WWE Rumors: CM Punk, the Rock, Shawn Michaels and Monday's Top WWE Buzz
The go-home show for any pay-per-view brings with it increased expectations. Even for a B-level show, Raw has an obligation to leave the audience with a hook that will draw as many eyeballs to the pay-per-view.
That pressure increases exponentially with a major pay-per-view like SummerSlam, because this is the kind of event that WWE needs to be successful, both for momentum and the stockholders' bottom line.
We shall see what WWE has in store for the SummerSlam go-home Raw tonight, but in anticipation for the show, here are the latest news, notes and rumors from the wrestling world.
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CM PUNK'S DOLL COLLECTION MAKES ROCK ANGRY
Yesterday, as has become a once-a-month tradition, the Rock hosted a chat via Twitter. CM Punk decided to chime in with something for the Great One to think about while he is off filming the new Fast and Furious movie.
"@therock #rocktalk twitter.com/CMPunk/status/…
— CM Punk (@CMPunk) August 12, 2012"
Question on Everybody's Mind: WWE has to go with Rock-Punk at the Royal Rumble, right?
Our Take: Given all the polling and interest in seeing those two do battle, it would make sense for that to be the WWE title match at the January extravaganza. All signs point to Rock and John Cena at WrestleMania, which may or may not light the world on fire, but it is what WWE wants.
Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Go To Sleeps
CM Punk is so much better as a heel. He isn't shackled by the need to make people cheer him, nor does he have to spot goofy catchphrases he used to despise. If he is allowed to shine, he can take the next step.
Deeper Dive
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SHAWN MICHAELS TO GET PHYSICAL ON RAW
It is almost like Shawn Michaels never left. After making an appearance on Raw 1,000, then again last week, HBK returns to Raw to further the story-line between Triple H and Brock Lesnar, who has promised he will see Michaels before SummerSlam.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Did WWE turn this into a triple-threat match and not tell anyone?
Our Take: It certainly seems that way, though if I had to guess, I would say that WWE just doesn't trust Lesnar as a drawing card. As stupid as that sounds, why else would WWE use all these outside forces to try and sell what should be a simple match to sell?
Hype Meter: 2 out of 5 Special Appearances
Maybe there is some great hook that WWE can use to capture exactly what Triple H and Brock Lesnar will be in six days. If you think that, you probably also think that Santino Marella is a great wrestler and Zack Ryder still has some kind of future.
Deeper Dive
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KURT ANGLE MAY OR MAY NOT BE IN WWE '13
Vince McMahon probably isn't even aware of the existence of a wrestling company called TNA, so he must assume Kurt Angle is unemployed. That might be the best explanation for the rumors that Angle would be appearing in the WWE '13 video game.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Is THQ going to get the former Olympic champion?
Our Take: As much fun as it would be to have Angle back in WWE in some form, don't count on it. Reportedly, nothing he does got motion captured for the game, so THQ would have to use an old, outdated copy to do it.
Hype Meter: 4 out of 5 Special Exemptions
Plus, if Angle were added to the game, the constant chatter about him coming back to WWE would start again. Unless he gets a deal like what Shawn Michaels had—show up at Raw and pay-per-views—his body and mind couldn't handle the WWE schedule again.
Deeper Dive
Update on Kurt Angle and WWE '13 (PW Insider h/t NoDQ)
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VICKIE GUERRERO VERBALLY SLAPS KEVIN NASH
The Kevin Nash comments about Eddie Guerrero, unsurprisingly, gained a lot of traction after they were released. Even if they were just meant to troll, they did not sit well with Eddie's widow and current WWE manager, Vickie, who said this via Twitter.
"Comments from @realkevinnash, "inlaws", or anyone else about Eddie, me, or my girls, just shows how insecure & unhappy they live
— Vickie Guerrero (@ExcuseMeWWE) August 11, 2012"
Question on Everybody's Mind: Is Nash an idiot?
Our Take: He's not an idiot in the traditional sense. Nash knows how to work a crowd, but he is nothing more than a troll. He wants to say something to get your dander up, no matter how stupid or idiotic it sounds coming out of his mouth.
Hype Meter: 3 out of 5 Verbal SmackDowns
Vickie Guerrero is absolutely right about Nash being insecure, though you could say that about 99 percent of all wrestlers past and present. They need to say things to stay relevant, which is all Nash is trying to do.
Deeper Dive
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