10 WWE Ideas EVEN Vince McMahon Thought Were Too Sleazy

1. Chris Jericho Tattoos CM Punk

Goldust Mandy Rose
WWE.com

The CM Punk Vs. Chris Jericho programme of 2012 was missing something that elevated it to anywhere near its potential. It ended admirably enough, and it wasn't remotely bad, but the dynamic was absurdly rich. This should have banged across every verbal and physical story beat.

It didn't.

Jericho was an astute enough performer and dastardly enough prick heel to immediately grab the nearest bottle of liquor and force it down Punk's straight edge throat - but it wasn't a major, groundbreaking, unforgettable heat angle. It wasn't too dissimilar to what Jerry Lawler was doing to Jake Roberts in 1996. It lacked the real verve that ignites the performer with the grandest stage looming, and that's because the meh quality was a result of its compromise.

Jericho first had the ingenious idea to tattoo his initials on Punk's body. It had never been done, it would have been iconic, and it would have been perfectly in character for both hero and antagonist: Jericho did it to disrespect Punk and literally own him, or a part of him, where Punk would have used its constant reminder as fuel for vengeance.

It was a fantastic idea.

It was precisely what that feud needed.

It didn't happen because Vince was squeamish at the small trickle of blood that would be visible. The same Vince McMahon, again, who booked Brock Lesnar to drill a hole into John Cena's head about two months later.

That main event grievance thing: it's not just about where the match is positioned on the card.

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 current Undisputed WWE 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!