WWE: 5 Potential Reasons The Rumble Broke CM Punk
1. Batista Wins the Rumble
The debate rages as to whether the return of Batista and his subsequent push into the WrestleMania main event is actually justified or not. Batista was hyped for weeks with video vignettes, but returned to a rather underwhelming reception on Raw. His Rumble win as well, was drowned out by the Daniel Bryan faithful in Pittsburgh that night. While the debate of Batistas true star power will remain in question until the WrestleMania numbers come in, the fact remains that an old face was once again brought in to supplant a spot that someone else on the roster may have been more deserving of.
CM Punk was critical of the return of The Rock for WrestleMania last year for the same reason. Hes been quite vocal about his displeasure with the company engaging in these practices. WrestleMania is the biggest show of the year for WWE and typically the one where the most money can be made by the wrestlers on the card that night. For a wrestler like CM Punk to give his all for an entire year in the hopes of a featured spot at WrestleMania and then be replaced by a part-timer, it can be a demoralizing situation. Punk did have a featured match last year against Undertaker, although some have perceived that as a trade for Punk being removed from the title picture at the time.
Batistas Rumble victory is a clear representation of the WWEs vision of how they want the company to proceed. Their investment is yet again placed in an older, proven name that exhibits a particular look. Viewing the company from the perspective of a performer like Punk, it could be clear that WWE isnt looking to invest in him any further than they have. Furthermore, with the schedule that Punk has been working through and the reported aches and pains that wont go away, he may be arriving at a revelation that the stress and pain isnt worth it anymore. If he doesnt need the paycheck, as is reportedly the case, and has grown disillusioned with the company and feels deprived of a top tier spot, then perhaps walking away became the only viable option.
Just as WWE has to look out for WWE and not cater to CM Punk, CM Punk has to look out for CM Punk and not cater to WWE.