The Disturbing Truth Behind A CM Punk In-Ring Return

CM Punk John Cena Nexus
WWE.com

Let me tell you a personal story about CM Punk, alright?

I used to love CM Punk. CM Punk used to be my favourite wrestler. I loved everything about him: his disposition, his principles, his refusal to enter and operate in WWE on their terms, his perseverance, his ballsy distaste for bullsh*t, his creativity, his ring work, his ability to cut the sort of authentic promos once thought lost. I loved that he had the potential and desire to change a rotten WWE system. Mauro Ranallo has ruined on-the-nose word play, but Punk was the Voice of the Voiceless. That’s why myself and so many others gravitated towards his star.

That version of CM Punk no longer exists. Everything I and perhaps you loved about CM Punk isn't there anymore. CM Punk, looking back, probably wasn't the best wrestler in the world. He certainly wasn't the most athletic wrestler, nor the most technically precise, but he was the most vital, and that is more important.

He certainly wouldn't be the best wrestler in the world in 2019. Punk was once the workrate God in a bland sports entertainment world populated by overexposed headliners and cookie cutter developmental busts. That was his actual gimmick. He was a star unto himself that shined near a black hole. His work no longer holds up to 2019 scrutiny; the execution was often sloppy, the storytelling very very good—but not by current, intricate standards. Punk's in-match heel psychology was superb. Even his less-celebrated matches, like his midcard WrestleMania XXVII battle with Randy Orton, saw him hobble across the ring to bury the Viper's weakened leg. Jay White excels at this mode of storytelling now.

The loose, non-traditional ‘WWE’ style is no longer as fresh and imperative. It is the norm, and has advanced well beyond itself. Matt Riddle has advanced Punk's hybrid MMA style with more oomph and legitimacy. The striking game so alien to WWE has seen New Japan Pro wrestling skyrocket in recognition through accessibility. The technical side of Punk’s game has refined itself through the work of countless practitioners.

Would he even be the best promo?

CONT'D...(1 of 5)

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!