**Merged** CM Punk Leaving WWE (KEEP ALL DISCUSSION IN HERE!!)

[Zeven_Zion]

Bah, at this point I highly doubt Punk will leave. Come on, they gave him a bunch of wins and now he's in a title match? I bet my ass Punk would beat Cena only to keep CM around. His contract expires in September. Punk's not going anywhere. At least he'll be the champ, just where he should be in the WWE.

However, if WWE loses him then I lose that spark of faith I have in them right now. I hope they're smarter than that. I really do.

 

[Mustang Sally]

His contract expires in September. Punk's not going anywhere.

Y'know, maybe that's the essence of the deal. If Punk wants time off, perhaps they told him to work until the match with Cena, then (win or lose) he can be given a vacation for the time remaining on his contract, returning in September to work under the terms of a new contract.

That way, everyone gets what they want......presuming, of course, that time off is what Punk wants. Hopefully, two months is enough for him.

 

[¡Roján!]

Well, as you all know, CM Punk announced he was leaving the WWE in a very good promo. The guy was very convincing in saying that he would leave the WWE, but with the WWE title.
Well, here comes the problem. I don't believe him. I mean think about it, when was the last time a WWE superstar announces he's leaving the company on his own free will? The last time I can think of was Batista because normally, most superstars go through the route of ''Loser leaves the WWE'' or just disappear with no reason. That was my first clue. Then, I remembered that i had seen on the main page an article stating that CM Punk's contract finished in September. So, why would Mr. Punk be leaving in july? Two months before his contract expires? It just doesn't make sense. Then, I heard off a friend that Punk did the same storyline in ROH when it was well known that Punk was leaving the WWE. And, for a while now, it has been well known throughout the ICW (hate the term) that Punk was thinking of leaving. So, my question for all of you... Do you think Punk's current storyline is just an homage to his ROH times and our stupidness in believing he was leaving (even though, he has signed another contract)? Or, Am I as delusional as R-Truth?

It's my first thread! Go easy on me.

 

[AntiChristDeicide]

Who knows, but judging by all that is written on wrestlezone Punk might be leaving. I say might, because there is always a chance that Punk and WWE can agree on a new deal and sign before July 17. Anyways we have to wait and see, until then there is no way to be sure if Punk is leaving WWE or not. Again from what i understand about what i have read on wrestlezone, Punk wants more down time and wants to keep his rights to his name ( a name he created by the way). This i guess has nothing to do with money.

 

[The Dragon Saga]

It's a renactment of his famous Summer of Punk storyline from Ring Of Honor. The same way the SES depicted many of his traits while he was a heel in ROH.

CM Punk is one guy who won't be called a "Sports Entertainer." The dude was vocal when the name change came in over Twitter, about how he was a wrestler, and nothing else. His contract expiring was knowledge that we all understood, rumors were true, even some down to the exact date.

Is he bluffing or is it a pre-organized storyline are two different things. Allowing Punk that much freedom is something uncharateristic of the WWE. Within two nights he slammed "Sports Entertainment", slammed the WWE's product and then labeled himself a wrestler, something WWE don't like. But we'll find out what's happening come July 17th.

The paralles between his ROH storyline and this are too much of a coincidence for this not all to be a renactment within the WWE. And if it is, and unless they plan to do something bigger much like then, CM Punk is done with the WWE come July 18th.

 

[Mac Attack]

I think he isn't bluffing, however I think there is still room for change.

The storylline is set, right? No. Anything can happen in the WWE. There is nothing from stopping Punk from signing a new deal with the WWE from now until the point. I think as of last night he was telling the truth but in the end it comes down to the money. Personally, I find the coincidence that his contract expires in his home town is a little strange so could something happen of course. I want to see how this plays out before I make a definitive statement. I think he will be around after the Money in the Bank PPV but I don't know. This is something I would have ran at Summerslam, but maybe the WWE was simply kind enough to let him have his last match in Chi-Town.

 

[WolfNyte]

I know his contract is up but some how I feel in my gut that he is once more "playing" everyone.

I can see him on Monday at Raw sitting in the audience or somewhere calling everyone a bunch of mindless idiots and how did we really think he would give up his money to work at some place lower on the pole. Just pulling out insult after insult.

I dunno what will happen but this is what my gut tells me and that we are ALL being worked by Punk and the E.

 

[jholcomb22]

Whether Punk is staying or going, he is taking time off. I really would like to see a storyline where Punk wins the title and leaves.

According to reports, Punk has not re-signed with WWE. They have a different opinion on his value. Now there is no debating, this MITB PPV is now completely surrounded around Punk. I think this is WWE's way of figuring out his value. If PPV buys are much higher than normal, they will meet his demands, and be able to keep him. Contrastly, if buys are on par with last years MITB or the PPV's this year, WWE will hold steady and Punk will, unfortunately, probably leave.

It is obvious that WWE values Punk. They put him on Raw, the flagship show. When he got injured, they kept him on air as an announcer, where, he actually got some of the loudest pops even though he was still a "heel." They let him go unscripted, whether it is wearing a Colt Cabana shirt, going to the top of the titantron, feigning a suicide jump (even though WWE is completely against such things since Owen Hart's death), or calling himself a wrestler in this sports entertainment era.

Punk is such a great character, and has done very well in this era. He could be a cornerstone in a transitional period as well. It appears WWE is moving back towards a less strict environment. The swear words have been appearing more frequently. Punk would be dominant as the #1 heel in this era that looks like a tweener between the PG era and the Attitude era.

To answer the original posts main question. I don't think Punk is bluffing that he is leaving. But I do think he is taking time off to relax, rest up, and heal up. When he is ready to wrestle again, I think he will be back in the E.

 

[The HEEL JuiceLee]

i think this is all a storyline that is going to help the WWE and CM PUNK.Punk want's to do something kinda like Jericoh is doing right now,i just dont think he wants as much time as Y2J is taking.My belief is @ MiTB punk will beat SUPER CeNa and the winner from the MiTB ladder match will come down in cash in for honor of the WWE.This does a few things,1 is it could help establish a big face on the Raw brand.I think it would be a great way for Alex Riley to keep his monentum(even thoe i think he can play a better heel).Or Mason Ryan could betray Punk & turn face.How about Jack Swagger becoming a back to back MiTB winner & turning face.2 it give Punk some great heel heat before he takes his time off.There are many options and i think doing a storyline like this can help all the parties involved.It also can help Cena to take off a few months,and will definately help who ever saves the WWE from Punk taking the belt home with him...

But if he is not bluffing i think it would be smart for the Heads of ROH to convince there new TV partner that Punk is what they need to get there TV product over & throw big money with a TNA type schedule at him.Punk is just what ROH needs and now is there chance to strike.
Either if Punk stays or goes to ROH or even TNA(will never happen) i will still be a fan as i believe with the proper booking he can be the biggest wrestling charecter of the next decade!!!

 

[rge2010]

I just hope Punk doesnt do a John Cena and keep buying tickets and showing up everyweek once he has 'left'. The John Cena firing angle was the worst storyline of last year, I hated it.

Maybe Punk was shooting last night in his promos? WWE want to keep him, that is very obvious, why wouldnt they so what are they going to do? Fine him for saying Wrestler? Is Vince going to rip him a new one for saying the W word? I dont think so.

They should be getting on their hands and knees and sucking his dick if you ask me. In the last 18 months, WWE has lost Jeff Hardy, Batista, HBK, Edge, Jericho and even Triple and Taker in a way...to lose 'another top star' is bad for business.

 

[Hulk Hogan's Brother]

From a kayfabe point of view, I feel that he is bluffing. I have heard that his contract expires in September, not in July and in any case he can work a few dates for the WWE even after his contract has expired if the storyline demands him to do so. After all Jeff Hardy and Batista have done the same in recent times.

I have a feeling that Punk will actually win the title at the MITB PPV and then show up on Raw the next day to tell the fans that he was playing with their minds and that he is not going away anywhere. In the following weeks I think that Punk will keep retaining the title from Cena by making use of the New Nexus to earn himself DQ wins. Then I think that sometime around Summerslam or at the PPV after that Cena will challenge Punk to a Career vs Title match. Punk will probably be confident after retaining the title against Cena a handful of times and will accept the challenge. Cena will win there and Punk will probably go on a break.

 

[steveom07]

i think this is all a storyline that is going to help the WWE and CM PUNK.Punk want's to do something kinda like Jericoh is doing right now,i just dont think he wants as much time as Y2J is taking.My belief is @ MiTB punk will beat SUPER CeNa and the winner from the MiTB ladder match will come down in cash in for honor of the WWE.This does a few things,1 is it could help establish a big face on the Raw brand.I think it would be a great way for Alex Riley to keep his monentum(even thoe i think he can play a better heel).Or Mason Ryan could betray Punk & turn face.How about Jack Swagger becoming a back to back MiTB winner & turning face2

Do you really think Alex Riley, Mason Ryan or Jack Swagger should be WWE champion. No offense but thats just plain stupid. I like the idea but the 3 people you mentioned are no where near ready to be WWE champion (again in Swaggers case).

Riley is in the middle of a push, hes done well but he's not ready for anywhere near that success.

Mason Ryan has 2(?) wins on Raw in the last couple months and Swagger is on the back of losing 3 times in a row to Evan Bourne.

I think CM punk will lose, I would love to see him win but its more likely he will lose and Cena will make him look weak. He will then leave and possibly return in the future.

One thing is for certain though, he WILL NOT go to TNA or ROH

 

[ultraviolence]

but maybe the WWE was simply kind enough to let him have his last match in Chi-Town.

Or maybe they are setting him up to make him look like a punk ass in front of his home town...doubtful, but maybe.

Whatever they are doing, it's going to be good, but I seriously doubt he is going anywhere. If anything, he is going to take some time off and then come back, say in September when his current contract actually expires, or at Summerslam to screw Cena out of the title or something like that.

 

[MinistryofDeath89]

Do you think the WWE are miss using Cm Punk by just putting him in the new nexus??
Is it just me or is Cm Punk only getting a WWE title shot because he won't sign a new contract with the WWE ??. Im hoping this is not the case because Cm Punk is a brillant Heel in the WWE 2day and well deserves a WWE title shot regardless whats going on with his WWE contract in my honest opinion Cm Punk should of gotten a title shot months ago... He's just wasting his time in the new nexus he should just leave nexus and challenge for the WWE title. I just think the WWE where miss using Cm Punk a few months ago by putting him in the new nexus, In my opinion the reason why Cm Punk isn't taking up his new contract with the WWE is because he just simply wants a break from the business which is understandable I say he will take a few months off and come back to the WWE and hopefully he will be in the WWE title picture not thrown back into that useless nexus.

So what do you think do you think WWE are just giving Punk WWE title shot because he won't resign ???

Do you think the WWE where miss useing him for the past few months??

Thanks

 

[Mac Attack]

Or maybe they are setting him up to make him look like a punk ass in front of his home town...doubtful, but maybe.

Whatever they are doing, it's going to be good, but I seriously doubt he is going anywhere. If anything, he is going to take some time off and then come back, say in September when his current contract actually expires, or at Summerslam to screw Cena out of the title or something like that.

That crowd absolutely loves him. In all honesty if he were to do something to screw the crowd and get heat then I say he must stay. If he draws any heat from that crowd he will automatically be in line to be the top heel in the company. I think the WWE are testing the waters. If this feud gets huge vieiwng and a lot of attention then I think they will offer him some serious money to come back ASAP, or not leave at all. If this feud ends up being a flop then I say Punk is gone, and most likely will not be coming back.

 

[SecondCitySaint]

One thing I'd like to discuss, if y'all don't mind. A lot of you on here are saying Vince wouldn't do this, Vince wouldn't allow that to happen...yada yada yada. Have you considered that this may be coming from Paul Levesque (HHH)???? We all know he is taking over much sooner than later. He may be someone who realizes Punk's worth to the company. Paul is already overhauling developmental. This could be one of his powerplays, so to speak.

 

[Notorious718]

Just when the IWC thinks they know what is going on with CM Punk’s contract status, the WWE directly turns that into an angle, while still appealing to the mass crowd. Brilliant. I love it when the WWE messes with the IWC like this. I didn't think they would explicitly mention Punk's contract expiration on television and then work it into a storyline. This is in my view, do or die for Punk and management. If Punk can prove himself in this feud as someone who can hang with the top dogs AND stay in that position, management may very well offer him a deal he'll take in order to keep him with the company. We really won't know if he's leaving or not until after MITB.

Personally, I'll be upset if Punk leaves. He's always been one of my favorite on screen characters, whether as a face or heel. He played his roles brilliantly and constantly evolved through the years. From his gimmick to his overall look, he always changed in order to keep himself fresh and reinvented. No, he's not physically jacked up but he's the total package of the ideal wrestler. His potential release will really upset me. I won't go so far as to say I'll stop watching WWE but it'll feel much emptier without Punk.

 

[berlinbrawler]

Punk is pulling a Jericho.

He goes out with a devastating loss against John Cena. He'll be gone for who knows how long. But eventually he will resurface as a huge babyface.

 

[xXBigEXx]

I would like to know how anyone can say they know anything about what's going to happen? I will only say what I HOPE happens, not what WILL happen cause that's just unknown. It's all speculation and this is so wide open you can't know what will happen.

With so many questions and POTENTIAL this really has, I can say I'm finally excited about something for once. I don't want to get into contract debates and such but what I can tell you is like Jim Ross has said, I will just sit back and watch as MNR has now gotten more interesting, and more than likely, more entertaining.

I will say I hope it's a work and I hope they run with him "leaving with the title." That is the more entertaining aspect of this angle. Him going under and being beaten by Cena would be a let down IMO. I would personally feel they would miss the opportunity at greatness if that happens.

He did this in ROH but he can take this to a whole other level IF his contract actually expires in September vs July 18th. If it's in September (which I feel it is) then please, PLEASE, run wild with the work. I cannot say that enough, lol. If it's July well, there you have it, there's the unpredictability of the whole story line.

If they do run wild with it, we will see something we've never seen before. The closest thing that was done with a title was back when Stone Cold stole the IC Belt from the Rock and threw in the river (or whatever body of water, I forget, lol). But to actually have the belt "taken" and "walking away" with the title. Come on, who would not love to see that happen? I also feel if that's the direction they go, go all the way. Don't have him in the arena on MNR. Have camera's out where he is outside is some other place. Have Cena hunt him down or someone hunt him down trying to get that title back to the WWE. It would make that EVEN MORE insane.

Remember when it really didn't feel like Cena was "fired?" Well, that was because he never left the arena. Do not have Punk in the arena and go for it.

I'm on a small rant, I apologize but this whole thing can be one HUGE event and can lead to something great and I can't wait for it to unfold. Or, it could be squashed by Vince and what I just got excited about was for nothing, lol. Either way, it has us talking, it has us wondering. It has most of us excited again, which is a great thing.

 

[WWWYKI777]

I just read an interesting perspective at http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-to-leave-wwe-quite-frankly-who-can-blame-him

This sentence stood out the most

He could easily win the title and then lose to a Money In the Bank winner before he leaves.

I think thats a brilliant idea

About the issue as a whole , I have little faith in WWE anymore and I fully expect them to do something stupid as hell. Such as having super Cena win followed by not actually making enough of an effort to keep Punk on board followed by no MITB cash in.

I also think that whoever wins each brands MITB will probably both be people who don't even need it like Miz/Sheamus , just because WWE is THAT fucking stupid as of late...

I hope to God that CM Punk comes over to TNA after his 90 day vacation errr I mean no compete clause expires , he would be SO PERFECT for TNA he exemplifies everything that TNA is about. QUALITY Wrestling. QUALITY wrestlers.

One thing is for certain though, he WILL NOT go to TNA or ROH

I have heard things saying that he is against TNA but how in the hell can any self respecting wrestler not like the current state of TNA wrestling and actually like the present state of the WWE? I think despite anything hes ever said... that he WILL do it...

 

[itssoeasy123]

I just read an interesting perspective at http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-to-leave-wwe-quite-frankly-who-can-blame-him

This sentence stood out the most



I think thats a brilliant idea

About the issue as a whole , I have little faith in WWE anymore and I fully expect them to do something stupid as hell. Such as having super Cena win followed by not actually making enough of an effort to keep Punk on board followed by no MITB cash in.

I also think that whoever wins each brands MITB will probably both be people who don't even need it like Miz/Sheamus , just because WWE is THAT fucking stupid as of late...

I hope to God that CM Punk comes over to TNA after his 90 day vacation errr I mean no compete clause expires , he would be SO PERFECT for TNA he exemplifies everything that TNA is about. QUALITY Wrestling. QUALITY wrestlers.



I have heard things saying that he is against TNA but how in the hell can any self respecting wrestler not like the current state of TNA wrestling and actually like the present state of the WWE? I think despite anything hes ever said... that he WILL do it...

I don't know, maybe the fact the WWE doesn't let their wrestler's wrestle high. That's one thing.

I don't think Punk will ever go to TNA. He has stated he has no faith in Hogan, he has trashed Russo's booking, and I don't think having The Hardy's there is gonna do him any favor's.

Truth me, being in WWE is like being in the MLB, that's what everybody strives to do at one point in their career. Why would Punk go from the biggest company in wrestling, that he get's better pay, and more relevancy, to a place that's virually non-existant on WWE's radar and he has personal problem's with some of the talent there?

 

[WWWYKI777]

I don't know, maybe the fact the WWE doesn't let their wrestler's wrestle high. That's one thing.

I don't think Punk will ever go to TNA. He has stated he has no faith in Hogan, he has trashed Russo's booking, and I don't think having The Hardy's there is gonna do him any favor's.

Truth me, being in WWE is like being in the MLB, that's what everybody strives to do at one point in their career. Why would Punk go from the biggest company in wrestling, that he get's better pay, and more relevancy, to a place that's virually non-existant on WWE's radar and he has personal problem's with some of the talent there?

Well I guess you have a point there he is all about straight edge and RVD , MCMG , Hogan , the Hardys... etc are all stoners as far as I know... probably some of the others as well

But if TNA can produce such a good product while high as a freaking kite , what the hell are the people at WWE on?


Edit : Oh yeah , I don't really get it... I mean I get it WWE is financially and notoriously the biggest wrestling promotion on the planet but does that even matter anymore when they've lost their integrity and the product of the show is going down the toilet?

You mentioned the MLB but what if the MLB made new rules stating that only the Braves & Yankees could play full games or compete for the championship and all the other teams got to do 1 inning long games with only the winner of the fail 1 inning long games tournament getting to be the only other team to ever get a chance to compete for the gold.... thats basically what WWE has become

 

[xXBigEXx]

You honestly feel that having him win and then having the MitB winner cash in to have him lose the title is a "brilliant" idea?

The only thing that would be "brilliant" about a MitB cash in even being booked would be if that MitB winner tries it and LOSES. That would only add on to Punk's success of being the only 2 time MitB winner.

I have brought that up in all of my posts since this story line started and I'm quite surprised no one has commented on that. I'm not acting like it's the best idea just no one has shot that down or liked it neither.

To me, that would not be "brilliant" to have what you suggested to happen. It would make what you feel is already unimpressive, even more so as it would come across as pure lazy booking. It's lazy as that is the most predictable and most unoriginal, hell, even more so than a loss to "Super" Cena.

With you saying that would be "brilliant" it makes your Punk/TNA remarks even more laughable. Keep praying to God that he goes to TNA, and I'll keep laughing when he doesn't.

 

[WWWYKI777]

Well your options are

1.Cena wins CM Punk just loses... whoop dee friggin doo....

2.CM Punk wins and just leaves with the title (Why booking would let him do that is beyond me)

3.CM Punk wins and is cashed in on so that he tried to leave with the tile but the title gets taken back and we have a new champion whos not Cena... and Punk was leaving anyway

You're insane if you'd rather see Cena just retain now THAT is lazy booking that would only continue the stale bullshit they've been doing lately

I mean unless your idea is that an evil unicorn descends from the rafters and murders them both and takes the title and then Drew McIntyre cashes in on the unicorn and beats him with a 900 degree backflip frogsplash and then pulls a zipper on his back revealing that hes really an alien if you want to get "un-lazy" about the booking....

From a REALISTIC perspective CM Punk winning and getting cashed in on on his way out is the coolest direction they could go with this , it really is....

 

[xXBigEXx]

I never said I WANTED to see Cena win. If you actually read my post prior to this you'll know what I would want to happen.

1. Cena wins, it would blow. Only thing is, is he just won this thing 2 months ago.
2. Punk wins, you book this if his contract expires in September to work us hard. You book this for something different ONLY if it expires in September. You book this if it that's true because it's NEVER been done. You book this so it's not same boring shit you keep talking about.
3. MitB winner cashed it and wins. You book this IF it expires in July. It's your lazy ass out you got if you don't want Cena as champion.

As you can tell here it's all based on if September is the true date of expiration (which has been reported here at WZ) or if July is the true date. If it's September you go option 2, if it's July then I can give a fuck cause that would ultimately be the disappointing outcome.

So option 3 only has that slight use. It still would be disappointing. It would not be the "coolest" option if all the above reasons would allow option 2 to work. If it expires in September you have plenty of time up until Summer Slam to work that puppy the way it should.