The Disturbing Truth Behind A CM Punk In-Ring Return

Cody Thronebreaker
AEW (Ricky Havlik)

To Cody’s fans, and this is very hyperbolic, looking at Dynamite’s TV ratings and receding gates, he saved professional wrestling. To them, he did something more significant than changing WWE to usher in new blood and ice cream bars. He created a genuine alternative to it. To them, he didn’t just break Triple H’s throne at Double Or Nothing.

The irony, of course, is that Punk created the appetite for that change, but regardless, the drive that babyfaced CM Punk is no longer a USP.

Those fans don’t relentlessly, obnoxiously chant “CM Punk!” for nothing. Perhaps they don’t give a sh*t about Cody. Perhaps they don’t even know about Cody. But if Punk does come back, for real, there are two narrative avenues to explore, and both present flaws.

1) WWE acknowledges the bitter acrimony behind his departure, which can only lead to a WrestleMania encounter with Triple H. It might light up his customary bore with actual heat—furnace heat, even—but you can’t watch a Triple H WrestleMania match and expect something with any energy to it. Not in 2019. There’s no doubt that Punk and Triple H could engineer real, authentic tension, but Punk’s very character lived and died on its integrity. How seriously could you take a disenfranchised old talent fully cooperating with the Head of Talent Relations? It would have to be perfect to work, and that’s the very last word anybody would use to describe WWE in 2019.

CONT'D...(4 of 5)

Advertisement
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!