Big news from the CM Punk front, as it seems the "Straight Edge Superstar" and the WWE have been having some issues backstage.
As you know, Punk seriously injured his knees at WrestleMania 29. This is part of the reason that he was scripted to walk out on Raw Monday night, as it would allow him to take some needed time off to heal.
However, news is now coming out that Punk and the WWE's relationship was a bit tumultuous prior to WrestleMania and may be part of the reason that he was written off.
According to PWInsider.com (via WrestlingInc.com):
As you know, Punk seriously injured his knees at WrestleMania 29. This is part of the reason that he was scripted to walk out on Raw Monday night, as it would allow him to take some needed time off to heal.
However, news is now coming out that Punk and the WWE's relationship was a bit tumultuous prior to WrestleMania and may be part of the reason that he was written off.
According to PWInsider.com (via WrestlingInc.com):
Part of the reason why Brock Lesnar has returned and The Undertaker is working next week is because CM Punk won't be returning anytime soon and WWE needs star power on TV.
A few weeks back, Punk had a big blow up with WWE creative and wanted to give his notice to quit the company. He went and worked it out with top WWE officials. At that time, it was decided that Punk wouldn't be working live events anymore, just TV and WrestleMania 29.
Between the backstage problems and severely tearing knee ligaments at WrestleMania, Punk was written off TV this past Monday at RAW. Punk will be fine once he rests up and lets his knees heal. Right now there is no set plan for Punk to return but word is that he won't be back until SummerSlam time.
The article also noted that Punk was originally supposed to come out and whine about his loss to the Undertaker, but that was scrapped as WWE didn't want him to come off as a whiner before his departure.
Look, I get why Punk would be frustrated with his situation. Many fans, including myself, feel that while he was WWE champ, the company never fully seemed vested in his success. In fact, had John Cena not been injured toward the end of 2012, Punk probably would not have truly main-evented many, if any, of that year's pay-per-views.
Which is pretty appalling considering no wrestler should be held higher than the company's title. Yet month after month, the title matches took a back seat to Cena's bouts.
Even though the issue between both sides has apparently been quashed, I am sure there is still some animosity over the blow up. Hopefully, both Punk and the WWE will be on the same page when he returns.
Keep in mind, I am not standing up for Punk nor am I a super-fan of his. I am just a guy that has been watching wrestling for close to 30 years. So I have witnessed a lot of stars lose their spot due to a company conflict. I have also watched the WWE mishandle several top stars and potential future main eventers.
Don't get me wrong, I realize there is a reason that the WWE is the biggest wrestling company in the world and I respect that. However, I often have wondered what could have been with certain stars from the past.
Now, remember we are only in the month of April. So the company still has four to five months to figure out what to do with Punk upon his return. Let's just hope that it will be something epic; otherwise, Punk's time at the top may be over.
Look, I get why Punk would be frustrated with his situation. Many fans, including myself, feel that while he was WWE champ, the company never fully seemed vested in his success. In fact, had John Cena not been injured toward the end of 2012, Punk probably would not have truly main-evented many, if any, of that year's pay-per-views.
Which is pretty appalling considering no wrestler should be held higher than the company's title. Yet month after month, the title matches took a back seat to Cena's bouts.
Even though the issue between both sides has apparently been quashed, I am sure there is still some animosity over the blow up. Hopefully, both Punk and the WWE will be on the same page when he returns.
Keep in mind, I am not standing up for Punk nor am I a super-fan of his. I am just a guy that has been watching wrestling for close to 30 years. So I have witnessed a lot of stars lose their spot due to a company conflict. I have also watched the WWE mishandle several top stars and potential future main eventers.
Don't get me wrong, I realize there is a reason that the WWE is the biggest wrestling company in the world and I respect that. However, I often have wondered what could have been with certain stars from the past.
Now, remember we are only in the month of April. So the company still has four to five months to figure out what to do with Punk upon his return. Let's just hope that it will be something epic; otherwise, Punk's time at the top may be over.