Thursday Morning Backlash: CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, The Rock, Triple H and Mark Henry

Columns, Top Story

Mike Gojira’s latest Stomping Ground attempts to do some myth-busting about current WWE trends. Be sure to read that first, as we’re going old-school today with the return of A Modest Response.

1. A) Mike, no one is claiming CM Punk’s push is over. He went from Cena to Triple H to Del Rio. His push, especially once merchandising news came out, isn’t what was in question. What was in question is just how differently he was being treated. He got to be a different kind of star for awhile and fans reacted to not only his breaking the 4th wall, but also that he rejected traditional wrestling norms. Well, he may be a main event star now, but he’s also not really that different than Cena anymore. That’s a Fail, as the interest he drubbed up this Summer made him a star, but utterly failed to change the product in a meaningful way for the better.

B) CM Punk is in no way in the main event this Sunday. The Rock and John Cena together are the main event. This is like claiming because Rock and Hogan didn’t go on last at Wrestlemania, it wasn’t the main event. Of course it was; it was what was most hyped and got the biggest response. The title wasn’t needed. And WWE have learned from this, as seen by Taker-HBK going on last. Cena and Rock will be the main event guys of Survivor Series and Wrestlemania, the latter barring a Stone Cold return.

C) Punk may get to really be on top if he wins Sunday, for about 2-months. What happens in 2-months? The Rock returns, goes on top with Cena again, and we set up Wrestlemania.

2. Mark Henry has shown that whether he deserved the ball or not, he’s absolutely run with it, as Smackdown is doing an excellent rating. He’s actually been about as good as JBL was when he finally got the belt, which I hated at first, and taught me to not make snap judgments. However, deserve is a funny word. It implies something done to get the title before the actual winning of the belt. Henry may have worked hard, but he was a poor worker for a decade and rarely got any crowd response. He’s run with his push, but it’s nearly impossible to suggest he “deserved” it for anything but loyalty. And really, what was he going to do, go to TNA?

3. Daniel Bryan is being wasted. Look, I love Bryan, but can we get him over before a Wrestlemania push? How many guys on the roster would benefit hugely from working a meaningful program with Bryan? The guy can both sell the shit out of an angle and a match. If he does so, and is given the chance, he deserves a big push. Right now, the lack of a main event push isn’t why he’s wasted. It’s the lack of using him to make others better and letting that be how he gets over that drives me nuts.

4. Triple H’s ego hasn’t been out of control since he was “injured” but before that everything was about him, and since he’s gone, every single week his attack and injury have been replayed. I have to ask, since this isn’t doing ratings, who is it helping? Nash and Triple H were terrible together 5-years ago when H was active and Nash could actually move. They’re old and, really, this is just two buddies that have enough pull to get their angle pushed forward. H beat Punk to give Nash the rub, and I guess if you don’t see a problem there, you’re still scratching your head about WCW.

And finally, WWE does kind of suck right now, but, as usual, it will get better in January. Enjoy Survivor Series and Happy Birthday Mike!

Glazer is a former senior editor at Pulse Wrestling and editor and reviewer at The Comics Nexus.