CM Punk Leaving WWE: 10 Ways His WWE Farewell Can Play Out

Since CM Punk’s incredible promo nearly two weeks ago on Monday Night Raw, the WWE Universe has been all over the map in terms of their feelings regarding Punk’s departure. Is Punk legitimately leaving once his contract expires after the Money in the Bank pay-per-view, or is the whole thing simply a storyline?

At this point, it’s nearly impossible to tell, but good arguments can be made for either outcome. Regardless of whether Punk’s contract issues are legitimate or fabricated, the WWE certainly has a great opportunity to craft an absolutely memorable and impactful angle.

Although Punk’s unhappiness with the WWE has been echoed by many, namely his good friend Colt Cabana, there is still reason to believe that this could all be a work. Never before has the WWE publicly acknowledged a performer’s contract status so openly. Normally, when a wrestler’s contract is up, they just lose a retirement match or something to that effect.

Since Punk’s impending contract expiration leaked into the wrestling media months ago, it’s quite possible that the WWE creative team saw the opportunity for a fresh storyline. For all we know, Punk could already be under a new multi-year deal. No matter how Punk’s departure (or non-departure) plays out, this is certainly one the most compelling angles in recent memory.

Here are 10 ways CM Punk’s WWE farewell could play out.

Cena Beats Punk with Help from Stone Cold

As far-fetched as it may seem, this scenario could accomplish a couple things all wrestling fans are dying to see. Both Punk and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin have engaged into a bit of a mini-feud with each other. The two of them got into a war of words on an episode of Raw last month, and that has carried over to Twitter. Also, Punk wore a Stone Cold shirt, presumably in jest, while delivering his promo two weeks ago.

If nothing else, Punk’s straight-edge character and Austin’s beer-drinking, middle-finger-flipping character were made to feud. Austin hasn’t given any indication that he wants to wrestle another match, but he has said in the past that he still has a couple good years of wrestling left in him.

Also, Austin’s role with the company has increased heavily over the past few months thanks to his position as host of Tough Enough and frequent guest appearances on Raw.

If Austin obliged, it’s quite possible that Punk was offered a match against Austin at WrestleMania in order to convince him to stay. If Austin interferes on Cena’s behalf at Money in the Bank, it could start a slow-burning rivalry between Punk and Austin that comes to a head at WrestleMania. The loss could also prompt Punk to take a couple months off before returning to start his program with Austin.

Cena Beats Punk, but a Double Turn Occurs

This scenario is one that could involve Punk staying in the WWE, even after a loss. Since Money in the Bank will be taking place in Punk’s hometown of Chicago, the crowd is sure to be very partisan in his favor, regardless of the fact that he is the heel. Because of the support for Punk, this match could be reminiscent of the “Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart match at WrestleMania XIII.

In that match, Austin entered as a heel, although he was beginning to garner a lot of fan support because of his devil-may-care attitude. The same thing is happening for Punk as he has essentially been the fan favorite in his recent matches against John Cena. Hart went on to win the contest at WrestleMania XIII, but Austin gained points with the fans by refusing to tap out while locked into the sharpshooter. After passing out, Hart continued to assault him.

Austin then went on to become a megastar and Hart soon became the leader of the heel Hart Foundation stable. Perhaps Cena could lock in the STF in the latter stages of his match with Punk. Like Austin, Punk could refuse to give up, but pass out from the pain. In the heat of the moment, Cena would then try to teach Punk a lesson. While unlikely due to each man being extremely over in their current positions, Cena could turn heel to freshen up his character, while Punk could turn face and become appreciative of the fans’ support of him.

The Nexus Turns on Punk and Helps Cena

With Punk’s recent feud with Cena dominating the WWE at the moment, his leadership of Nexus has been pushed into the background. For the most part, David Otunga, Michael McGillicutty and Mason Ryan have been on their own for the past month. A storyline could easily be crafted where Nexus feels abandoned by Punk and wants to teach him a lesson.

This wouldn’t necessarily lead to a Cena heel turn, although it could. More than likely, it would allow the Nexus members to step out from Punk’s shadow and become faces. This would probably be a welcome change for many fans as Nexus has grown extremely stale since Punk took control. They would finally be allowed to have their own personas and perhaps grow as superstars.

In all likelihood, this would lead to Punk’s permanent departure from the WWE, though he could also take some time off and return to wage war against his former protégés. This may not exactly be the most satisfying end to Punk’s WWE tenure, but it’s certainly a direction I can see the WWE going in.

The Nexus Helps Punk Beat Cena

While I can see Nexus turning on Punk, I can just as easily see them helping Punk win the WWE Championship. Many have essentially forgotten the fact that Punk is the leader of Nexus due to his recent individual success. Nexus getting involved in such a high-profile match could possibly put the group back on the map as a legitimate force in the WWE.

With Cena in complete control of the match, the Nexus could come out and distract him, leading to a win for Punk. Perhaps Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater could come out as well, reprising their membership in Nexus. This would help strengthen the group a bit and give it some renewed credibility. Although Nexus seems to be on the verge of dying, this type of thing could completely redeem it.

Best of all, this storyline would almost have to lead to Punk staying with the company as the WWE Champion. He could explain his threats to leave the WWE by saying he was simply trying to take the focus off of Nexus and project it onto himself. He could then say that he has been working on strengthening Nexus over the past month and that it’s better than ever. Some may be upset about the Nexus storyline continuing, but that would likely be offset by the jubilation of Punk staying.

Cena Beats Punk with Help from Vince McMahon

Although this would involve the WWE recycling an old angle in a way, it would be the perfect ending to Punk’s tenure if executed properly. Just like “The Montreal Screwjob” at the 1997 Survivor Series that saw Vince McMahon screw Bret Hart out of the WWF Championship by awarding Shawn Michaels the win, McMahon could screw Punk at Money in the Bank.

The main difference between the two instances would be that while “The Montreal Screwjob” was an authentic elaborate plan to get the title off Hart, “The Chicago Screwjob” would be a work designed to look like a legitimate blindside of Punk. This could be used effectively because there is a kayfabe threat of Punk taking the WWE Championship to other wrestling companies, just like there was a real threat that Hart would bring the title to WCW.

Late in the match, with Punk locked into the STF, McMahon could come to ringside and demand that the match ends, awarding the win to Cena. This could either lead to Cena aligning with Vince as a heel, or vowing to stop Vince’s tyrannical ways. This storyline would probably only be used if Punk is, in fact, leaving the WWE for good.

Punk Beats Cena with Help from Vince McMahon

While Vince McMahon may help Cena beat Punk at Money in the Bank, there is also a possibility he might screw Cena and align himself with Punk. This could be executed in a “Montreal Screwjob” manner with McMahon demanding an end to the match when Punk has Cena in either the Anaconda Vice or the STF. This would certainly be a big swerve, but it would make perfect sense.

McMahon could say that he was in cahoots with Punk all along and that he authorized him to give his promo in order to throw the WWE Universe off their tracks. McMahon and Cena obviously have some storyline heat with each other after Cena called McMahon out for suspending Punk. McMahon could tell Cena that nobody undermines his authority, including the WWE Champion. This would lead to Cena being “fired” and Punk becoming “corporate,” much like The Rock did in 1998.

Cena could eventually return from his firing and play the same role as “Stone Cold” Steve Austin once did, attempting to take down Vince and his patsies. Punk forming an alliance with Vince would be extremely unexpected, especially after he essentially trashed him in his promo two weeks ago. This could take him to a new level, however, and keep Cena fresh without turning him heel.

Punk Beats Cena and Leaves with the Title

This would be a very interesting angle because it would open quite a few possibilities, the most interesting being Punk taking the WWE Championship to Ring of Honor. As most probably remember, Punk mentioned the possibility of taking the title to ROH in his promo. This, of course, would be contingent upon the WWE and ROH reaching some sort of partnership agreement.

Punk defending the WWE Championship in a different company would undoubtedly set the wrestling world abuzz. Vince McMahon could attempt to get the title back on numerous occasions with Punk resisting each time. Eventually, he could reinstate Cena and lure Punk back to the WWE with a lucrative monetary offer, in which case Cena beats Punk and regains the title. This could either lead to Punk staying in the WWE and trying to regain the title, or leaving the company for good.

Another possible outcome of Punk taking the belt is an introduction of a new belt. The current spinner design is a bit played out and this would give the WWE a reason to redesign the WWE Championship. After the new belt comes into play, Punk could return to the WWE with the real title and declare himself the true WWE Champion. He could then enter a feud with whomever is in possession of the new title.

Punk Loses To Cena and Leaves the WWE for Good

Without question, this is the scenario most dreaded by nearly every WWE fan. Not only would Punk suffer an embarrassing defeat in front of his hometown crowd, but he would also be done with the WWE. If Punk’s contract situation is completely legitimate, then this has a high probability of happening. Of course, we have no real way of knowing for sure at this point.

If the sentiments from Punk’s promo are representative of the way he actually feels and if Colt Cabana’s insistence that Punk doesn’t want to be in the WWE are true, then this may very well occur. Obviously this wouldn’t be the most creative way to send off Punk, but it would certainly be the easiest, and at times, the WWE seems to prefer doing things the easy way.

It would definitely be sad to see Punk go out so unceremoniously. When you consider how hard he has worked for the company during his tenure, he deserves to at least go out with a bang. The “Chicago Screwjob” idea would accomplish that, and if Punk is in fact done with the WWE, I would much rather they do it that way than a routine loss to Cena.

Punk Beats Cena, but the MITB Winner Cashes in on Him

A scenario in which Punk beats Cena only to lose the title immediately after would produce a nice swerve. There would be a lot of moving parts if this were to happen, but it would certainly deliver the shock value a lot of fans are clamoring for. Of course it would be preferable if a face cashed in on Punk, but with most of the top Money in the Bank contenders being heel, that could suffice as well.

Rey Mysterio would obviously make the most sense in terms of who might cash in on Punk since they have a history together. Also, although it may not be possible due to the fact that he’s on SmackDown, Wade Barrett could possibly cash in on Punk as a measure of revenge for wresting control of Nexus from him. Barrett’s move to Raw could easily be explained by saying he was traded or something of that nature.

This scenario would also leave Cena in flux. Since Vince McMahon said Cena would be “fired” if he lost to Punk, he would presumably be handed his pink slip. With someone cashing in on Punk, however, the WWE Championship would stay in the WWE. This could lead to Cena being reinstated on a technicality.

As for Punk, he could ride off into the sunset as is being predicted, or he could take some time off and return to feud with whomever took the title from him.

Punk Loses To Cena and Takes a Hiatus from the WWE

The execution of this angle would be contingent on Punk already having a new contract in place, or him being willing to negotiate down the line. Punk may have signed an extension already and losing to Cena at Money in the Bank would allow him to take a break, which is something he has said he’s wanted to do. Otherwise, WWE officials could try to negotiate with him during his hiatus.

If Punk eventually reaches a new deal, he could make his return to the WWE as an intruder of sorts, much like the nWo in WCW. Of course, in actuality, he would already have a contract, but it would be made to look as if he was trying to invade the WWE. He could then enter back into a feud with Cena and attempt to earn a contract with the WWE, as well as win the WWE Championship.

I think this is probably the most likely of any of the scenarios that have been posed. It is clear that Punk feels a bit burned out as he has been an ironman for the WWE. He rarely misses a date due to an injury or other issue, and could really use some time off from the WWE’s grueling schedule. This would allow Punk to return reinvigorated and better than ever.