Report: A Few Interesting Alliances Could Be Forming Soon.

[Jack-Hammer]

According to a report I read a few minutes ago, a couple of interesting pairings could be made in WWE in the near future.

First, it's being said that CM Punk & Paul Heyman are pushing to be paired together in the fall. It was reported when Heyman returned to WWE in his current role with Brock Lesnar that Heyman was very interested to work with Punk as he's a long time fan of his work. Allegedly, Heyman is said to be very easy to work with these days and has been enjoying his new role. Allegedly, Punk & Heyman have pitched their ideas to Vince, Triple H & Stephanie. There are some conflicting reports as to their response. Some sources indicate that the WWE is happy with the current "per deal" date with Heyman. However, other sources indicate that they're open to the idea as they've been pleased with Heyman's work and his more open attitude.

Another alliance that's being talked about would pair former WWE Vice President of Talent Relations, John Laurinaitis, with Jack Swagger. It's been said that Vince hasn't committed to the idea outright, but it's something that does have his interest.

Personally, I'd like to see both these come to pass. I think it'd be fun to see Punk & Heyman work together and I believe they'd compliment each other well. Jack Swagger is a talented guy and one that I think is seriously underused. Whenever you see him get real matches against guys like Orton, Sheamus or Mysterio; you remember why WWE keeps him around. Big Johnny's a heat magnet and pairing him with Swagger could finally make Swagger into a real force. Swagger is someone that's suffered from WWE losing interest in him in the middle of pushes on several occassions. I think he's too good to just be primarily wasted in the way he has been for a while. If they're not going to do anything worthwhile with him, then I think they should release him and let him try to see stardom elsewhere.

 

[Steamboat Ricky]

Punk could certainly benefit from the Heyman rub, though I don't really think he needs it. What they really need to do is let him do his own thing and allow him to attract whatever attention he sees fit. He's really smart and talented, and the only thing that is holding him back from just being a ridiculous money-making force is Cena and/or WWE's reluctance to be edgy, even in a PG format.

As far as Swagger goes, I've not ever really seen the appeal in this guy. The only way he gets over at this point is with the help of a good mouthpiece, but I'm not sure that a lot can be done to salvage what he's had. Go for it...but it will probably not interest me.

 

[Radical Canadian Goose]

Punk and Heyman has been debated since Heyman returned to TV . This would be a great pairing as it would give Punk much needed heat, I say make this pairing happen

Lauriniaitis and Swagger could work personally I think that if Johnny is going to manage Swagger he should be a manager of a tagteam with a returning David Otunga being Swaggers partner. That could be a great union

 

[Jerichoholic8894]

I feel that a run with Paul Heyman could be the move needed to make Punk "intresting" to the fans (Or get him to main event the PPV's, which ever way makes more sense to you)

CM Punk and Paul Heyman, if done correctly, could be the modern day Triple H and Ric Flair. IMO

Swagger and Johnny? Sounds more of a "What could go wrong" pairing if you ask me. Low risk, but potentially high reward. Swagger is in desprate need of that small repackaging to become a somebody in the WWE or forever stay where he is at.

Swagger now reminds me of Chris Masters back in 06, just a douche bag. Swagger needs a small but notacible repackaging, because all he is, is a douche bag with a lisp. Hell, maybe Laurinitis will do more on the mic than Swagger (Not Swagger's fault, but something that turns alot of fans off is his lisp)

Both could turn out to be something very much needed for Punk and Swagger

 

[LegendKiller716]

I think if Punk and Heyman team up, they should form a stable. WWE hasn't had a well built stable since Evolution, and if done right, Punk and Heyman can change that. It would be really easy to add Seth Rollins, Daniel Bryan, Kasius Ohno, and Antonio Cesaro to this group. With Heyman's help on the mic, all of these guys can get over. (I don't think Bryan would be a good fit, but I feel like he'll be brought up eventually.)

As for Swagger and Johnny, I think WWE should go the route they should have went when Swagger was teamed with Cole. Swagger and Ace will get a lot of heat until eventually Ace blows up on Swagger and Swagger puts him down. Think Miz/Riley. (Only Swagger won't talk shit on the golden boy.) I see Swagger as a potentially better face than heel. Let him be cocky like his ECW days, he'll get over...again.

 

[Antichrist]

I love the idea of Punk and Heyman. I still hope that "Revolution X" has something to do with a Punk stable. I agree that pairing Punk with Heyman might be the only way to turn Punk heel, as kids who weren't even alive back when ECW was around do not like Heyman. The kids would feel betrayed if Punk was friends with Heyman.

 

[Wolf Pac]

Like somebody else said, Punk doesn't really need Heyman and they should pair him with somebody else who does need him, like maybe Mason Ryan, where is he anyway? But at the same time, Heyman paired with Punk could mean the revival of the Punk-HHH feud from last year which is definitely needed and would make up for how abysmal the feud was last year. And while I do like the idea of Swagger & Laurinatis, I don't see Johnny Ace being able to get him over, he's just not the mouthpiece. Maybe Heyman could manage Swagger instead of Punk. Whatever happens though, I look forward to the future.

 

[James]

Swaggy and Johnny? I just died a little bit inside. The Age of The Swagster is coming back. You're doing to see Jack Swagger run that presidential role. Hell I wish it was JBL being his mouth.

 

[Slyfox696]

CM Punk and Paul Heyman do not interest me in the slightest, unless they are part of a storyline called "Overrated IWC sensations". Punk, while solid in the ring, is simply not the golden boy the IWC wants him to be, and it still amazes me how easily wrestling fans let Paul Heyman off the hook while constantly crucifying guys like Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff, despite the fact that while all three encountered crippling failures, only Heyman never saw mega success.

As far as putting them together, I don't see the point. Punk's best attribute is working the mic as a heel and he doesn't need Heyman for that. Furthermore, putting together two loud mouths does nothing but diminish their message.

I'd rather see Heyman work for someone like, I don't know, Brodus Clay. Why? I have no idea, but it would be better than CM Punk. The Miz might not be a bad match with Heyman, Miz can play the chickenshit heel quite well.

 

[Soulblazed]

It'd be interesting to see Punk and Heyman together, especially considering that Heyman also manages Brock Lesnar...I wouldn't mind seeing Punk, Rollins, Antonio Cesaro (Claudio Castagnoli), Kasius Ohno (Chris Hero) and Lesnar in a Survivor Series team called Revolution X..

Now with Swagger and Johnny Ace, I see great things happening for Swagger if he's booked as a serious heel and they let him showcase his wrestling ability...In due time he could then be going for the US Title again and WINNING matches consistently...When he does get the US Title back, it'd be great to see him defend it on a regular basis..He should also go back to using the Doctor Bomb instead of the Ankle Lock..They should let him use some shoot wrestling submission holds that haven't been used since the days of Lou Thesz, and Evan "Strangler" Lewis..

 

[TheLoneCharles]

I've been thinking the last few Raws that Punk and Heyman need to team up. Since Heyman is already with Lesnar, it could definitely work as a stable of sorts. I'd love to see Wade Barrett join Heyman too. Get a group of good talkers together, and let Wade and Punk develop a deep seeded rivalry. Hell, it was already planted when Punk became leader of the Nexus. Watching them together would get interesting quickly.

As for Swagger, he needs an overhaul. He dresses like a wannabe Kurt Angle down to the ankle lock and most fans can recognize a cheap imitation of the original. Swagger is not Angle, but Swagger was awesome in his own right when he was in the ECW Title picture consistently.

Take Swagger off TV like he has been, and make him return with "went back to train Rocky III style". Feature Mr People Power as his manager egging him on, and when he returns he can tear up the midcard.

 

[Milkyway!]

I'm highly uninterested in the pairing of Heyman/Punk or the pairing of John/Swagger. Personally, I would rather see Heyman team up with a guy like Swagger rather than a guy like Punk. Punk is entertaining enough on his own, and can truly drop a gem on the mic. He doesn't need a mouthpiece, and he certainly doesn't need Heyman.

Guys like Brock Lesnar, Jack Swagger, Vladmir Koslov, John Morrison, etc need mouthpieces. They can't talk, thus they need someone to do it for them. Punk can talk. He doesn't need Heyman to talk for him.

As for Johnny and Swagger. Meh. You put lackluster talent with lackluster talent, and you receive lackluster talent. The only type of heat Mister Laurinaitis is getting from me is X-Pac heat. I'd rather they kept him off screen.

 

[HamSwissman]

I'd love to see Heyman and Punk align. I'd have Brock stay around as the enforcer as well. Maybe pick up another member and you could have the first interesting faction in WWE in several years (was Evolution the last?). Johnny and Swagger wouldn't mean much to me.

 

[zephyrs]

Punk doesn't need Heyman, so I don't understand the point of the pairing. Putting two good talkers together doesn't make sense. Heyman is better off elevating someone who isn't much of a promo man. They would be interesting on opposing sides in a feud though. We'd probably get some good back forth talk then.

I liked Swagger when he was just a cocky, arrogant, goofy heel. Then WWE put the WHC on him and tried to turn him into a super-serious suit-wearing heel. It just didn't work. I'd like to see Swagger become a cocky, arrogant, goofy, super patriotic heel whose goal is to keep the US Title out of foreigners' hands. He could be feuding with Santino right now, talking about how it's a disgrace that some doofus from Italy is allowed to represent the United States as its champion. I don't see where Ace fits into that equation, unless he's willing to put on that eagle costume and wave a US flag.

I will say that Swagger needs to be allowed to showcase a strong amateur style, while not being an Angle clone. That means no more ankle, but rather go back to the gutwrench powerbomb

 

[WJDwjdWJDwjd]

Punk-Heyman is a money pairing. Outside of a certain Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, there is NO ONE on WWE television today who can control a crowd like these two. Punk and Heyman are such dynamic figures that this pairing seems like it is destined to happen at some point. Punk is stuck right now in a very awkward transition from face to something else. I wouldn't say he's a face, but he hasn't had that defining heel turn moment. Heel transitions are ALWAYS boring and drawn out. This one is no different. He has no momentum going for him, and I'm almost hoping they take the belt off of him just to get it over with. I have no desire to listen to him b***h about respect until January. A kayfabe 30-60 day suspension or injury at the hands of The Rock (after losing at SummerSlam), and come back with Heyman as his manager could be the refresher his career needs. Have Heyman talk about Punk losing focus before with wanting the spotlight, and deserving respect. He could claim Punk started training with Brock and regained the intensity, and the desire to simply be the "Best in the World" at any cost necessary. Air vignettes of Brock and Punk doing MMA training and such. Gives him an instant heel connection with the audience to work with without him even being back on television yet. Upon return, CM Punk destroys the mid card mercilessly, goes on a few months long undefeated streak, and has a high profile feud with a Randy Orton/Christian type face going into the Royal Rumble. At the actual Royal Rumble PPV though, have Punk screw over The Rock in his match with whoever the WWE Champion is at the time (probably John Cena), and then have The Rock return the favor later on that night to set up Punk vs Rock at Wrestlemania. Punk's explanation for attacking Rock instead of Cena is because he knows he can beat Cena on any given night, but would rather take the challenge of beating someone who stands for everything he's against. (Sorry. Got a little carried away)

As for Swagger/Johnny... I don't know. I'd say Swagger/Cole would be more of a pairing unless Johnny came back with the whole patriotic People Power gimmick, and had Eve in the stable as well. Johnny could play his usual politicking character, vying for Smackdown or Raw's GM's position. Almost like he's going into the coming months as a Presidential candidate. Get the old gang back together. Johnny/Otunga/Eve and add Swagger in there. Maybe have Swagger lose his job due to poor performance, and Johnny gets him back in the door, and that's why he joins up with him (Johnny). Maybe Otunga and Swagger capture tag team gold as an uber intelligent gimmick tag team (Swagger having a degree in finance, and Otunga a practicing lawyer) with Swagger still playing up his All-American American gimmick, but have him talk about how much his beloved America has fallen in comparison to the economies of other countries, and then have him talk about the state of each show being similar to that and why Johnny needs to become GM on one of the brands again. Could lead up to a GM Election on Twitter/WWE poll or a traditional Survivor Series match with Team Booker or AJ vs Team Johnny. Much like this year's past Wrestlemania, but with a much better build and climactic outcome. Here, I would turn Swagger face and make him a super Patriotic face. We're talking bringing back the pre-match push up fireworks, American flag sports jacket, having him be the guy who comes down to the ring to defend America when a foreign character runs down America. Basically giving him the potential to be the Duggan/Hogan/Slaughter "USA, USA!" chant character of the new generation.

--------

These are only a couple ideas for character development out of these projected character pairings. Being able to really see the long term goals/gains from pairings is important to me when discussing storyline potential.

 

[Fansince1992]

CM Punk & Paul Heyman

Like others have said Heyman isn't needed to speak for Punk. However i do like the pairing because of Brock Lesnar. Brock could help Punk's heel run drastically. As we know Punk isn't the biggest/strongest of Wrestlers, but with the presence of Lesnar the faces would all be wary of Punk. Lesnar could just be lurking somewhere ready to strike out on anyone messing with Punk. This would help Lesnar too, Punk could threaten The John Cena's and the Sheamus's and the Randy Orton's with something like "You will always be looking over your shoulder" It will keep Brock relevant even when he isn't appearing.


Jack Swagger & John Lauranitis

This could help Jack Swagger to get some much needed Heat. Lauranitis will obviously talk for him to help him get more over as a heel. I don't think this would push Swagger up to the main event but could make Jack Swagger a bit more interesting around the mid card. Another thing to consider is Swagger didn't manage to "Make it" alongside Vikkie Guerrero, what is to say that it would be any different with Johnny L by his side. Not sure on this pairing it could either work wonders or fall flat on it's face.

 

[cm ben]

I like both of these pairings. God knows Jack Swagger needs something to help him, and Lauranitis might be a step in the right direction. Maybe. I think Swagger might just need a face run, honestly. He's been treading water for such a long time.

The Punk/Heyman combo is more interesting to me. Unlike what many expressed thus far, I don't think the sole purpose of a manager ought to be to be a crutch for those who aren't good on the mic. Punk doesn't need Heyman, sure, but I think they'd have great chemistry, tear it up on the mic, and create some awesome moments. Heyman's status as this "outsider rebel" coming in a messing things up in the WWE could open up some interesting storylines for Punk to take part in, too.

 

[Mustang Sally]

I can't see a pairing of Punk and Heyman at all. Both are superior talkers, so where's the sense in having them compete for mic time at the expense of each other?

I enjoy Paul Heyman's act more than many others seem to. There's an occasional call on wrestling forums for the return of managers. Personally, I think their outstanding trait has to be speaking ability, the Rock-like talent of delivering a free-wheeling speech building up his own guy while denouncing opponents. Heyman has that in spades. I can sooner see him with Jack Swagger, as the OP suggested. Having Heyman's "genius" making Swagger a more successful wrestler could be a viable program.

Of course, all this presumes Heyman wants to work for WWE after his program with Brock Lesnar ends. As it seems, the only reason Heyman was brought in was the limited access we've had to Brock; a "mouthpiece" was needed to make us forget that Brock is rarely around. Heyman could keep the name of his "client" in our minds while Brock stays at home. Heyman fills this role admirably, but it's anyone's guess as to whether he wants to continue after his high-profile role with Brock is over.

C.M. Punk, meanwhile, doesn't need a mouthpiece. He's like the Roddy Piper of 80's WWF: the guy who walks alone through the company, never needing allies and certainly not requiring anyone to speak for him. Even before his "Voice of the Voiceless" persona, he led groups of people: those folks weren't his equals.....they were his subjects. He has no need of a manager or co-manager.

If WWE has some other ideas in possibly pairing Heyman and Punk, I'd love to know what they are.

 

[SuperKick36]

CM Punk and Paul Heyman do not interest me in the slightest, unless they are part of a storyline called "Overrated IWC sensations". Punk, while solid in the ring, is simply not the golden boy the IWC wants him to be, and it still amazes me how easily wrestling fans let Paul Heyman off the hook while constantly crucifying guys like Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff, despite the fact that while all three encountered crippling failures, only Heyman never saw mega success.

As far as putting them together, I don't see the point. Punk's best attribute is working the mic as a heel and he doesn't need Heyman for that. Furthermore, putting together two loud mouths does nothing but diminish their message.

I'd rather see Heyman work for someone like, I don't know, Brodus Clay. Why? I have no idea, but it would be better than CM Punk. The Miz might not be a bad match with Heyman, Miz can play the chickenshit heel quite well.

Heyman may not be the best business man, and granted he is a slimeball. However, his ability to portray this character in the ring and on the mic is sensational. The reason why Lesnar is able to keep heat is simply because of Heyman's appearances and his ability to speak on the mic.

Now, I do agree with you in the fact that both Punk and Heyman being together may be too much "mouth" in once place, if it was booked correctly and a necessary storyline was created, then they could work together. It has been done before, though today's WWE is much different than ten years ago, and the room for creative to do various things is much more narrow.

**

I like the possibility of Jack Swagger and Big Johnny, oddly enough... I can't really explain why, other than my opinion that it could be entertaining. I'd rather see Heyman work with Jack Swagger though. I think Heyman could get Swagger over, but I don't see that happening.

 

[xavyer]

If Heyman and Punk team up together, they will definitly blow the roof of, i don't think that Punk needs Heyman, he's very good on his own, but i love the idea, however, i don't like the idea about Swagger and Johnny, i really don't like Lauriniatis at all, if anything, i would team up Swagger with Heyman, that would totally change Swagger's career and put him on a high level, and Heyman can do a lot of good for Swagger, that's my opinion.......

 

[XXJJ]

Heyman instead of Laurinties would be a better fit. Swagger needs a strong mouthpiece. Heyman being his scumbag agent would get Swagger over.

 

[midgensa]

Honestly, I don't know that Punk needs a Heyman alliance. Punk has risen to a strong position without it and obviously does not need the mouthpiece as he can handle that on his own.

I would curiously pay attention of course, but I don't know if it would do a ton for my enjoyment of the product or for either guy's career.

As for Swagger and Laurinitus ... I kind of like that one. They need to get Swagger more visible and get him moving in an upward direction because this guy is really talented in the ring and it shows whenever they can find a reason to put him in there with a good opponent. And Johnny Ace, love him or not, got heat like nobody else this last year or so.

I figure Ace cannot be gone for much longer ... the company had to have been happy with his heel run and has to be itching to get him back as the mouthpiece for the right kind of guy ... Swagger just may be it.

 

[enviousdominous]

At this point, I'm desperate for any creative move that doesn't put me into a coma.

Not that Paul or Punk really need each other, but I would stay awake to hear a promo from them. Their mic work is matched only by each other. I'm all for having Paul Heyman appearing more often on Raw so the three hours doesn't feel like three days.

Swagger and Ace? Umm, yeah. If they make it work, I can honestly say that I would take back half the nasty things I've ever said about WWE creative. Talk about shining shit though.