CM Punk's departure from World Wrestling Entertainment the night after January's Royal Rumble pay-per-view may have been in the former WWE and World Heavyweight champion's best interest given the injuries he was suffering through and the frustration with the current product that he was experiencing but it certainly robbed fans of some tremendous rivalries and matches that could have helped make 2014 a banner year for both Punk and the company. Gone are the possibilities for a lengthy feud with new "Heyman Guy" Cesaro or a program with newcomer Alexander Rusev. A series of five-star classics with new WWE World Heavyweight champion Daniel Bryan will not happen, nor will what could have been a tremendously entertaining war of words between he and COO Triple H. A renewed rivalry with Randy Orton could have produced some stellar matches and the first real feud with Batista would have resulted in some fresh main event matches. Instead, fans will have to sit back and wonder what could have been. What if Punk had not left? What if Punk had stuck around and been part of the outstanding WrestleMania 30 event? What if injuries and frustration had not boiled over to the point that he felt justified in leaving rather than sticking it out? There are a lot of what ifs that may never be answered but one thing is for certain: It sure is fun to play fantasy booker and look at all that could have been for the Straight Edge Superstar.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
