No Way Out: Chavo Guerrero vs. CM Punk

[A.J.]

ECW Championship Match
Chavo Guerrero (C) vs CM Punk​

For the first time in 2008, CM Punk finds himself on the challenging end of an ECW Championship Match on pay-per-view, as he meets Chavo Guerrero for the gold at No Way Out.

Despite a slew of Punk’s victories over Guerrero in early January, it only took one fortuitous night – and much assistance from the Rated-R Superstar – a few weeks ago for Chavo to seize the ECW Title. Adding another glimmer to the “Guerrero family” jewels, Chavo also made good on his New Year’s Resolution to become ECW Champion.

The Straightedge Superstar quickly retaliated against his rival and embarked on the road to reclaim the title. Punk turned the champion into a cham-piñata during Chavo’s celebratory fiesta, then sent the Mexican Superstar for a short swim in his native country’s body of water in the first-ever Gulf of Mexico Match.

It would appear that the Straightedge Superstar is en route to a second title reign. And, if the challenger can pin Chavo on pay-per-view – just as CM Punk has done in tag team action heading into the event – the Land of the Extreme could very well crown a new ECW Champion at No Way Out.

Can Punk keep an eye on the Guerrero clan? Will the Ultimate Opportunist or his main squeeze, SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero, again play a critical role in who bears ECW gold?

 

[Capt. Charisma]

I feel sorry for Chavo, he isn't that bad a ring worker, or even mic worker but he just is missing something. Certainly not deserving of a world title anyway. I do like the guy but I dunno if he has what it takes, I would like to be proved wrong, and who knows maybe a world title run will bring the best out in him. I think he will retain here, but maybe lose it to Punk at mania, we'll have to see how it goes. This has the potential to be a decent match, just depends which Chavo turns up.

 

[A.J.]

See I think this is where Chavo loses the gold as I just dont see WWE having Chavo with the gold going into Wrestlemania. When you think about it is really pointless to have the gold on Chavo in the first place as he will lose here at No Way Out. This is not a match that I am looking forward for the damn fact this is liek the 1 millionth time we have seen this match least WWE could add some gimmick to it if they haven't got two chambers match already. I would be shocked to see Chavo walk out with gold, but this is the WWE and anything can happen, but more likely Punk will win his belt back with Chvo getting his rematch on ECW the next night. But really this match is pointless to be on the card and we have seen it before.

 

[C.M.]

I think this match it's going to be the opener at No Way Out because Vince doesn't care about ECW,Chavo is going to retain the ECW title by cheating or maybe by the help of Vickie,Edge or maybe the Edgeheads so they can end this feud at Wrestlemania 24 with Punk winning. Should be a good 7 minutes opener match. Punk might win back the ECW title if WWE doesn't want Chavo going into Wrestlemania 24 as champion but I think Punk is better at chasing the title instead of holding it.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

This will be just like the Punk/Morrison feud. There won't be anything truly awful about it, but they just won't click. It'll be a fine match. Nothing spectacular. Punk loses. I then see him going into a rage of sorts. See: Edge/Rey threads.

 

[a7xoff]

What a surprise this match is... I actually do not know who's going to win this thing though. On one hand Chavo just got the belt not too long ago, and the group that he's involved with is probably the biggest faction in the WWE right now, and I can see them getting his back during the match. On the same page though.... I can't exactly see Chavo holding the belt until Mania. Besides Punk, there are really no faces on ECW unless they give Kane a run or something like that, who are really in position to make a run at the title. If Chavo wins, or looses I expect to see this match, with possibly a gimmick thrown in at WM

 

[Steamboat Ricky]

This match will be a snoozer. I don't really understand what they are trying to do with this belt, exactly, as the champions that have held it have decreased in prominence considerably since RVD, Big Show, and Lashley were carrying the strap.

I understand that they need to bring resolution to this crappy feud, but what I still am not understanding is: Where does Kane fall into the formula for NWO? I mean, he should be in the EC, and he very well could have been put in this match to make it triple threat. But he isn't even on the card. Put Kane in this match and give the belt SOME respectability back. Or, just get rid of ECW. That would be the best decision.

 

[Agrex]

Sleeper match, right here. I don't see this match doing anyhting better, and as an above poster said; this will probably open the show. I see Chavo winning this match, only to lose the title to Punk in the following weeks on ECW. I just don't think WWE will keepthe title on Chavo heading into 'Mania. Overall should be a short match, not a good one. Hopefully this feud ends before 'Mania.

 

[TheGreatMurphy]

Chavo vs Punk, hmmm can't see this fued going on longer than after NWO, I agree with everyone else on here that it will be a sleeper match. Punk could be a challenger on either smackdown or raw for the US or IC Belts. Chavo's only success as a singles competitor has been the cruiserweight title, but since that has been deactiviated, Maybe after this run with the ECW belt they'll bust him down to the midcard and have hime fued with Benjamin for a few weeks, but who knows what McMahon is thinking!!!

 

[TheAnswerTW]

IDEAL SCENARIO:

Let Chavo lose at NWO due to DQ and take the title going into WM! Then after Edge retains against Taker have him screw Chavo out of the title making it look like a mistake.

The following Friday on Smackdown Edge spears Vikki and tells the world it was all his in his plans just to make sure he won at WM and he done it on his own. Vikki leaves smackdown dejected never to return. Chavo becomes babyface and stays on ECW after a short fued with Edge on smackdown!

This ensures the following!

No more Vikki!
Edge becomes an even bigger heel!
Chavo who is great in the ring! Helps Punk in ECW have gr8 matches vs the heels Morrison, Miz, Burke, Benjamin!
Gives Edge a NEW fued for a few months before building onto his next Major Fued vs Jeff Hardy!

Anyone really disagree?!

 

[taker #1]

I really believe this is the rebirth of Chavo's career. He has been apart of this bussiness along time, and this is along time coming. He's following in the footsteps of his family like his father and Eddie. He is still not a big enough name to host the biggest stage of them all. So let him lose the title at NWO or in the following weeks on ECW. But I see bright things in his future. He'll win the title back after Wrestlemania and thats when his career will blossom. The WWE must have great things instore for Chavo because why would they give him a world title?

 

[crazy88]

I still can't comprehend this match. WWE has this match back asswards. CM Punk should still be the ECW champ, and Chavo the challenger. Also, I think Chavo's the wrong guy in the match. Don't get me wrong. Chavo's really talented in the ring, can be effective on the mic when given the opportunity, but they (creative) just did not set up feud very well. Spending 3 months building up Shelton Benjamin seems a waste of time. He doesn't seem to busy at the moment, so why not have Shelton in Chavo's place and build up Chavo in a similar to Shelton.
But, back to this match. This match is perfect.... for grabbing your snacks and going outside to smoke. I really like Punk, think he's a great talent and his future is bright. Chavo's getting a push he very richly deserves(hope it lasts awhile). I see this match ending in DQ and Chavo retaining, with Punk getting the title back sometime before WrestleMania.

 

[richardishere]

The only good thing that i saw come out of Chavo becoming champion, was that in doing so, it only made Edge who helped him win look that much stronger, not only has he beat CM Punk, but that proves that Chavo could not have won the title by himself. This match will probably open NWO, and quite frankly that's where it belongs, gonna be a bore until the final minute and a half. I see chavo retaing by DQ, and taking to WM which will be like the 10th time or so that we see Punk vs Chavo, so no good. If WWE is smart i say add in another person or two to chase the title as well, i would like to see Benjamin pick it up and finally get his push, but only time will tell.

 

[wrestlingfan701]

Crap match, Chavo loses the belt back to Punk. So Punk can face Benjamin at Mania. Because if you think about it realistically, why would they have sent benjamin to ECW and be constantly pushing him week in and week out if they weren't setting up Punk v Benjamin at Mania. As for Chavo, good worker but just doesn't have 'IT'.

 

[reanimat3d]

this should be an alright match, with Chavo retaining the title by DQ.
has anyone thought of the idea of Shelton Benjamin interfering in the match simply because he feels that he deserves to be the #1 contender or champion or something, only to have Kane jump in & lay him out.
the aftermath: your opening match on the WM24 card, a Fatal 4-Way for the ECW championship, with Kane defeating Chavo and The Big Show returning to ECW to feud with him, CM Punk is drafted to Smackdown to continue his feud with Chavo (or possibly MVP, for the U.S. Championship?) & Benjamin is forgotten, again.

 

[TheOneBigWill]

Unfortunately, this match has been more watered down than the entire brand of Extreme Championship Wrestling. Its every Tuesday that these two are wrestling, and its even drug on to every other Smackdown in Tag Team contests.

By the time this match gets around to happening, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if everyone in the arena just gets up together and rushes to the bathroom, or food stands. Its been poorly booked, and even more horribly done.

I originally felt Chavo Guerrero being the E.C.W. Champion was a great thing, especially with aligning him with Edge. However, what has it gotten us? Not honestly anything. The ONLY way I can see this match going in Chavo's favor, is for the favorable match-up at Wrestlemania, in which Chavo Guerrero v. Rey Mysterio, in an extreme 2 outta 3 falls contest.. like how Mysterio had before in the old E.C.W. -- Thus, allowing Mysterio to become the next E.C.W. World Heavyweight Champion.

As far as this match is concerned.. just youtube the previous two monthes worth of Tuesday night E.C.W., because it won't be anything new.

 

[kszonew]

If this is a step above their previous matches it might be good. But I doubt it will be anything different. I've been looking through some of my tapes recently and was surprised at how much more I enjoyed Chavo's matches back in WCW and earlier in WWE. I think as a character he's better now, but the matches are same old/same old.

 

[Slim Pickns]

Its just way to hard to get excited about this match. You know its had terrible build up when the PPV is this Sunday, and you forgot if there was even an ECW Title match on it.

I never saw the point of putting the belt on Chavo. If Punk wins, it makes Chavo the worst Champ in the short and borderline embarrassing linage of that belt. If Chavo wins, he is a "World Champion" going into Wrestlemania, which given his recent track record, is a joke. I guess the only thing creative could have been thinking is that the ECW Title won't be showcased at Mania, so it doesn't matter who the champ is. The wrestling will be solid, but its just not an exciting fued.

 

[TheOneBigWill]

Its just way to hard to get excited about this match. You know its had terrible build up when the PPV is this Sunday, and you forgot if there was even an ECW Title match on it.

I didn't forget there was an E.C.W. Championship match at No Way Out. Unfortunately, I wish I could've though. I find it hard to believe anyone could forget these two are wrestling for the Championship.. especially if you watch E.C.W. or Smackdown, because they've been fighting each other on every other show in single's matches left and right.

This feud was destroyed before it ever got the chance to build. And the worst part is, it was likely the best thing for them to do, to make the feud worth anything. (shoving it down our throats, I mean) Because if they wouldn't of had these two wrestling each show they were on.. chances are, noone would give a shit that they'd wrestle tomorrow night.

I never saw the point of putting the belt on Chavo. If Punk wins, it makes Chavo the worst Champ in the short and borderline embarrassing linage of that belt. If Chavo wins, he is a "World Champion" going into Wrestlemania, which given his recent track record, is a joke.

I don't think if Chavo loses it'll make him a less credible Champion.. but its pointless for C.M. Punk to be the one that wins the Championship back. He'd become the E.C.W. version of John Cena, in how he'd drop the title, only to win it directly back a month later.

I think unfortunately, Rey Mysterio was in line to become the next E.C.W. Champion off of defeating Chavo Guerrero at Wrestlemania, however due to the injury, they'll likely give Punk the Championship back.. and then Shelton Benjamin, hopefully.

However they decide to go about it, the Championship is losing its steam, as its being handed around almost every other month. And its going back to the same face, to hand it to another heel.

I guess the only thing creative could have been thinking is that the ECW Title won't be showcased at Mania, so it doesn't matter who the champ is. The wrestling will be solid, but its just not an exciting fued.

I'm not exactly sure the match will be solid. You know, it reminds me of the Morrison/Punk match. I loved their fued more than this one, but each of their matches just never lived up to par.. until the match that Punk finally won the Championship. The only question I really have is, did even that match live up to hype.. or was it simply because most of us knew it was the end of the feud?!

So, tomorrow night.. will the Chavo/Punk match live up to anything as being their best match yet? Or will it just be all of us simply hoping its their final match, so we want to assume its naturally their best one.

 

[Slim Pickns]

^^ Its not that I forgot Chavo was facing Punk, its that I don't get the sense its for a World Title. I know the WWE doesn't see the ECW belt being on par with The World Heavyweight or the WWE Title, but they could at least try to acknowledge it as something special. There were multiple PPV's in 2007 were it opened the show and was on before the women's title.

Look at the hype going into the chambers and the Title match. You can't even trick yourself into thinking that the ECW Title is going to be showcased well.

 

[TheOneBigWill]

^^ Its not that I forgot Chavo was facing Punk, its that I don't get the sense its for a World Title. I know the WWE doesn't see the ECW belt being on par with The World Heavyweight or the WWE Title, but they could at least try to acknowledge it as something special.

Well, for starters the E.C.W. Championship isn't what the W.W.E. Championship or the World Championship are, or ever were. The E.C.W. Championship was a Heavyweight title of a small promotion that made it huge. Whereas the World Heavyweight Championship was on par to the W.W.E. Championship for a multi-million dollar company that ran head to head with the W.W.F.

So that alone is why the E.C.W. Championship can simply NEVER be on par to either of the other two.

There were multiple PPV's in 2007 were it opened the show and was on before the women's title.

This means nothing to me. Sometimes they ran the Women's Championship match in between the World and W.W.E. Championship matches. Why? Because the Women's Championship match is built more to calm the crowds in between the "mega matches." And furthermore, to me, the opening match is always one of the best.. because they preceive it to be the opening match, to instantly "electrify" the crowd.

So if the E.C.W. Championship match opens the card, I take that as more respectful than disrespectful. Because that means they have faith and belief that the two (or more) individuals working that match, can get the crowd instantly fired up for the night's events.

Look at the hype going into the chambers and the Title match. You can't even trick yourself into thinking that the ECW Title is going to be showcased well.

Well, once again.. you can't compare the hype of the Elimination Chamber to hyping the E.C.W. Championship. On one hand, you have a match thats only used about once a year, if that.. and on the other hand, you have the Heavyweight Championship of the company's third brand.

Then, as stated earlier, the E.C.W. Championship will NEVER be on par to the W.W.E. or World Heavyweight Championships.. so you can't really complain over it not getting as much hype, or push. Because if they did that, it'd in effect be more hurtful to the other World Championships, then it'd ever even help the E.C.W. Championship.

 

[IrishCanadian25]

Why this match was important

I was surprised by quite a few things last night at No Way Out, but the opening match between Chavo ans CM Punk was the bright surprise. Not because the match itself was great - it was ok - but thanks to the crowd being vocal and almost causing a double turn to occur.

When Punk went for the 3 amigos, the heel heat he received was palpable. Every fan, whether they liked Eddie G. or not, took Punk's signature maneuver theft as a cold slap in the face. I loved it. I wouldn't be shocked if they originally were looking for Punk to complete the trilogy and then, hearing the chorus of boos like Santa Claus at an Eagles game, decided to have Chavo block the last one.

To complete the turns, Chavo hits the frogsplash at the end of the match for the clean pin victory to the adulation of the crowd. When did that happen? Chavo suddenly was defending Eddie's memory, and the crowd responded in turn.

My only question is - will WWE pursue Punk's newfound heel heat, or try to go on like nothing happened?

 

[Y 2 Jake]

I didn't notice the ''double turn'' because i was abusing myself. Just thought you'd all like to know.

They'll probably ignore it. Punk needs to turn heel, he's a natural. So by definition WWE will probably hold it off. Stupid, but if the fans want something WWE are usually a few months too late.

The match seemed very short for me. Which I think is a shame, because both are capable of having solid matches, and Flair vs. Kennedy wasn't going to deliver, so they had nothing to lose.

 

[bambam]

I didn't notice the ''double turn'' because i was abusing myself. Just thought you'd all like to know.

They'll probably ignore it. Punk needs to turn heel, he's a natural. So by definition WWE will probably hold it off. Stupid, but if the fans want something WWE are usually a few months too late.

The match seemed very short for me. Which I think is a shame, because both are capable of having solid matches, and Flair vs. Kennedy wasn't going to deliver, so they had nothing to lose.

I agree. Punk as a heel, he seemed to have his best work as a heel. In ROH, MAW, IWC, Everywhere! WWE should play off of this, maybe have him come out and blame the crowd or something. But I don't think WWE will want to make Chavo turn face right now. And they wouldn't want a Heel vs Heel at WM.

As for the match, it's what I expcted from WWE for the ECW match of the night. I feel bad for Tazz and Joey Styles. We were at a PPV and they have to just sit there the rest of the night bored as hell! I would have liked to see a longer match with more spots, but WWE does this every PPV with ECW so what can you do. Chavo can put on great matchs and so could Punk, but I guess well never see it.

 

[phantom_63]

Dont know if this has been said or not but it seemed to me like the match may have been cut short as they didn't know how long the chamber matches would go. A few things stuck out to me as being fillers, or not timed properly.