WWE Rumors: CM Punk, Brock Lesnar, Shawn Michaels and Tuesday's Top WWE Buzz

After weeks of speculation, WWE finally went there with Brock Lesnar and Shawn Michaels. It was an interesting go-home angle for SummerSlam, though whether that will be enough to save what has been a lackluster build for the second-biggest show of the year is yet to be determined. 

Lesnar and Paul Heyman are very good together, but nothing else has really clicked. The addition of Michaels took more focus away from Triple H and Lesnar, though I suppose you can see what the final angle was supposed to accomplish. 

What's so strange is how this just feels like a one-match pay-per-view. SummerSlam just doesn't feel like a big deal anymore. Even the WWE Championship match is nothing, which is astounding considering who is in it. 

We will have the latest news and rumors coming out of Raw, as well as all the other buzz you need to know. 

CM PUNK CALLS TNA "INDY WRESTLING"; KURT ANGLE OVERREACTS

CM Punk did a Q&A recently when he said that if he could wrestle anyone from an independent promotion it would be Samoa Joe, who works for TNA. Kurt Angle, in typical fashion, heard this and blew a gasket because that's what Kurt Angle does (via Twitter).

"

Punk wants to Say Tna Is An Indy League? I Was On top in Wwe when You Were trying to Get a Job Anywhere. It Was My Choice to go to Tna....

— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) August 14, 2012"

Question on Everybody's Mind: Is Kurt Angle the greatest overreactor ever?

Our Take: Ever is a long time. He might not even be the greatest overreactor in TNA, but he needs to get over this inferiority complex he has in TNA.. If he is happy there, then talk about that. Most people would tell you that TNA is a better product than WWE right now, so who cares?

Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Cross-Promotion Feuds

Punk is also something of a troll. He is going to speak his mind on any subject, but he also just wants to get a reaction out of people. He is very good at his job, as evidenced by the explosion from Angle. 

Deeper Dive

More On Punk-Angle (Wrestle Zone)

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IS BROCK LESNAR BEING USED TO FURTHER A SHAWN MICHAELS ANGLE?

This isn't exactly a rumor per se, but rather a question I keep thinking about. WWE loves to use matches to set up more matches instead of actually paying off the original match. Adding Michaels to the Lesnar-Triple H mix makes no sense, unless WWE is trying to set something up with HBK in the future. 

Question on Everybody's Mind: What is WWE setting up?

Our Take: Based on Monday's angle, and some old rumors, you could see WWE going with Triple H and Michaels for, say, WrestleMania. I have no interest in that feud because it has been done to death about 6,234 times, but why else bring Michaels in?

Hype Meter: 3 out of 5 WrestleMania Matches

This could all just end up being talk, as WWE could end up putting Lesnar over huge at SummerSlam. Of course, with him battling Triple H, I wouldn't bet anything on that. I think that's what needs to happen, but we shall see where everything goes. 

Deeper Dive

Why HBK Must Screw Triple H at SummerSlam (B/R)

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ABRAHAM WASHINGTON IS A GENIUS, MAYBE

Abraham Washington has had a bad month. He made a bad joke about Kobe Bryant on Raw two weeks ago, then was fired from WWE last week. He has been vocal about the hypocrisy in WWE and, specifically, from Vince McMahon. Reportedly, AW's ranting could be a good thing for him, as Vinny Mac loves people who "fight back."

Question on Everybody's Mind: Will WWE bring back AW?

Our Take: I like Washington. He is a really good talker and, in the right role, can be very effective. I just don't see what purpose he really has in WWE. McMahon hates managers, which is basically all Washington can do. I'd be surprised to see him back, for a number of reasons. 

Hype Meter: 2 out of 5 Twitter Rants

Even if Washington doesn't get hired, I love that he called McMahon out for all his hypocrisy. You could go on for days about how dirty Vinny Mac is as a promoter and person, but former employees will rarely do it because they hope to come back. 

Deeper Dive

Why AW's Ranting Could Work For Him (Wrestling Observer h/t Wrestling Inc)

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 A NEW WWE CHAMPIONSHIP COMING?

Fans and wrestlers have lamented the awfulness that is the design of the current WWE championship ever since John Cena debuted it all those years ago. CM Punk has been talking about the possibility of a new design for a long time, and apparently he recently said that it could be coming soon. 

Question on Everybody's Mind: Can we burn the old belt in a ceremony on Raw?

Our Take: That would be the best moment in recent Raw history. I can't say it would be better than the beer truck or something along those lines, but as far as this generation of Raw, it would be so great. 

Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 New Belts

In a weird way, I think the spinner belt actually hurt the credibility of the championship. It was such a goofy design that no one was going to look at it without laughing. It's not a huge deal, but it does make a difference. 

Deeper Dive

CM Punk Comments on WWE Title (Wrestling Rambles)

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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.

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