CM Punk: Can He Turn on WWE's Babyfaces Without Turning on the Fans?

Perhaps the real question is "can CM Punk turn on WWE's babyfaces without the FANS turning on HIM?"

A year ago, the WWE's fanbase voiced their support for CM Punk because he was willing to take a microphone and let the world know exactly what he thought about the WWE, his bosses, and the frustration surrounding his place in the company.

Punk became the second biggest babyface in the company and, for the past nine months, has been WWE Champion. In a day still dominated by John Cena, and an era where championships are traded with little care for their value, that is a hell of an accomplishment.

In recent weeks, however, the CM Punk character has begun to change. He has not played to the fans. He has not smiled or made the goofy jokes usually associated with Cena. Instead, Punk has taken to the microphone to address what he believes to be a lack of respect for him as the company's champion.

He has a point.

Since winning the title last November, CM Punk has been featured in the main event (the final match on pay-per-view) only once, that being at December's TLC show. He has constantly been overshadowed by WWE's resident golden boy, John Cena. And the fact that he has held the title for as long as he has is treated as a complete afterthought.

So now Punk has changed his attitude, once again to get the attention of those distracted by the smile and bright T-shirts of John Cena and the massive size of the Big Show.

In the coming weeks, CM Punk will continue to voice his displeasure with the lack of respect shown to him as WWE Champion. And he will step on quite a few toes to do so.

Yes, Punk can turn on the WWE's top babyfaces without turning on the fans. He never asked the fans to cheer for him in the first place.

Those that did, those fans that started the major babyface push for Punk, are the same fans that will continue to support him regardless of whether he's looked at as a "good guy" or a "bad guy."

As for the rest of them, perhaps those fans should take a look into the mirror before charging that anyone has turned their back on them.