any of his indy career knows that Punk is a hard worker (first 5 star WON match in America in how many years?) and the WWE fans need to get an appreciation for that.

With Punk in the spotlight as the Champ, it will give Cena some time to once again become the edgy "Doctor of Thuganomics". Kane can be involved in the McMahon storyline and not be involved in the title race. JBL should be done like Ted Dibiase circa Wrestlemania IV. He's a good performer and a solid in ring worker, but despite these things, he'll try to use his money and power to get the title.

Batista hasn't been on the biggest winning streak as of late, and I think the time is perfect for him to turn heel setting up for perhaps some Evolution type of reunion with Orton. The fans love Big Dave, but you can tell from his writing and speaking style that he can fall right in with being a great heel. Unfortunately for Batista, big men like him have to be defeated regularly, otherwise they fall into the Goldberg/Ultimate Warrior category, and really, Dave is a much deeper guy who is more than a body looking for a check. It'd be great for him to just go on a pissed off heel champion run and perhaps have Naitch come back in and remind him that wrestlers are a group, and the selfish ones get left in the dust. I'd love something along the lines of "You have the choice. You can be remembered along with the the Harley Races, the Terry Funks, and the Dusty Rhodeses, or you came be remembered like the Hulk Hogans, the Bill Goldbergs, and the Ultimate Warriors. I'm Ric Flair, and one day I want to be able to say 'Dave Batista works hard for this business, and he is the kind of champion I can get behind!' but Big Dave, brother [gotta have a requisite brother], you are not there yet. WOOOOOOO!" Drop the mic. Walk away. Orton turns on Batista and eventually takes his title. Batista takes on a legend manager/trainer that is already backstage. Someone like Arn Anderson or Ricky Steamboat.

Orton then gets stripped of the title for some reason, controversial ending with Dave.

All the while CM Punk works back through the ranks and challenges Batista in some kind of tournament final. Batista may not be a technical wrestling genius, but he has shown that he can work his ass off in a match. Punk and Batista could have a 5 star 60 minute time limit draw as a nod to Flair [ideally Batista would survive the anaconda vice at the end of the match], and both are established main event stars. Friendly handshake from both. Neither one rushed too fast. At that point you could keep an open ended championship program, or turn Punk heel and have him take out Dave and win the vacant title with help from Colt Cabana in a sudden death overtime and you now have your cocky CM Punk from ROH.

Perhaps I'm too much of an idealist.

 

[tehblogger]

I actually want Punk to beat Batista. Ideally it wouldn't be clean: he'd win in some heelish manner, turns heel and becomes interesting. But that won't happen, because a heel Punk doesn't exactly click with WWE's marketing of him as a drug-free clean guy. So Punk will have to go over Batista cleanly, I think. Which is ridiculous, considering Punk's losing streak prior to getting his hands on a belt. But whatever. Anything's better than another monster Batista title reign. I don't especially mind Punk, but Batista is horrible. He should go job to Colin Delaney.

My point really is that RAW has been clogged up for too long with dominant champions who are booked to look overly strong. Triple H, Cena, and maybe even Orton. That's fine to a certain extent, but after a while it becomes predictable. But a weak champion, particularly a weak face champion? It's a nice change. It will drive up ratings. How long can this guy hang on to the belt? Against such overwhelming odds? Interesting stuff! Unlike a Batista title reign. Where's the interest in that, and what are the potential fascinating feuds? Who the hell wants to see Batista v Cena, or JBL, or Kane? Yuck.

No, I've changed my mind about this. Punk should hang on to the belt until SummerSlam and then drop it to Jericho, assuming his feud with Michaels finishes at the Bash. Which I hope it does. Not that I haven't enjoyed this feud, which has been one of the best things on RAW recently, but because I think Jericho needs to step up a level ASAP.

Actually, probably the biggest problem with keeping Punk as champ for this long is his finisher, which as A) shit and B) really shit when he tries to do it against big guys, when it's just not believable. He badly needs a new one, one that's both effective and doesn't look awful against the big lads on RAW (remember, Punk was mostly facing cruiserweights on ECW).

 

[healyz84]

I actually think that CM Punk will be victorious in this match. And unlike most other people, I am actually somewhat excited about this match. As JR put it so eloquently, the fans like 'new'. The 'new' may not turn out to be good, but fans still like 'new'. A match between CM Punk and Batista has never happened, so it is new. It is also early to say that this will be a terrible match because their styles clash. I don't think their styles will clash all that much in my opinion. This will be the classic big power man vs the smaller but quicker opponent. This will also be Punk's first chance to be in a mainevent(well the second main event) of a ppv, and I can definitely see him upping his game for this match, he might even be allowed to perform the pepsi plunge and its been forever since we've seen the anaconda vice. The way that Batista wrestlers, a few major moves here and there, it will be interesting to see how Punk will take control of this match, as he is usually the one who is on the defensive in a lot of his matches as well. For this reason alone i am interested in the match. How I see this match ending is with Kane running in and taking out Batista, giving Punk the victory(though he is unaware that Kane helped him) and starting a feud between Kane and Batista. I then think that Punk's next opponent for SS will be Jericho, who will be victorious over HBK. I then see Jericho defeating Punk for the title at SS, which will allow for a heel to defend the title against the large number of faces on the raw show. Once Orton returns, it is very plausible that a face(either Batista or Cena) takes the title from Jericho, so the heels get their shot at the title, culminating at wm with a match between Cena and Batista.

 

[kwig2121]

As many of you have stated the WWE could go several ways with Punk at GAB. First of all I don't see Big Dave doing the job for Punk. Dave has had to job several times to Edge these last few months and it kills his character. If Orton was healthy, I could see Dave jobbing and then they going heel with a new Evolotion including Jericho & Cade. So if Punk retains, has to be because of interference from the new monster Kane, setting off Kane vs Batista, then you would hope for Jericho vs Punk at Summerslam. If that happens Punk's reign has to end, because the belt needs to get on a heel so that either Cena or Batista can get it to set up there guaranteed Wrestlemania match.
Unless, they wait Punk out for Orton, who then can make the handoff.

So yes, there is a lot of better possibilities if Punk retains, because he has Kane, Jericho, JBL, & Orton lined up and you would not have to turn Batista or Cena! It's fresher for the business and the audience....

However... we know two things...A) Punk is a transitional champion & he is still green...B) Vince loves a "big" muscle bound champ.... So the argument can be made that Batista goes over if not here... then Summerslam.

They get two matches out of this with a tease of a Batista turn... because of a DQ at GAB. He gets aggressive, gets a rematch and wins at SS. Then he reverts back to his face mode fighting Jericho, JBL, and Orton the rest of the year, leading to..... of course his Wrestlemania defense against John Cena!

Vince likes proven guys at the top! Batista was hot on Raw before he left. Fans identify him with the big gold belt, and you can build your Raw program around him. I probably see him getting help from Cena, you might throw in a match against Michaels, and finally friction between him and John lead to Wrestlemania.

Personally of the two theories, Punk is better for the fans. The I tune in to every pay per view expecting him to lose, but he doesn't though I know he is transitional. He is fresh. Fresh face... fresh merchandise sales...

However Batista, will put fans in the seats and is proven. With JBL, Jericho, Kane, and a returning Orton out there... I don't see Vince passing this up!

 

[therockyfan316]

If CM Punk lost it would kill his credibility as a main-eventer I think a big win over Batista would be just what he needs to solidify himself in the ME. He might be a transitional champion but why Batista? If they wanted Batista to have the belt they should have had him go over at NOC and let CM Punk work his way up over the year before cashing in. CM Punk goes over Batista at GAB, JBL or Kane at Summerslam and loses to Cena at Survivor Series

^exactly. i agree with this dude, cm punk has got to win for his sake and raw's sake. it might not even be a fair ending, but if punk can get the job done he will start to seem more credible. he has to get a streak going...maybe a good way to finish this match is have punk put batista in that anaconda vice grip and batista doesnt tap. the match finally ends when batista "breaks" a bone...hows that for a dramatic ending. suddenly punk wouldnt seem like such an innocent guy anymore and batista would be viewed as a warrior for never having tapped.

but more likely it will be orton interfering, i can almost guarantee it.

 

[cubwannabear]

Of course the C.M Punk/Batista match is going to suck but not from CM Punk's end. Batista is this generation's Lex Luger. He's better off fending off the bad guy when the deck is stacked against him or the narcissistic bad guy everyone wants to see get his ass beat. Batista doesn't have the mike skills to be a cool heel or the funny good guy.
I can't believe the blogs I've read not even giving CM Punk a chance. I won't lie, I would rather see Jeff Hardy in Punk's spot, I'd watch Jeff wrestle a tree. CM Punk will have a fast build up. He's already beat JBL and I see him beating Batista at the Bash. They're going to have to build up Punk's character to make him a valuable player on RAW or they're just wasting their time giving him the title. I just hope they don't screw up Punk's title reign like they did Misterio's on smackdown and make it like the title reign's a fluke.
Oh yeah, where'd you guys get that CM punk is small? Mistero is small yes but Punk isn't.
Batista, Kane, JBL are these super huge wrestlers from McMahon land who believes everyone wants to see a big man wrestle, sure, if they had some talent. I'd rather see Rey Mistero, Chris Jericho, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Shawn Michaels wrestle anytime over
some big lumbering muscle head with no mat skills. Ten years ago all of the above would've been in the cruiserweight class. Even Shawn Michaels wasn't suppose to go as far as he did. Get off Punk's back.
So yes, I'd like to see Punk retain the title, possibly turn heel.

 

[triplesic]

So

CM Punk Vs. Batista - Lets see here, I call Batista going over. Just from how this is story is being told so far.

Sure Punk is the Champion but he's being depicted as a guy who's just happy to be there.

That first 20 min segment setting up the #1 contender match where the other 4 guys were doing all the work while just stood there smiling like a little kid, was kind of embarrassing to watch for him (in my opinion)

I love the idea as Punk as a Champion, but this is bad, and they're going to make it worse by making him lose at GAB.

And to say they wont because it would kill is credibility should be the correct thinking but WWE has been known to royally fuck things up on occasion.

BUT.... He could go over and they might be able to save this if they make Punk turn heel and Join up with DiBiase and Rhodes as that young heel stable.

Screw Batista as heel, I see Punk gaining far more from a heel turn than Batista.

 

[Mighty NorCal]

gooooodNESS. This has laborious written ALL over it. fucking a this could be putrid. Punk needs someone who can bump and sell well. Batista damn the fuck sure cant do that. And punk doesnt bump all thatwell either, so BYE BYE to Batista's offense looking even half passable. This might be the worst mismatch the WWE can come up with on the entire roster seriously. Although, I can say, the paramters as stated make this match intriguing in a car crash kind of way. I cant see any reason they would have Punk drop it his first time out, so Batista likely loses from a Kane interference. Since there is just about no way Punk can go over clean, and legit.

 

[Mantard]

I'm actually surprised that I can't actually predict the outcome of this match. As I posted earlier, there are reasons that neither would make a great winner here...

CM Punk should bring back the Vice. If he can't GTS Shitsky without breakin his nose, how is he gunna hoist Dave without getting a hernia?

And Batista is on a GAB losing streak... 0/3.

Honestly, I can't really see either winning here... Maybe Edge or someone interferes, there's a DQ, and no one looks good. I have absolutely no idea.

In the midst of my confusion is some strange happiness, however. This is something I've wanted for a long time: Not being able to guess a month in advance who would win the title matches.

My prediction, though, I think, will be CM Punk retains in some random and strange turn of events. No idea how though.

Sidenote: Edge cashed in MITB and lost back to Cena two weeks later. I certainly hope they don't do the same to Punk, seeing as how Batista is just as stale as champ to me right now. Bleh.

 

[Robi2184]

Well one thing is for sure the 3.5 Rating Raw did last night helps CM Punk. It still the same as last week and did not go down. I hope next week we see a CM Punk vs Kane match, with Batista doing commentary or something. CM Punk beats Kane, but after the match Kane goes crazy and starts beating on CM Punk, Batista makes the save and Batista Bombs Kane. AT the PPV Kane costs Batista the World Title.

On a side note for the guys saying Punk cany GTS batista you shoud see the GTS he gave Kane in Chile, and the Broken nose to Snitsky just makes the GTS sound more credible.

 

[Monkey_Mania]

To be honest I am really looking forwad to this match. I don't like Punk at all, but this will make him seem like a real contender if he beats Batista. Speaking of Batista. What the fuck is it about him being on raw that makes me like him? I'll never know. Back on topic. This is shit or get off the pot time for Punk. If he can get a win over Big Dave and make it seem realistic I will see him as a credible champion. Shouldn't be a technical masterpiece but it should be very entertaining.

 

[image1986]

I find it funny how people complain on how punk won the title. He did exactly what the MITB was meant for to win the title unexpectally. Every MITB winner won the title through controversy. Edge first title reign happen after cena won new years revolution the same night. Rvd won the title after interference by edge and a count by paul heyman. Finally edge beat kennedy for his shot then beat taker on smackdown after another match. Edge has been the only heel to cash in MITB so to say how punk won is not exactly a heel style. And true most of the time the MITB winner get the title they don't hold it that long but that doesn't mean punks reign will be short. I actually think its going to be long intil oron takes it back. Plus Punk is not going heel considering there are only two other main event faces on raw (not including shawn michaels) so PUNK is being groomed to be a main eventer whther u like it or not. The only thing he should do is get rid of the GTS and bring back the anaconda vice that move is sick.

 

[Jeff Hardy Rules]

I think that Punk will retain for three reasons.
1. WWE will surprise people by leaving it on Punk because everyone thinks its going to Batista.
2. The ratings have increased since the change. People have wanted new faces in the mix.
3. It makes Money in the Bank seem weak if you take the belt off Punk right now. He wins the ladder match gets the title and then loses it. This also makes Punk look weak because people will say the only way he can get a title is by "stealing" it.

 

[bigstu554]

Punk HAS to win this match if he's going to have any credibility at all. He can drop it at the next PPV or whatever, but he HAS to win this match unless they are planning on burying him afterwards.

I think we'll see a heel turn come out of this match, but I can't figure out how. With so few proven face draws on RAW right now, I can't see Big Dave going heel just yet. Punk going heel would be interesting, I don't know how much sense that would make.

This match could be awful, but I'm still excited for it, simply because I have no idea what's going to happen.

 

[Robi2184]

This match is all gonna depend on what Vince wants to do with Punk. I remember a while back there where reports of Punk never being able to win a major title in the WWE and alot had him like the next Jeff Hardy, but Punk is well like by Vince and Stephanie and when you have those two behind you in the WWE you have everything. I think we can see Punk retain, alot are not seeing what this match is being built as David against Goliath. Punk midgets Batista and everyone has Batista penciled in as the Champion already. I dont know how Punk will win, but I think he retains at GAB. It will benefit the company and it will push Punk even higher, along with adding a WoW factor of not knowing what will happen in the WWE.

 

[Mantard]

I think that Punk will retain for three reasons.
1. WWE will surprise people by leaving it on Punk because everyone thinks its going to Batista.
2. The ratings have increased since the change. People have wanted new faces in the mix.
3. It makes Money in the Bank seem weak if you take the belt off Punk right now. He wins the ladder match gets the title and then loses it. This also makes Punk look weak because people will say the only way he can get a title is by "stealing" it.

I agree with this.

Number One: The surprise factor has been very high lately. Drafting a champ to SD, CM Punk cashing in (I was beginning to wonder if WWE basically forgot he had the 'case), Kofi winning the title (I didn't really expect that), etc.

Number Two: If you look at the other Raw Champs, they're all newer facers. Punk, Kofi, DiBiase/Rhodes... and uh, Mickie. *ahem*

Number Three: While Money in the Bank hasn't lasted long in the past, look at why: First time, Edge lost to Cena shortly after. Cena was God, he wasn't about to just lose...
Second time, RVD kinda screwed himself outta both titles (WWE and ECW ones) at once. Poor guy.
Third time, Kennedy lost it to Edge because of an injury, and Edge actually is still in the ME picture since that one.
Fourth time: stay tuned.

I think this year they might actually, due to the above three reasons that "Jeff Hardy Rules" mentioned, let Punk hold it for awhile.

 

[Alexandre13]

I think that Punk getting the title was a RAW moment that's going to be put on the 15th year anniversary . If you are a wrestling fan, you realize it was stale. Habracabra, we have 4 young champions on RAW... Every segment on ECW,RAW,Smacdown has featured the youngsters either carrying the segment or winning the matches/promo. For those who hate on Punk for being a indy star and established as a Main Eventer, and because he's not big enough billed as 222 lbs.... how heavy is/was Kurt Angle? You don't think Punk puts the time in the gym to be able to put Taker,Batista,Kane,JBL in the GTS your crazy it takes 2 secs.

Punk is exciting so is RAW the ratings are going up because A. unpredictability B. the taker angle, C. Jericho/HBK D. Young stars in the making. We are watching a wrestling renaissance it's unfair to say that CM is the reason but he's part of the new wave of talent taking over. Punk received a huge ovation on Monday, I think he's establishing himself and wont need the title right now to cement his spot.

My guess for the summer:

Batista wins by cheating then the lights go out....
Cena beats JBL setting up Wrestlemania

CM Punk will go into a feud with JBL and will be put over to help him build credibility for his next title run against Edge.

 

[impact11686]

I think that Punk will beat Batista at the Bash. This would then allow Batista to turn heel and join Orton. There were rumors of that happening awhile ago. Team them with Dibiase and Rhodes and you have a new faction that would be interesting. Plus there are more new feud possibliities if Punk wins. This is Punk's time to shine.

 

[Slim Pickns]

I'm torn on this. Its new, so I'm curious, but there is nothing really too exciting. I guess me not having a clue who will win has something to do with the fact I want to see this. Edge vs HHH is the main event and the Bash actually has a solid undercard with Cena, JBL, Jericho, and HBK so it makes sense to take a chance on this.

We could be in for a pleasant suprise since RAW's writers seem to be taking more chances lately. Maybe Punk turns heel by cheating to win or Batista wins clean and moves on. RAW is so far up in the air right now its hard to predict where the World Title will be at Summerslam.

 

[Ad!]

Yeah. Batista and Orton team up, bring in Dibiase and Rhodes. Call it 'The Circle' or something as things have come full circle since Evolution and now Batista and Orton are the established guys and they're looking for fresh blood.

Have it all lead to Survivor Series in a big team match up with Cryme Tyme/Cena/Punk/Michaels? and JBL on their team etc. Then from there start the build for Cena vs Batista at Wrestlemania 25.

 

[Rusty]

A very bad decision by the WWE to put CM Punk against a popular babyface is his first ppv title defence. I can see the fans turning on Punk and cheering Batista in this match. I would have prefered a Punk vs JBL match so Punk could get more over as a face as he would be facing a decent heel.

With that being said, I am actually looking forward to this match as its new and interesting. If the WWE really wants to push Punk as a true main eventer, he definately needs to win this match. So therefore I am predicting C.M Punk to win this match over Batista cleanly with no outside interference. This will set up a fatal four way at Summerslam between Batista, Punk, JBL and John Cena. I would be very interested in that match.

I am expecting this match to surprise everyone by actually being a decent bout between the two.

 

[simpsons_fanatic742]

I think Punk is going to win for the reason that WWE wants him to gain credibility and they want to show the fans that they are serious in bringing change. A win for Punk over Batista will do wonders for him and gain an even bigger fan base and crowd reaction. I think this will continue for a couple of more PPVs with the addition of Cena, JBL, and Kane in some form. I think this match will be a decent match.