** MERGED ** CM Punk undergoes emergency knee surgery (keep it in here!!!!)

[Boourns]

He's been working injured for several weeks, I'm pretty sure he can work for 5 minutes in a couple of weeks time at TLC. The title doesn't need to be vacated. They can easily write around this for example: At TLC the bell rings, Ryback builds a "feed me more" chant whilst CM Punk cowers with a broken leg and begins to set up the Meat Hook clothesline, Punk low blows him and the Shield run in (with new members) and attack Ryback - CM Punk gets a cheap pin and leaves with the championship (and then doesn't have to wrestle again until the Rumble next month.) Another direction could be to have the Shield fight on Punk's behalf and if they lose Ryback wins the championship. Since, it would be no DQ, anyone can run in and anything can happen to allow Punk to keep the championship - If they want that to happen. -

 

[Imbtr10u]

If they make it through TLC with a replacment match say ryback vs the shield or Heymen, then all of a sudden you can make the rumble for the belt, u can still have rock win it and have Cena win the money in the back even tho its super unpopular, have him come out with the case stare rock down under the wrestlemania sign, have Taker win it like it was being rumourd then have a returning CM Punk challange for his title and the streak at mania or have zigler keep the case and come down as the 31st entrant,any way u do it having the title on the line in the rumble match can make a bunch of money.

 

[keehlnate]

No, I don't think this is a work. John Cena's elbow surgery was reported similar to this a few months ago. As for that "knee injury" of Cena that happened on RAW, well its obviously fake.

This is a disastrous ending for Punk's reign, and the big plans for him against The Rock. The plans will be screwed and they will be looking for a replacement. I bet Johnny boy will step up once again while Ryback will be held back by the shield.

 

[kcoe24]

http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2012/1204/558457/cm-punk-out-of-tlc/ so it looks like the injury isn't bad enough that he will miss the royal rumble but this still hurts TLC badly and it forces the shield into a match before wwe had planed and more than likely lose.

 

[Pedigree1]

This is kinda of out of the gate sort to speak. You dont go to the famous Dr James Andrews just for a routine cleaning on anything nevermind your knee. If this is indeed serious i could see him forfeiting the title on smackdown. His 380 day reign as champion is nothing short of impressive.

What i dont get is why do people say he is a transitional champion?? He is anything but that. Dude draws legit heat,can wrestle pretty much circles around anyone he sees fit. (You ever talk to him on Twitter? If your a fan of his he will not respond to you). His Knee surgery from what i read is minor and he can work through it.

I have also read that he has been in pain for awhile now so nothing new on this front. I want him to hold on to the title past WM! I mean really would a reign of two years be bad? Remember Hogan damn there 4 year reign? Bob backlunds 5 year Reign? Punk to me is beyond dropping the title to a part time wrestler like the rock. But thats another story.

I just hope his knee is not as bad as it may seem

 

[Mitch Henessey]

This has to be legit, because I honestly can't see an upside to having a kafaybe injury storyline so close to the Rumble. Rock and Punk have already taken shots at each other, and a title match at the Rumble has tons of potential. It could be a big money match up, so WWE and Punk working the fans wouldn't make too much sense. And WWE has put a lot of time and effort into the Punk/Ryback feud, so why would they scrap the match at TLC for a kayfabe injury storyline?

Tough break for Punk, but shit happens. It'll be interesting to see WWE's plan B for TLC, and hopefully, Punk will be ready to go, when Wrestlemania rolls around.

 

[Kodo Sawaki]

They changed a match to TLC PPV to be Ryback and Hell No against Shield. I guess its legit...

They invested too much in Rock/Punk match at RR and he will be back soon, so there is no point in stripping him the title. Wonder how will they explain the whole situacion on next Raw...

 

[Brothervis]

The people saying it's legit also believed his work shoot was a shoot. This is setting up the triple threat at WM between Cena Rock and of course the favorite person of the hypocritical parasites on this website Punk. Cena is setting up Ziggler's face turn when he beats him at TLC. The tension between Vickie and Ziggler will be shown. Didn't they do a angle a few years back where her and Big Show were making out.

 

[justinsayne]

I really don't think this is much to worry about, from what I understand the typical recovery time for this type of surgery (a scope on the knee), is 1-3 weeks, which means in all likelihood as long as they keep him off the road & he doesn't do anything stupid that would set him back he should hopefully be back in time for TLC. My guess is the 1-3 week recovery time is the reason was he was rushed in for emergency surgery.

 

[JaylisJayP]

He's been working injured for several weeks, I'm pretty sure he can work for 5 minutes in a couple of weeks time at TLC. The title doesn't need to be vacated. They can easily write around this for example: At TLC the bell rings, Ryback builds a "feed me more" chant whilst CM Punk cowers with a broken leg and begins to set up the Meat Hook clothesline, Punk low blows him and the Shield run in (with new members) and attack Ryback - CM Punk gets a cheap pin and leaves with the championship (and then doesn't have to wrestle again until the Rumble next month.) Another direction could be to have the Shield fight on Punk's behalf and if they lose Ryback wins the championship. Since, it would be no DQ, anyone can run in and anything can happen to allow Punk to keep the championship - If they want that to happen. -

Wow, I'd definitely not pay $50 to see that. Not dogging you personally, because that's something likely to happen. Just WWE as a whole right now.

If Punk can't go at TLC, they shouldn't keep the match the same. I'd be pretty pissed off if I did pay $50 for the main event only for it to last 5 minutes and have the Shield come in, which would be unbelievably predictable and repetetive. Odds are if people think that's going to happen, I can see the buyrates being as a record low for this PPV. Of course, then they'd just make Cena the main event again...problem solved, said WWE and nobody else.

 

[shooter_mcgavin]

I really don't think this is much to worry about, from what I understand the typical recovery time for this type of surgery (a scope on the knee), is 1-3 weeks, which means in all likelihood as long as they keep him off the road & he doesn't do anything stupid that would set him back he should hopefully be back in time for TLC. My guess is the 1-3 week recovery time is the reason was he was rushed in for emergency surgery.

Yes but I would rather have Punk sit this match than risk aggravating his injury and be shelved until after WM. TLC is a gimmick PPV so if they slap a few more "stipulation" matches in the card to make up for Punk's in-ring absence.

 

[Brother Love]

I guess this is legit as there is a story on the wrestlezone page saying the title match is off and it is now a 6 man tag with Ryback, Brian & Cain vs the Shield. This could all change but from a story line standpoint, it makes sense. Guess we'll all find out Monday how this plays out and how they'll set it up. More than likely Punk gets taken down/out early in the show, the Shield will interfere with the Hayman/Ryback match, Cain & Brian will come out for the save and presto the match is changed.

I'm kind of glad in a way, now Ryback doesn't have to lose another match to Punk and weaken his character anymore.

 

[mikeyado]

Allow me to indulge in just a smidge of fantasy booking here. Lets assume that the injury is legit but that it's only going to keep Punk out for 3-4 weeks and he'll be fit for the Rumble. (We've got to assume that anyway surely, if it was torn ligaments and he was going to be out for 6-9 months, the belt would be off him already). Now, to continue...

The Shield get a flukey win at TLC, when they're celebrating, out comes Punk and Heyman to celebrate with them, followed by.....Vince. They make out like the injury was a work, even though it wasn't. Vince says he wants to protect his most valuable, marketable asset- Punk and his title reign, from Ryback. So Vince, Heyman and Punk contrived this whole injury front, legitimized by a Chairmans letter on the website, to keep Punk away from Ryback. Imagine the heat for Punk- in league with McMahon and messing around the fans?

They can run with it too- Vince goes old school with Punk's match against The Rock and screws Rock out of a win at the Rumble. Think attitude era with Vince and Austin, knocking out refs etc. Vince protects his champion and gets revenge on the Rock for deserting the company etc. Massive pops for the Rock as he opposes them and INCREDIBLE heat for Punk.

If they dared- keep it going til Mania and have him go over either the Rock again or....unthinkably.....Taker. Punk could be the biggest heel in WWE history if he pulled that one off.

Then......imagine the Face pop for the man who eventually takes the belt off him and ends he and Vince's reign of terror?! Ziggler, Orton, Ryback, whoever it is. Their career is made for life.

It's fantasy booking, I know, but it's not that implausible and if done correctly, could work so, so well.

 

[JaylisJayP]

It's not completely out of the realm of possibility that this is partly a work...easily booked as yet another way the Punk avoids having to face Ryback or having someone help him. I imagine the surgery was real, but they could always play it off like it was another slimy move by Punk to further his heel character.

 

[LoudClearVoice]

Just make the Royal Rumble for the belt and then either have the Rock win the Royal Rumble and the winner of the RAW elimination chamber faces him at Wrestlemania OR have someone win the belt on the RAW after TLC and then have Rock win the belt at the Rumble as was planned.

 

[strangephish]

My guess is the surgery was already planned and there was never any intent of having him fight at TLC.

They used the Ryback attack on Raw to write him out of the storyline (also guaranteeing he faces the Rock at the Rumble) and replaced it with the new 6 man main event.

 

[Chris "The Show" Adams]

This knee injury has probably been a nagging injury for awhile. If I could take a guess he probably just losing cartilage in his knee or has a low amount which isn't a major. My dad and I have had those problems. He'll just have to rest for 2 to 4 weeks. What I can see happening is maybe CM Punk has to relinquish his title next week they have a tournament that have matches on RAW, Main Event, and Smackdown! and the final round can be at TLC, maybe incorporate Cena and Ziggler. Whoever wins faces The Rock at Royal Rumble, The Rock wins. CM Punk returns as a mystery entry win the Rumble match. Punk/Rock at Mania for the Main Event

If he could wrestle in the rumble why not attempt the match with the rock? i mean yea he could enter it number 30 and do no work except eliminate ryback or undertaker if the rumors of him being in the rumble are true but if you can do that then i would still attempt to wrestle the rock that night. And who says you have to drop the title if the injury only sits you out for one ppv and a few rawa its not like punk vs ryback in a tlc match was a big draw anyway... we already knew the winner and basically the finish so maybe WWE is realizing they were gonna make both guys look stupid and came up with this?
If punk does drop the title by injury bring him back a face that wants his title! the crowds gonna go nuts when he returns if hes out past the rumble so maybe have him interfere in the rocks match at mania and cost him the title to somebody like cena or even undertaker again would be awesome.

 

[HBsam31]

I could see this being an injury being something that was nagging him, and the plan all along being him not wrestling at TLC. I really hope this doesn't mess up plans for him and Rock at Rumble. I have been looking forward to this match since Rock got the title shot. I would hate to see Punk's reign come to an end due to injury.

 

[Kizzani]

Well well well. I am not sure what is more true the shirt CM Punk wears or that Kharma is a Btch.

Cm Punk's shirt says "I am a Paul Heyman guy". Now it is truer than ever. Punk gets "Mysteriously hurt" and is going to sit on the sidelines milking his injury because he is afraid of getting his azz kicked and dropping his title just like another Heyman guy his name is Brock Lesnar. Brock did the same crap in the UFC using a stomach injury to delay the beating of his life which would force him to retire. I need to get a custom shirt made front says "I am a paul Heyman guy" the back will say " That means I am a bitch".

Kharma CM punk wants to play like he is the best in the world, because he is holding a title that is decided who should have it by fan reaction and goofy old guys sitting around a table creating ideas. WoW he surpassed Cena's title reign, but he couldn't stay healthy for it.

I am so glad CM punk finally did surpass Cena he has defeated all oncomers and he has came out on time, He might as well retire since there is no one int he world who can beat him ever he is so good. Lets just let him stay home and collect his money and dissolve the wwe title. Nothing is as boring as watching a moron hold the title for over a year AKA Cena, Punk Hogan, Diesel and more. I don't care who it is over a year is boring.

 

[amodernphoenix]

WWE has always stood firm by their rule that if any one of their champions does not defend their belt in 30 days, they are stripped of the title. They've used it in storylines quite a few times in the past and it is one of the longest-standing rules that they still enforce.

With CM Punk getting knee surgery (and he definitely did get the surgery, it's not a work), what will happen? His last title defense was on November 18, so if he doesn't defend it by December 18th (exactly 30 days), the title will be forfeited according to WWE rules. He's already been written off TLC on the 15th of December and will not be able to defend it the next day on Raw either.

According to his surgeon, CM Punk will be out of action at least 3 weeks, not returning to action until after Christmas. Will he be stripped of the title?

 

[Brewski]

Lol when does WWE ever follow their own "rules"? Worst case scenario he'll defend it on a raw

EDIT: Actually championship dark matches happen often so that could very well count.

 

[AndThat'sTheBottomLine]

He's been defending the title on house shows and I think they count. Not 100% sure but he's also defended it in after RAW dark matches. Again not 100% sure they count but it's worth noting.

 

[amodernphoenix]

WWE hasn't officially recognized those matches as title matches and they've never been taped for television either. Also, has he defended it in any dark matches since Survivor Series?

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

It's a good rule, it can provide good storylines and in that way make a bad thing like an injury turn into good entertainment on their weekly shows. I understand why Vince didn't want to take the championship out of CM Punk - and it's simple - he wants The Rock to be the one to end Punk's reign and it's a good old school booking - the returning hero beats the villain for the championship. It will be part of the history books, it's way more marketable than "CM Punk's reign ended with an injury and The Rock won it at Rumble against someone with no momentum".

This clause is something old school, and old school is important specially nowadays. It's hard to the creative team to do something different than what was already done, so in my mind they need to invest in what happened in the past and transport that into our time. Some other rules that I for once would like to see applied again is the 2 out of 3 falls match for the WWE Championship at house-shows, specially when we have an heel champion. Wrestling fans are changing, they want the old school back even without realizing it - they want the great wrestling matches, everything now comes to the wrestling match and that is one of the things that guys like Lou Thesz, Antonio Rocca, Jake Roberts (...) were really proud to give us.

I don't think CM Punk should vacate his championship, I think he should drop it to The Rock and go on to face for instance someone like Brock Lesnar, Triple H or The Undertaker. In the last three months WWE has really protected Punk, he is exclusive to the Raw brand, he is saved only for the main event, and when he appears early is to set the stage for the main event of the show - which makes me think he will turn face in the near future but these time he will be able to go toe-to-toe with John Cena because he showed his talents and he was protected to be like an experience, a rare one to see and a true main eventer.

 

[King Patrick Star]

Here are the possible scenarios I would like to see play out.

1. CM Punk forfeits the WWE Championship, Rock wins at the Royal Rumble and…FINALLY…debuts the Brahma Bull Belt. Of course he would proceed to lose to Cena and Mania, evening up the score at 1 a piece, and naturally allowing Cena to bring the Bling back and we move onward.

2. Everything in option 1, but with CM Punk returning after WM debuting a brand new WWE Championship Belt, claiming he’s the real WWE Champion.

3. Brock Lesnar defends the Title for CM Punk until he returns. Hell, I’d even have Punk on the wrong end of the Finger Poke of Doom from Lesnar.

I’m going to go option 1

I really just want to see it on TV!!