WWE Rumors: John Cena, CM Punk, SmackDown Spoilers and Wednesday's WWE News

One thing that WWE seems to be doing right now is appealing to the Internet fan base. It's not a complete shift to the IWC, but instead of trying to drum up interest in a lot of the storylines that need help they want to go for that element of surprise. 

It has worked well in that specific moment—the return of Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman, etc.—and it does generate a lot of buzz on the Internet. But it is doing nothing to move ratings—save your comments, because I know you don't like to hear it—which is an indicator of how much actual interest there is in the product. 

Problems or not, as long as we get one or two good things to take away from RAW and SmackDown each week, that is its own victory. 

Speaking of victories, here are some winning news, notes and rumors from behind the scenes in WWE. 

JOHN CENA VOWS TO RETURN NEXT WEEK

John Cena, who did manage to show up on RAW for a dark match, took to Twitter to alert the world that he would be on RAW next week to continue his epic feud with John Lauriniaitis. 

"

Cant heal arm fast enuff, but i have mastered high speed travel. Elbow looks like football, but i WILL BE AT #Raw next week!

— John Cena (@JohnCena) May 8, 2012"

Question on Everybody's Mind: Will Johnny Ace humiliate Cena again?

Our Take: If you want to try building any interest in this match, Laurinaitis has to be the focal point of the feud. He needs to look like someone who can compete on the same level as Cena, which isn't going to happen but has to be tried because WWE backed itself into a corner. 

Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Super-Cena Performances

WWE would have been a lot better served to play off the "Cena leaving" angle that he teased at Extreme Rules, but we all know why he is back and perfectly healthy so soon and locked in a feud with John Laurinaitis. 

Deeper Dive

Will Johnny Ace Ever Be As Influential As Mr. McMahon On TV? (B/R)

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CM PUNK FEELS THE WRATH OF "THE POPE"

The artist formerly known as Elijah Burke was not too thrilled with CM Punk's Twitter rant about the topic of same-sex marriage and decided to chime in with his two cents on the matter. 

"

So humored by the hypocrisy of those who wanna play GOD, or change what GOD intended. You wanna evolve? Seek GOD! Hows that for change?~PHS

— The Black Pope (@DaBlackPope) May 7, 2012"

"

@thelomdr While Pope don't condone same sex marraige, I respect ones right to do as they please; NC protecting Truth??? 4 thumbs up!~PHS

— The Black Pope (@DaBlackPope) May 7, 2012"

Question on Everybody's Mind: Is Punk going to bite the bait?

Our Take: There is talk of a real-life rift between the two from their days in WWE/ECW, but given the hot water Punk found himself in for his remarks on Monday, he is probably going to be silenced for a bit. 

Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Twitter Wars

This is a sensitive topic that everyone feels very passionately about, one way or the other. At least Punk and Pope are willing to put themselves out there and be open to praise and ridicule that will come with offering their thoughts. 

Deeper Dive

More On Punk vs. Pope (B/R)

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****WARNING*****

THE FOLLOWING SECTION CONTAINS SPOILERS FROM THIS WEEK'S SMACKDOWN TAPINGS. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, SKIP AHEAD.

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BOGUS FINISHES RUN AMOK ON SMACKDOWN

In keeping with the time-honored tradition of not putting anyone over, SmackDown this week features four matches that all end in a disqualification. The main event features Sheamus "defeating" Chris Jericho when Alberto Del Rio attacks the world champion. 

Question on Everybody's Mind: Why does WWE fear putting anyone over?

Our Take: Rather than try to build up one person who looks like a threat to the champion, or make the champion look dominant, WWE has to keep everyone on the same wavelength to make sure no one really gets over. 

Hype Meter: 3 out of 5 Crap Finishes

We talk about how WWE needs to get new stars over all the time, but when push comes to shove the company will never pull the trigger because Vince McMahon is so scared of Cena or Orton being devalued instead of thinking that someone else will be elevated. It's so sad. 

Deeper Dive

Complete Spoilers for SmackDown (NoDQ)

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Check back for more on the WWE as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Wrestling Page to get your fill of the WWE. For more WWE talk, check out Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics you just can’t miss. This week's special guest was former WWE Champion John Bradshaw Layfield.

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