Jeff and I recorded RAW this week, so we're just watching it now. This is the third or fourth week now that CM Punk has seemingly taken a microphone hostage and ranted - saying things that the old WWE wouldn't have allowed. Fourth wall? Smashed down. Kayfabe? Called out. I'm amazed that CM Punk is getting away with saying some of the things he's saying. It makes me wonder - is CM Punk the new Stone Cold Steve Austin, ushering in an era where the fans finally have a voice? Or, is he being set up to fail by running his mouth and then being chopped down by the brass when he finally goes too far? Let's recap some of the things he's said recently:
1. Stephanie McMahon and HHH -- Sure, it's no longer a secret that HHH married Stephanie McMahon. That being said, now that Stephanie has taken on more of the back office part of her job and made it her focus, she was supposed to be hidden behind the fourth wall. That is to say that superstars don't usually recognize (on camera) that Stephanie controls the creative team... the same creative team that pushes out some insane story lines (Big Show being hit by a car? Seriously!?). Additionally, a lot of people who are no longer in the WWE have made it quite clear that HHH used his position, first as HBK's best friend and then as Stephanie's boyfriend/husband to push aside superstars who may have been a threat to him. Now, you've got CM Punk saying, on live television, that HHH probably lays in bed with Stephanie telling her who she should let go. Maybe it was just a tongue-in-cheek reference to their real lives, or maybe it was an unplanned jab at the back office machine.
2. Casting Decisions -- Did I just hear CM Punk call out the fact that several popular superstars were given the boot last week? Sure, he used it as an opportunity to say that HHH was gutless for not giving these people the news himself (which just plays into the "screw the man" storyline he's building for himself), but he also make it very public that some popular superstars had been given the boot for no real reason at all. Vladimir Koslov, DH Smith, Melina and Chris Masters... all superstars who mattered to the fans in some way or another. Maybe he mentioned them to shed light on the fact that the WWE isn't always nice to their talent? If that's the case, will he pay for that comment later? I doubt it. His first rant called out some great superstars who were shown the door... so maybe this is a way for the WWE to say, "See, we listen. We know you miss these people. We don't care enough to bring them back, and we'll kick them out of the building if they DO show up (Melina), but we listen."
3. The New Rattlesnake? -- When SCSA was in charge of boosting ratings, he did so by having a carefree way about tormenting Vince McMahon. Sure, he was honest and said what was on his mind, but it always fell right in line with the story being pushed at the time. To say that CM Punk is the new SCSA seems a bit wrong. He does have a cult following simply because he bucks the system, but until I see his face on a collectible cup, I don't know if I believe that the WWE is really investing in the man.
Only time will tell if the WWE is really willing to allow CM Punk to say the things that we all think (or have thought at one point or another). It's entertaining and driving ratings, so maybe they'll just turn the other cheek. The thing is, the last time someone tried to mix reality with storyline, they got a nice Screwjob for their efforts.
Tread lightly and be sure to carry a big stick, Mr. Punk.
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