WWE News: Reviews, Analysis and Rumors for Week of Aug. 26

The WWE generally experiences a bit of a lull between SummerSlam and Survivor Series, but thanks to the CM Punk heel turn storyline, things have certainly been interesting as of late. That was especially true this week as Punk executed yet another despicable act in order to cement his status.

Also, the Night of Champions card is beginning to take shape as the WWE Championship, World Heavyweight Championship and Divas Championships matches have been announced. Since every title is going to be contested, though, there is still plenty of work left to be done on that front.

Several things happened outside the ring over the past week as well as a former celebrity WrestleMania participant announced plans to appear at WrestleMania XXIX, a current WWE diva was arrested and a pair of former WWE stars welcomed a child into the world.

Now, with Night of Champions quickly approaching, things promise to get even crazier in the coming weeks.

Here are the biggest news pieces and rumors surrounding the WWE for the week beginning on Aug. 26.

CM Punk Furthers Heel Persona by Beating Down Jerry Lawler

Many believed that CM Punk cemented his heel turn last week when he kicked Jerry "The King" Lawler in the head, but if he didn't, he most certainly did this week. Lawler called out Punk and asked for an apology, but instead Punk challenged the announcer to a match. Lawler eventually accepted reluctantly and things certainly didn't go his way.

Lawler busted Punk open, although there are differing reports about whether Punk bladed or had Lawler do it the hard way. Punk largely controlled the match, though, and ultimately made Lawler tap out with the Anaconda Vise. Punk then locked himself and Lawler inside the cage as he proceeded to elbow Lawler in the head numerous times since he wouldn't admit that Punk was the best in the world. John Cena eventually made the save, but Punk escaped unscathed.

My Take

I was already resigned to Punk being a heel prior to this week, but many weren't convinced. I'm not sure how anyone can call him a face or even a tweener at this point after what he did to Lawler, though.

Some fans seem to hate making heel or face a black-and-white issue, but Punk is undoubtedly a heel and there's no getting around it. I'm fine with that distinction personally, and I love the way that it was accomplished.

Punk could have attacked Cena, but that type of heel turn is old and tired, plus it wouldn't have been as effective. Cena has a ton of detractors as it is, so Punk probably would have been cheered.

Everyone loves a WWE Hall of Famer and legend like Lawler, though, so it was inevitable that Punk was going to get booed and he did. I believe he is now set up for a much more successful heel run than he would have been otherwise.

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Analyzing CM Punk's New Character Direction

Floyd Mayweather Says He Will Be at WrestleMania 29

Boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather wrestled Big Show at WrestleMania XXIV and despite having no professional wrestling experience whatsoever, he acquitted himself quite well and put on one of the best matches of the night.

It shouldn't have come as much of a surprise, though, because Mayweather is an elite athlete with the gift of gab as he has a way of eliciting a response from the fans with every single word he says.

Mayweather was so good in that role that it appears he may be back for more. According to ProWrestling.net, Mayweather said during an interview with Peter Rosenberg on Hot 97 radio that he would be appearing at WrestleMania XXIX in 2013. Mayweather didn't say what his role would be, but he was very matter-of-fact about his involvement.

My Take

Many get upset when celebrities become involved with wrestling, but Mayweather is honestly one of the best-case scenarios when it comes to a celebrity competing or even just appearing at WrestleMania.

Celebrity involvement is a staple of WrestleMania and it is part of the very foundation that WrestleMania was built on, so I have no problem with Mayweather possibly being used.

I did have a problem with pointless celebrities such as Snooki or Maria Menounos competing, but Mayweather is a different story. He has already proven in the past that he can excel in this setting, he's a top-notch athlete in his own right and he has enough wide-ranging appeal that it makes sense for the WWE.

I don't condone the domestic-violence charge that got Mayweather locked up temporarily, but from an entertainment standpoint, you can't deny that Mayweather is fantastic.

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Floyd Mayweather Jr. Announces He'll Make WWE Return at WrestleMania 29

Diva Cameron Arrested and Charged with DUI

In news that seemed to come from out of left field, WWE diva Cameron is in a bit of trouble with the law. According to TMZ, the Funkadactyl was arrested in Tampa Bay on suspicion of a DUI and reportedly blew a .20 on the breathalyzer, which is more than twice the legal limit in Florida. If that wasn't bad enough, Cameron allegedly tried to bribe an officer as well.

She offered a cop $10,000 in order to let her go as she was afraid she would lose her job with the WWE, according to the report. Cameron was released, but her fate has not yet been determined with regards to legal action or her position within the WWE.

My Take

There was a time in the wrestling business when this type of thing would have been laughed off, but with the WWE's focus on PG, kid-friendly programming, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Cameron released.

This is also something that probably would have been covered up in the past and never would have made it out in the media, but it's so tough to keep stories quiet these days, so most wrestling fans are very aware of this situation.

If there is one thing Vince McMahon hates, it's bad publicity, so I'm not liking Cameron's chances. One thing that the former Tough Enough contestant has working against her is that she isn't a particularly good wrestler. She has done well in her role alongside Naomi as one of Brodus Clay's dancers, but she is probably pretty replaceable.

She made a couple stupid mistakes, including trying to bribe an officer, but I feel like she deserves another chance to prove herself. What I think and what the WWE thinks could be two very different things, however.

Read More:

WWE News: Cameron Busted for DUI

Michelle McCool and The Undertaker Have First Child Together

It has been known for quite some time that former WWE diva Michelle McCool was pregnant with the child of WWE legend The Undertaker, and she officially gave birth on Wednesday, according to ProWrestling.net. Kaia Faith Calaway is Taker's fourth child and McCool's first.

The marriage of Taker and McCool has been the brunt of some jokes for quite some time, but it's clear that they are in a very real and committed relationship. As someone who has been a fan of both Taker and McCool over the course of their respective careers, I'm glad that everything appears to have gone well with the birth of the child.

My Take

It's always nice to see people who did a lot for the wrestling business do well and that is the case with The Undertaker and McCool. I think it's great that they're happy together and it's fair to say that Kaia is going to have some seriously good genes when it comes to professional wrestling.

Obviously, this means that neither The Undertaker nor McCool are going to be involved with the WWE any time soon, but they deserve to spend time together as a family with their new baby.

At the same time, it is a bit disappointing that we won't be seeing McCool in the near future. When she retired, I figured that she would eventually be back, and she may be at some point, but she probably wants to be a mother for now.

Taker is likely to start appearing as WrestleMania draws closer, but he won't ever be a full-time guy again anyway. This is bigger than wrestling, though, so congratulations to the proud parents.

Read More:

Michelle McCool and The Undertaker Welcome First Child (via WrestlingInc.com)

CM Punk vs. John Cena Set for Night of Champions

After the way things played out at SummerSlam, most figured that WWE Champion CM Punk and John Cena would go at it one-on-one at Night of Champions, and that was confirmed on Monday as RAW general manager A.J. Lee set the match.

Punk chose Cena as the No. 1 contender last week, but it was under the condition that Cena admitted Punk is the best in the world. Cena didn't do that, but he got the No. 1 contender spot anyway.

There wasn't really any other option than Punk vs. Cena, and I feel like the majority of fans are happy that Big Show is no longer in the picture.

Say what you will about Punk vs. Cena being a repeat from last summer, but they are the top two guys in the company, they are both good on the mic and they put on great matches together, so it should be a fun feud.

My Take

I'm not a fan of Cena's, but not even I can deny that when he is involved in the WWE Championship picture, it feels more important. Punk hasn't main-evented the last 10 pay-per-views despite the fact that he has held the title for nearly 300 days, so getting Cena in the picture is clearly a good move.

Also, Punk needs to establish himself as a heel in order to have success in that role moving forward, and Cena is the perfect opponent.

Punk is searching for respect, and beating the most respected guy in the business in his hometown of Boston would be huge. Some might argue that this feud is nothing more than a rehash, but it's very different than it was a year ago.

After Money in the Bank, Punk became a face, but his character has changed a lot over the past year. Their feud was ended abruptly after last year's SummerSlam, so I'm excited to see a proper resolution this time around.

Read More:

Why CM Punk Must Defeat John Cena Again

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