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Rumors of Punk's return to the company have heated up and even, according to some like Andrew Zarian, is even "official" to the point of letting Warner know he is coming back. This piece won't touch too much on placing blame, insulting or dunking on any side. The point of this is more to talk about how the latest rumors of when he is coming back and the first program he will have, and why I actually think it's a very smart solution.
Let's get into it. The current hot rumors (maybe more than rumors tbh) are that this week, Chris Jericho and CM Punk are going to have meetings to try to a) squash some of the current personal issues between them and b) work a program together. It has been reported that Jericho is down to do it if they can settle some beef. Seems like Punk also really wants to be given a second chance. It seems like unless another public meltdown happens, this is more than likely being greenlit this week and maybe goes all the way through to All In being where the One on One happens.
The fan reaction I have observed thus far has ranged from upset to indifferent. I haven't seen much excitement, even though I think that they are two great performers with extremely good mic skills, this should be very entertaining. But, I'd like to dive into why I think this is happening and why it could be good (or bad) for the company.
1) CM Punk needs to "eat crow" - Due to the injury, Punk has not had to face any official reprimand from the company. Maybe he has and we don't know, but no reports or public statements have been made to allude to any such thing. In contrast, members of the Elite missed 6 weeks of television. This included Kenny Omega missing AEW's Canadian debut in Toronto. This is an optics problem. Ideally, this could be resolved by Punk doing a quick job to Omega or Hangman, or the bucks in a a multiman. However, we know atm, that the Elite are apprehensive to work with Punk. Understandable. So who could Punk take an L to that would show good will? Enter Chris Jericho, perceived lockeroom leader and outspoken Punk critic. Man is respected by a large portion of the locker room and management. This makes a lot of sense to me.
2) CM Punk, right now, isn't trusted by not only the locker room, but a portion of the AEW fan base. Since no public apologies were made and AEW has refused to talk about it, there is an undeniable trust issue when it comes to CM Punk. Fans, like myself, don't really trust him to not go off if he becomes unhappy with something again. This was also re-aggravated when Punk chose to take his grievances with a Meltzer forum post on Instagram. People have also not forgotten the press conference and the Hangman revenge promo. These things simply CANNOT EVER HAPPEN AGAIN. I think even the most die hard Punk fan would capitulate on this as well, it just cannot happen anymore, ever. What does this have to do with Jericho you ask? Everything! It is a well known fact that Punk and Jericho do not like each other and especially in the last year, have not gotten along and have both publicly been outspoken about the other. A Punk and Jericho program, especially if extended, is a test. Jericho can assess how Punk is reacting and acting during said program. AEW can observe to see if Punk follows the script and remains professional. If successful, it would build what we need atm, TRUST, between performers that they don't have to like each other, but they do have to respect each other and the script. From the Punk POV, it also shows to him that AEW is willing to give him another chance in a high profile program. opening the doors to future programs if he behaves. and well, if it fails and he goes off, Jericho won't be taking the PR hit The Elite did because he's way , way beyond that and is pretty much teflon in the industry.
3) Blood feuds sell tickets. Everyone knows these two guys despise each other. Fans have already taken sides in this for a while. People in the IWC like to shit on Jericho but they will also all watch this with baited breath, regardless who's side they are on. Controversy creates cash and both these dudes are controversial af for different reasons. Some people will want to see Jericho get his ass kicked. Others will want Punk to eat crow and eat a pin on a big stage to prove he's a team guy. Everyone watching this will have a strong opinion by the time the feud culminates. This is a co main event potential match at All In, and it will draw big time.
4) It keeps Punk far , far away from the world title while making his return feud still feel big time. Much like the feud with MJF, no title will be involved, but it will be personal as hell. Punk needs to feel like a big deal still, for the money they are paying out. You can't have him go through a bunch of young guys again, that would be boring. He will be coming in with a ton of fanfare. This feud makes sense for that.
5) The Elite can also observe from afar without being involved or dragged through the mud again, and can continue their white hot angle vs BCC. I think cooling that off for a Punk return would be short sighted as hell. You can have your cake and eat it too, and have more than one hot program. Especially with another two hour show
Would love to hear peoples thoughts on this. Tried to be as objective as possible in this analasis.
Cheers!
Let's get into it. The current hot rumors (maybe more than rumors tbh) are that this week, Chris Jericho and CM Punk are going to have meetings to try to a) squash some of the current personal issues between them and b) work a program together. It has been reported that Jericho is down to do it if they can settle some beef. Seems like Punk also really wants to be given a second chance. It seems like unless another public meltdown happens, this is more than likely being greenlit this week and maybe goes all the way through to All In being where the One on One happens.
The fan reaction I have observed thus far has ranged from upset to indifferent. I haven't seen much excitement, even though I think that they are two great performers with extremely good mic skills, this should be very entertaining. But, I'd like to dive into why I think this is happening and why it could be good (or bad) for the company.
1) CM Punk needs to "eat crow" - Due to the injury, Punk has not had to face any official reprimand from the company. Maybe he has and we don't know, but no reports or public statements have been made to allude to any such thing. In contrast, members of the Elite missed 6 weeks of television. This included Kenny Omega missing AEW's Canadian debut in Toronto. This is an optics problem. Ideally, this could be resolved by Punk doing a quick job to Omega or Hangman, or the bucks in a a multiman. However, we know atm, that the Elite are apprehensive to work with Punk. Understandable. So who could Punk take an L to that would show good will? Enter Chris Jericho, perceived lockeroom leader and outspoken Punk critic. Man is respected by a large portion of the locker room and management. This makes a lot of sense to me.
2) CM Punk, right now, isn't trusted by not only the locker room, but a portion of the AEW fan base. Since no public apologies were made and AEW has refused to talk about it, there is an undeniable trust issue when it comes to CM Punk. Fans, like myself, don't really trust him to not go off if he becomes unhappy with something again. This was also re-aggravated when Punk chose to take his grievances with a Meltzer forum post on Instagram. People have also not forgotten the press conference and the Hangman revenge promo. These things simply CANNOT EVER HAPPEN AGAIN. I think even the most die hard Punk fan would capitulate on this as well, it just cannot happen anymore, ever. What does this have to do with Jericho you ask? Everything! It is a well known fact that Punk and Jericho do not like each other and especially in the last year, have not gotten along and have both publicly been outspoken about the other. A Punk and Jericho program, especially if extended, is a test. Jericho can assess how Punk is reacting and acting during said program. AEW can observe to see if Punk follows the script and remains professional. If successful, it would build what we need atm, TRUST, between performers that they don't have to like each other, but they do have to respect each other and the script. From the Punk POV, it also shows to him that AEW is willing to give him another chance in a high profile program. opening the doors to future programs if he behaves. and well, if it fails and he goes off, Jericho won't be taking the PR hit The Elite did because he's way , way beyond that and is pretty much teflon in the industry.
3) Blood feuds sell tickets. Everyone knows these two guys despise each other. Fans have already taken sides in this for a while. People in the IWC like to shit on Jericho but they will also all watch this with baited breath, regardless who's side they are on. Controversy creates cash and both these dudes are controversial af for different reasons. Some people will want to see Jericho get his ass kicked. Others will want Punk to eat crow and eat a pin on a big stage to prove he's a team guy. Everyone watching this will have a strong opinion by the time the feud culminates. This is a co main event potential match at All In, and it will draw big time.
4) It keeps Punk far , far away from the world title while making his return feud still feel big time. Much like the feud with MJF, no title will be involved, but it will be personal as hell. Punk needs to feel like a big deal still, for the money they are paying out. You can't have him go through a bunch of young guys again, that would be boring. He will be coming in with a ton of fanfare. This feud makes sense for that.
5) The Elite can also observe from afar without being involved or dragged through the mud again, and can continue their white hot angle vs BCC. I think cooling that off for a Punk return would be short sighted as hell. You can have your cake and eat it too, and have more than one hot program. Especially with another two hour show
Would love to hear peoples thoughts on this. Tried to be as objective as possible in this analasis.
Cheers!
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