CM Punk...the Best Thing Going on the Smackdown Side

For the past few weeks, maybe even months, I have read from many Internet Wrestling Community people that feel CM Punk is either getting de-pushed or that his current gimmick is taking things a bit too far. I, for one, do not agree with those statements.

Many fans believe the rumor that Punk is not in the main event scene because when Undertaker talked to Punk about the way he dressed, he attacked the way Cena was dressed. 'Taker didn’t like the attitude, so this is what caused Punk to get lower on the ladder. However, there is another rumor going around that there are many people that do not like Punk. Ever since it became known that Punk was going out with Lita, people have been spreading lies about Punk, which is how we got the 'Taker rumor. It is an interesting theory.

Take the R-Truth versus CM Punk feud. Many feel that Punk should still have been champion and see Punk wrestling Truth as a way to give him a reality check and also put Truth over. However, this never really got any ending of any kind. Maybe officials decided Truth wasn’t ready or didn’t impress them enough. Maybe the fans just weren’t as into it as the officials would have liked. Whatever the case, the two never finished what they started and since then, Punk hasn’t been in any sort of real feud. Is that really a problem, though?

Sure, he could use a feud, but against who? Not everyone can be in the Main Event spot. Who is he supposed to feud with? The next top face, John Morrison, is already in a feud. Who else? Matt Hardy? I know there are a lot of Hardy fans out there, but Matt hasn't done anything on Smackdown. Feuding with Matt would be look as going down the ladder. After getting rid of Jeff, he is now supposed to feud with the less talented and less successful brother? The only other idea would be Kane, but is Kane really a face or a heel? I'm always confused by what WWE is doing with him.

As for him be taken down a notch on the ladder, did anyone watch the last Smackdown taping, though I guess I could see why people might not have thanks to them getting pushed back to midnight, but that isn't the case. His segment had to be separated by a TV commercial. I believe he had a good 15 minutes of TV time, at least. That is amazing time to be on television to continue to get over and promote himself. Guys would kill for the amount of time Punk is getting inside the ring. That, my friends, is not a de-push.

The other side of the argument is the straight edge gimmick and putting a religious spin to it. So what? Anyone remember God/Michaels vs. the McMahons’? How about Chris Jericho coming back into wrestling and proclaiming that he was the Savior and all that video hype that had Christian wording in it? And what about JBL calling himself a Wrestling GOD? I’m a Christian and was way more offended by JBL calling himself a God than what I am with Punk. Yet, for some reason, no one talks about that. They just want to attack Punk.

As for the sXe gimmick, I enjoy it. Punk has played this off as face and heel way before he came to the WWE. This is his lifestyle and what he believes in. I’m sure if he was against this, if he felt it was making a mockery of something he so surely believes in, he wouldn’t do it. But he hasn’t and I feel he is quite enjoying himself. And for that reason alone, we should be ok with it.

People say that he should be making a better light of this because we are in a PG Era and that kids should think what Punk says as a good thing. But let’s be honest. Fans want the rebel. Anyone remember Stone Cold Steve Austin? Fans liked him because he drank beer, cursed, flipped people off, and didn’t listen to authorities. One of the greatest matches ever, better than 'Taker vs. Michaels at WrestleMania XXV, was when Austin fought Bret and Ken Shamrock was the guest referee. That night was magical as we had a double switch. Hart walked in as a face, but left as a heel while Austin walked in as a heel and left as the face. Fans just don’t go along with the clean cut guy. Ask John Cena. He’s pretty clean cut and has a good image, but fans refuse to get behind him. Fans like the rebel.

Now, some might say the reason they are against Punk was because he cashed in on Jeff Hardy. However, if anyone remembers WM XXV, they would have heard the start of the fans turning on Punk. When Punk brought that briefcase down, the fans booed Punk. They didn’t want him to win and that small seed started the turn. Cashing in on Jeff was just the icing on the cake.

Also, I’ll be the first to admit I hated CM Punk when he first got into the WWE. I felt he was overrated and bland. His title run was really weak and just made him look really bad. If he had this gimmick as a face, he wouldn’t be as over as he is today. Fans would continue to view him as bland and weak. There would be no spark in him, nothing that stands him out. But as a heel, he can do many things with it and this Savior angle is the best thing going in the WWE right now.

This gimmick is giving him a lot of time on the camera and to create a character. I would love to see a few of his disciples show up on a weekly basis and show the changes that have been made into their lives. I want to see the transformation and what it means to have their head shaved and what Punk means to them. Because this is all about Punk getting over. He’s creating a cult, something that the Undertaker has done with the Ministry of Darkness maybe ten or so years ago, and really going all out with it. I for one am hooked to this and if I didn’t like going out for a drink here or there, I might turn to being a straight edge society member because this is how hooked CM Punk has got me with this awesome character. And I shouldn’t say character because this is CM Punk, just turned up a notch or three. It makes for great television.

This is perfect for him. He's getting plenty of TV time so fans don't forget about him. He's still winning matches. He may even become the new Tag Team Champion, which isn't a knock at all considering the last two teams to have had the title. And a rub by DX would really put the team over as DX hardly ever puts over anyone. Even if they don't win, once the 'Taker vs. Mysterio match is over, Punk will probably get the guy that doesn't go home as the champion and after that feud, who knows, another title run could be in the books. I, for one, am going to continue to see how far Punk takes this and enjoy one of the most creative storylines the WWE has given us in quite some time.