GAB: C.M. Punk vs. Batista

["Cool Guy" Jensen]

First of all, I can see this match go either way actually. Very limited amount of wrestlers nowadays lose their title after less than a month after winning it. So I can see C.M. Punk finding some way to defeat and retain against Batista. Also, I can see Batista winning his 4th World Heavyweight Championship because it's his 11th World title match as a challeger so I don't know how many times Batista will challenge for the title before he wins it. So if Punk retains or if Batista wins the gold, I won't be surprised either way.

 

[StrangerDanger]

I honestly think that CM Punk will retain at the Bash. I see Punk pulling out a win from out of no where and Batista turning heel by attacking Punk after the match in a fit of rage, then John Cena making the save, then Batista turning on Cena to solidifying his "bad guy" persona. Thus leading to the rumored Cena/Batista feud.

 

[Manjmonkey]

I can see punk retaining here because even though i dont like punk too much they wouldnt just give him the title to hold for 3 weeks and beating batista will make him as a champion seem worthy of the title. If they did make batista beat punk it would completely ruin any credibility punk had and make him come off as weak.

 

[Mr. Showtime]

I can see Batista turning heel tonight on RAW, well at least I hope he does because that's the only way this match is going to catch my intrest as a face vs face encounter between these two would be extremely boring.

On the other hand it wouldnt really make sense for Batista to turn heel tonight as Kane just turned heel last week and we don't want to over crowd RAW with heel's.

My understanding is that Punk is in line for a decent reign as WHC so take that for what it's worth although I can't imagine Batista losing to punk cleanly unless Batista turns heel.

I'm just going to sit back and see how this one plays out. Infact I'm not even going to predict a winner, RAW has been incredebly un-predictable as of late.

 

[sledge450]

There's no way i can see Punk dropping the strap so soon, so i'd say he's a banker to walk away from the ppv as champion. However, will it be a clean finnish? The thing i can see happening is perhaps JBL trying to interfere and cost punk the gold, before Cena attempts to make the save and inadvertintly costs batista the match, which plants the seed for the Cena/Batista match at mania. It wont kick off the feud, as i can see the wwe having it be a slow burning feud. Every now and again, just getting a bit more heated. Perhaps they might not even turn Batista heel, they might even attempt to have there feud similar to hogan/warrior i.e 2 faces. Would make there mania match much more interesting.
Another possibilty would be to have punk turn heel against batista, as anybody who watched punk during his indie years will agree the guy is a awesome heel, and i would argue could be as good a heel champ as edge.

 

[AnthonyMango/NoFate007]

Well, tonight sort of showed us what the most logical outcome will be.

Punk and Batista have a pretty even sided match (maybe with Batista looking the more dominant) and then Kane will come out and attack both of them. Punk retains.

Then, either there's a triple threat at Summerslam, or Punk faces someone else and we have a Batista/Kane match.

 

[TheOneBigWill]

Well, tonight sort of showed us what the most logical outcome will be.

Punk and Batista have a pretty even sided match (maybe with Batista looking the more dominant) and then Kane will come out and attack both of them. Punk retains.

Then, either there's a triple threat at Summerslam, or Punk faces someone else and we have a Batista/Kane match.

I'm mainly agreeing with this completely, and thats why it sucks.

Raw's Great American Bash matches are all going to be tossed out, or no contests. The only match Raw has that likely will have a winner, strictly because it must, is the Cena/J.B.L. parking lot brawl.

In my opinion though, Punk NEEDS to win this match. There is no second option, not even in the "Punk almost won/had it won, then Kane interrupted" situation. Kane can interrupt, helping Punk to win. Kane can attack Punk and Batista after the match is over.. but if Punk is going to be viewed as anything decent of a World Heavyweight Champion, then I'm sorry.. he MUST go over Batista in any type of fashion.. just so he can have a Pay Per View, World title defense.

Honestly, Batista could set him up for a Batista Bomb, only for Punk to hit the G.T.S. out of nowhere. He could win in that fashion. To have Punk win in fluke fashion really wouldn't even help him, because it won't prove he did it on his own, it'll show that he once again fell into victory.

Now then, I'm agreeing with NoFate007 because its almost rather obvious Kane will interfere. The question is, will Kane continue to go after Punk, or will he cost Batista the match? I think he'll cost Batista the match, Punk will get the win.. then not be happy about how it happened, so a Triple Threat at Summerslam can take place at which point Kane can hit Batista with a chokeslam, only for Punk to dropkick Kane out of the ring and.. *cough* fluke *cough* *cough* steal *cough* pick up the victory.

Sorry, I have allergies when I'm around fluke Champions.

 

[falcons53]

With Batista pinning Kane two weeks ago and attacking him last week, and with Kanes mental state being unstable, I can see Kane coming out and looking for revenge on Batista and costing him the match. I think the WWE is trying to push that Kane will be taking orders from his mask (his former monster self). The mask will tell Kane that he is weak and has let Batista push him around in the past weeks. Kane will then interfere in this match and we'll end up seeing a Batista-Kane match at Summerslam. Possibly an Inferno match that will lead to Kane putting his mask back on because will be burned by the fire? Just a thought.

 

[mrpaul]

I think we're all pretty much in agreement that Punk will somehow retain this Sunday.

Kane will almost certainly interfere and go crazy on them both and leave them both down on the canvas, only to reach inside his little burlap sack and pull out his mask, pyro hits and old Kane returns. I'm not really hot on the idea of Kane being masked again, I dont think it would achieve much, but what do I know?

Alternatively, his presence at ringside will distract Batista and Punk will get a roll up win, OR he'll attack Punk/Batista and one of them will get counted out.

Either way, theres no way that Batista will fall victim to the GTS. It would just look awful. As would a broken nose - see 'Snitsky'.

 

[DC24]

I think we're all pretty much in agreement that Punk will somehow retain this Sunday.

Kane will almost certainly interfere and go crazy on them both and leave them both down on the canvas, only to reach inside his little burlap sack and pull out his mask, pyro hits and old Kane returns. I'm not really hot on the idea of Kane being masked again, I dont think it would achieve much, but what do I know?

Alternatively, his presence at ringside will distract Batista and Punk will get a roll up win, OR he'll attack Punk/Batista and one of them will get counted out.

Either way, theres no way that Batista will fall victim to the GTS. It would just look awful. As would a broken nose - see 'Snitsky'.

I'm seeing great minds think alike; I also Kane being involved with match and Punk keeping the belt. Atleast I hope that happens cause if Batista wins they should have just let him Edge at Night of the Champions in my opinion.

 

[atomikenrtia]

I keep seeing "transitional champion" coming out and about from everybody on here. I have to ask: How do you all know this?

Were you given the direct word from Creative or, god forbid, McMahon that CM Punk is just a "transitional champion", just to get the belt back on RAW so that John Cena can rn with the belt for another 9 years until Randy Orton comes back?

Fact is: We'll know for sure just how "transitional" of a champion Punker is on Sunday after the Bash and his match with Batista. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing Punk hold onto the belt until Randy Orton comes back -- which would give creative some time to build Punk into a more "believable" champion, and really set up a good new feud between Orton and Punk (two of the "stars of the future" if you will)

So, with that all said. Punk retains at GAB. Possibly cleanly (and if that does, I expect these forums will burn. TheOneBigWill's head may explode. Nice.) Kane does make an appearance somehow, setting everything up for SummerSlam, where I wouldn't be surprised to see a Fatal 4 Way between Kane, Batista, Cena, and Punk.

 

[f_roEDGE]

I don't have high hopes either for this match. But suggestion would be to make a last minute announcement stating that the match will be No DQ.



Now, I will state 3 Reasons why I see Punk retaining:

1. Vince McMahon loves Punk, and wants to push him as the main guy (for the kids). CM Punk's drug free lifestyle is a great seller for WWE.

2. The Money in the Bank was earned by CM Punk, a face character. A transitional champion normally comes in the form of a heel. The WWE is surely gonna want a face to be a credible champion. Rey Mysterio's run was for 4 months for Christ's sake.

3. If WWE wants to save Batista for any kind of main event at Wrestlemania, they are going to have patience in giving him the title. Another lengthy run whould be ridiculous.


Now, if they are going to give the belt to Batista, don't expect to see Batista vs. Kane. I am pretty sure Punk will still be in the mix, and would probably win the title back in a rematch at Summerslam.

►My prediction?? Batista wins by DQ, after Kane interferes. Expect to see Cena vs. Punk at Summerslam.

Orton vs. Punk would be the biggest draw right now. Punk will hold that title until Orton comes back after Summerslam.

 

[RainbowHairedWarrior]

I think Punk wil retain it will then be Kane vs. Punk at Summerslam. I think WWE are going to give Punk as champion because he's not held a title for a long amount of time before. I don't think it'll be a spectacular match but it will be pretty brutal. As I said I expect to see more develop in the Punk Vs. Kane rivalry.

 

[daveluna]

i see Punk retaining as well, especially now that a tag team fatal fourway was added, so now the WWE can change a title on the PPV without having any of the main title title holders job. I also see Orton getting into the mix by summerslam, he is being rumored to do some house shows in August so I assume his injury is healing rather nicely, don't be shocked to see orton back sooner rather than later and don't be shocked to see a Batista heel turn sooner rather than later.

 

[RadioGaGa]

While I don't think Punk will be a long term champion, I do see him retaining here. If Punk lost here it would just be like admitting that Punk was a failure as champ, but if you're going to have him go over, have him go over strong to build him as a legit main eventer.
Whether these two have a good match is anyone's guess as Punk has never had a stand out match in the WWE, while Batista proved he isn't complete shit at WM23 against Taker.
I expect a completely average with Punk likely retaining hopefully cleanly, and then a possible Punk-Cena match at Summerslam.

 

[kylexxx]

CM Punk may have critics and naysayers questioning his ability to draw as Champion, but this week on Raw definitely can't add to that theory. CM Punk's segment was the highest rated of the entire show with the exception of the overrun which typically is the highest. His match with Kane also drew better than the six man main event featuring JBL/Rhodes/Dibiase facing Cena/Cryme Tyme.

Why would they have punk lose the title when he is pulling in consistent ratings that are higher than they have been for a long while.

I see punk winning, in his best interest cleanly, storyline wise a kane interference makes sense. Kane is used mostly to put talent over, especially when he is the psycho monster.

Should be a good match either way

 

[TNAw00t]

punk is my favorate guy in the wwe, if he loses at the bash, that would suck. give batista a break from the world title, punk just got it and batista has been fightin for it for like 100 years..i want punk to win cleanly but i dont really see that happening (if it did, that would be awesome) but i think kane or someone will interfere, or a countout

 

[PWAQfan]

I dunno, i may be the only one who can see this but.
I predict a CM Punk heel turn, we saw the batista heel angle on RAW and Punk got booed more then Batista, there was a massive pop.
Aswell as you saw Punks face and actions when Batista slapped him.
I see Punk keeping the title and actually doing something WITH kane, possibly with Bearer. i know Punk can do that evil heel routine, so who knows.
That is just my opinion on how i could see a few things pan out.

As for the match, i think it'll be decent Batista has done alot of work to improve his in-ring ability i'll give him that, hes jumping over peoples heads and mixing up his arsenal. Kudos to him, so i think it could be a good match.

PUNK TO WIN!

 

[image1986]

Well calling punk a fluke champion is kind of funny and praising edge as champ is ironic. Punk title win is no more of a fluke than every edge title win. Edge first heightweight and wwe title wins were money in bank after a match already happened and no one gets at him. Punk is not losing to batista cuz first off give batista the title won't make any sense and will bury cm punks career. It won't make batista weak cuz batista hasn't won that many matches since wrestlemania 24 so at this point his status is the same either way.

 

[mcflyboy]

I may have mentioned this already, but I'm sure the following will happen.

1. Punk will retain, due to interference by Kane (who attacks Batista at some point).
2. Kane vs. Batista at summerslam
3. Punk vs. Cena at summerslam for the title

My reasoning for these items are as follows:


1. Punk retains due to Kane attacking Batista.

The reasons for this are that Kane certainly seems to be getting pushed into a heel character, and has been suggested elsewhere on this board, a revitalization of his old mask-wearing gimmick. Last week on raw he said he had no interest in the title, and batista speared him, preventing him from hurting punk. Based on this, it seems logical that kane is going to go after batista to exact some revenge for interfering. This also seems like a logical conclusion to the GAB match because it will further build kane's character, and will also allow punk to retain without either him or batista losing momentum and looking weak.

2. Kane vs. Batista at Summerslam

Seems like a natural consequence of #1, above. Plus, the WWE does like putting big guys in the ring against each other.

3. Cena vs. Punk for the title at SS

There's no way (barring injuries) that Cena is not going to headline the raw side of summerslam. Just like there is no way that HHH is not going to headline the smackdown side. He's just too big and over right now. Even if my points #1 and #2 above are incorrect, Cena will be involved in a title match at summerslam. Plus, there's really no one else who would be a legitimate contender at this point. Maybe JBL, but I'd like to hope that the WWE is not going to build a JBL/Punk match with the expectation that it will be a big draw.


So those are my predictions. I could be off, but it certainly seems like this is the direction things are headed based on the title situation on RAW and what's been happening with Kane.

 

[Danmen001]

This will be an average match up, and nothing particularly special. That being said I hope and predict CM Punk wins. I really like Punk, and even though he is not fantastic I like him as champion and I am pretty sure he will retain.

Like I said the match will be nothing special really, Batista will get most of the offence in and Punk will come back for the win. Punk will likely win because of the fact he is the undergod currently.

The only thing i can see making Punk not winning is shock value. There was a poll on WWE.com, and it was who do yo think will win the belt. Punk was owning the polls, so the WWE will think they may trick us by giving Batista the belt. I really doubt it will happen though, which is ok because I want Punk to win.

 

[DC24]

I may have mentioned this already, but I'm sure the following will happen.

1. Punk will retain, due to interference by Kane (who attacks Batista at some point).
2. Kane vs. Batista at summerslam
3. Punk vs. Cena at summerslam for the title

My reasoning for these items are as follows:


1. Punk retains due to Kane attacking Batista.

The reasons for this are that Kane certainly seems to be getting pushed into a heel character, and has been suggested elsewhere on this board, a revitalization of his old mask-wearing gimmick. Last week on raw he said he had no interest in the title, and batista speared him, preventing him from hurting punk. Based on this, it seems logical that kane is going to go after batista to exact some revenge for interfering. This also seems like a logical conclusion to the GAB match because it will further build kane's character, and will also allow punk to retain without either him or batista losing momentum and looking weak.

2. Kane vs. Batista at Summerslam

Seems like a natural consequence of #1, above. Plus, the WWE does like putting big guys in the ring against each other.

3. Cena vs. Punk for the title at SS

There's no way (barring injuries) that Cena is not going to headline the raw side of summerslam. Just like there is no way that HHH is not going to headline the smackdown side. He's just too big and over right now. Even if my points #1 and #2 above are incorrect, Cena will be involved in a title match at summerslam. Plus, there's really no one else who would be a legitimate contender at this point. Maybe JBL, but I'd like to hope that the WWE is not going to build a JBL/Punk match with the expectation that it will be a big draw.


So those are my predictions. I could be off, but it certainly seems like this is the direction things are headed based on the title situation on RAW and what's been happening with Kane.

I couldn't have said it any better; the only way I see JBL in the title match at Summerslam if its a triple threat which is possible but there's no way Cena won't be in it plus I think they are saving Cena vs Batista until Wrestlemaina 25. Kane and Batista would be a interesting especially if its like a buried alive match or Hell in the Cell.

 

[Agrex]

I am interested in this match, just to see how bad it will be. Batista can be decent if he is paired with the right people, and CM Punk, well he's just CM Punk. I don't want to go too far into the Punk hating, because I don't hate him, I just don't think they should have given the title to him so early. But with that, I actually still want him to retain. Because it's still better than a Batista reign. Punk still has many potential feuds will Batista has nothing except for maybe John Cena.

As for the match, I would have rather seen a Triple Threat match between Punk, Kane, and Batista. But that didn't happen. I actually see Punk going over cleanly in this match, with a roll-up. Or have Kane involved in this match to set up Punk v. Kane at Summerslam, and Batista v. Cena for the No.1 Contendership for the title.

So, in a train wreck of a match I see Punk retaining.

 

[chasingamy]

Both Punk and Tista need someone good to work with that can carry them in the match and since both are in this one I’m scared it’s going to bomb. Punk’s booking should make you believe that he has no shot beating Batista. No one saw him becoming the world champion and no one expects him to retain. I think they’re going to run with the underdog, fluky champion a PPV or two. The way I see the match is that Tista dominates for Punk to make the late comeback and win via surprise rollup.

 

[psykohurricane]

This match was actually the match the made CM Punk look like he belong in the main event picture. Sure it ended in a double DQ and the action of Batista at the end of the match didn't help Punk at all but the match itself was pretty good and CM punk did look strong during the whole match. I was glad to see Punk use the anaconda vice since been way to long since he actually did that move on tv and i always thought that it was a better finisher then the GTS. Also i was impress that he actually lifted BAtista with ease into the GTS position. But like i said the ending ruin the match and the fact that all the fan support that Punk was getting during the match went out the window when batista attack him after the match.