I was going to make my next episode about the only TNA PPV I've ever watched (Destination X), but the more I think about it, the more this needs saying in public.
I'm really hoping that there's just the faintest chance in Hades that maybe, just maybe, Vince McMahon is FINALLY coming to his senses and starting to acknowledge other wrestling companies out there. Why, you ask? Because of CM Punk's promo on Raw a couple of weeks ago. If, by some fluke, you missed it, here it is:
Make sure to watch the whole thing before continuing with this episode.
So why do I think that Vince, in his ripe old age, has begun to acknowledge other wrestling companies out there? Well, for one, he allowed Punk to name both New Japan Pro Wrestling AND Ring of Honor during the broadcast. But that isn't all. In the last couple of days, it has come to light that three big names on the independent wrestling circuit have been holding out on signing new deals with their current company. Colt Cabana, Claudio Castagnoli, and Chris Hero all are apparently not in talks with Ring of Honor to sign new contracts. What does this mean? Well, for one, if all three leave, it's a huge chunk of ROH's drawing power gone. But there is speculation that Castagnoli and Hero are in talks with WWE to sign contracts. And with Punk name-dropping Cabana during the above promo, one wonders if he could make a return to WWE as well.
This whole business with the three indy stars holding out on ROH is also making me question Punk's apparently initial plans to leave WWE when his contract expires this weekend (holy crap, I just realized that the PPV was this Sunday!). I always feel like when a wrestler's contract expires the day of a PPV, something's a little fishy. It's even fishier when the wrestler actually talks about his contract expiring. At first, I was firm in my belief that Punk would win the WWE Title at Money in the Bank, then one of the Money in the Bank match winners would cash in his contract and take the title away from Punk, making sure that Punk wouldn't actually leave with the WWE Title (not that Vince would actually allow this to happen in the first place). But now, with the news of Cabana, Castagnoli, and Hero all potentially leaving Ring of Honor, I get the sneaking suspicion that Punk's expiring contract is all a ruse.
It's a vaguely similar situation to the Daniel Bryan Danielson situation from last year. Danielson was seemingly set for a run with the Nexus, but was supposedly fired for choking a man with his own tie on national television. Danielson got a ton of press, went to the indies, and a couple of months later, showed up back in WWE. Unfortunately, his lame non-gimmick character stuck with him instead of his badass American Dragon character he's had for a decade on the indies. I'd still like to see the American Dragon character on WWE television, just to see one of Vince's oldest stereotypes broken (that being that only the bigger bodybuilder-types can dominate opponents).
So where am I going with this? Well, the Punk situation parallel's the Danielson situation somewhat. Both stories involve internet wrestling community fan favorites leaving the company for dubious reasons (Danielson for the tie-choking incident, Punk because supposedly he doesn't want to give WWE the trademark for his name and character), both have next to no hints of returning, and both feel suspiciously like setups, even though WWE is playing them straight. Honestly, I am not sure what to think about the current situation with Punk, but if I had to lay some money on it (say, a dollar), I'd bet Punk isn't actually leaving the company. Before the news of Cabana and Co., I would have thought it a sure thing that Punk was leaving to go to New Japan or back to ROH. But now, there's an inkling that maybe, just maybe, Punk will stay, and bring Cabana, Castagnoli, and Hero with him.
Now I'm branching off into full-blown fantasy here, but would it not be simply amazing if we see Punk win the title, lose it to the Money in the Bank winner, then show up the next night on Raw with Cabana, Castagnoli, Hero, and Danielson in tow, declare WWE theirs for the taking, and proceed to rampage across both shows, proclaiming the indy scene to be the best in the world? We see Punk win the WWE Title, Danielson win the World Heavyweight Title, Hero and Castagnoli the Tag Team Titles, and Cabana both the Intercontinental and United States Titles, and just run roughshod over the company. Or maybe get a sixth man (Low Ki?) to hold one secondary title so Cabana isn't a double secondary champion. I know it's entirely a fantasy, but if I was running WWE, that's probably how I'd book the next year of storylines: the indy scene invades WWE and takes over.
Now, you may say, "But that's almost exactly the same thing that happened with the Nexus last year HURF DURF *eats shoe*" Well, Mr. Shoe Eater, unlike the Nexus, having these four, five, or six guys destroying the WWE roster is actually believable. Instead of eight "rookies," we have between four and six guys, all with at least a decade of experience each and more wrestling knowledge than the entire WWE roster put together (except The Undertaker, obviously). I can imagine Danielson, Castagnoli, Hero, Low Ki, Punk, and Cabana actually beating this shit out of guys like Heath Slater and Mason Ryan. Hell, I'd like to see every former indy guy/current WWE employee join in on the fray. Get Evan Bourne and Sin Cara involved, and bring up Jon Moxley and Tyler Black. With ten guys, this could be the greatest faction in wrestling history, and it would truly bring about a new renaissance in the wrestling industry.
Now, I know that the last two paragraphs were me basically giving myself a good strong wank, but honestly, if you were as fed up with WWE as I was six months ago, you'd take notice of Punk's promo and start wondering what might just happen. On the less pleasant side, Punk could just lose his match at the PPV this Sunday to John Cena and leave the company in a huff. That would be the worst case scenario, one I pray does not happen. They can't let this much build sputter and die just like that. With as much heat as he has, Punk can run with this for months, and, as I said earlier, bring about a new age in wrestling. Though that may just be the smart mark in me talking.
I hope you enjoyed this little diatribe of mine. I'm going to continue to think positive about this situation and hope it goes similarly to how I imagine it going. It's too bad not everything can be positive, though, as I must do a review of TNA's Destination X PPV. On the positive side again, CHIKARA has finally released their June shows, and I ordered them the day they came out, so I'm hoping they'll arrive in the next few days. That way, I can get to talking about Chikarasaurus Rex: King of Sequel, which is coming up in just a couple weeks' time. So until next time, keep cool and stay awesome.
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