The original plan for C.M. Punk was that he would turn heel and win his Money in the Bank title shot later on in the year. The decision for it to instead go down the way it did was greenlighted by Vince McMahon, with the rationale being that a youth movement could help shake things up, was not exactly well received by everyone behind-the-scenes. Although Punk has proven more popular and capable of selling more merchandise than someone in his position would be expected to manage, a number of agents are not keen on his work. Triple H has been vocal in his dislike of Punk too, joking that now they needed to turn Shawn Michaels heel so someone could work him through a world title match. It has also been Vince’s call for Punk to not look strong in his title defences, thinking that the babyface clinging to victory against better opponents will in the long-run rally the fans behind him.
Mick Foley’s contract expires at the end of the summer, although it is expected WWE will offer him a new contract. He is also expected to stick around in the role even though Vince is extremely critical of the announcers’ performances, even moreso than with the wrestlers, which could be giving Foley a sort of culture shock in his new role.
Jim Ross coming out to announce on Raw last week was a last-minute call made during the show. They wanted to rescue the audience from listening to Mike Adamle and make people think JR could be the new GM.
Brian Kendrick is supposed to be getting a substantial push with Ezekiel. Naming his finisher The Kendrick was a rib on Mike Adamle’s infamous ‘The Tazz’ line on ECW.
Vickie Guerrero was meant to turn babyface after the split from Edge but plans were changed when she got far more heel heat than WWE expected. They now want to keep the two together but had to change the storyline, at first to postpone the wedding for a week since Smackdown was pre-empted in the New York markets, then again to do the angle to get The Undertaker back for SummerSlam. Now they are unsure as to whether or not Vickie and Edge should get back together or be kept apart as heels.
Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, 04 August 2008 (subscribe here)
